Dental advice wanted – Hygienist not available on the NHS
I recently joined a NHS dentist and attended my first appointment last week. The appointment took approx 10 minutes and I was advised that I did not require any dental work but had quite a bit of tartar build up and would need to make an appointment with the hygienist.
When I tried to make the appointment I was advised that the charge would be £50 as the hygienist comes under cosmetic work and therefore not covered under the NHS. I stated that I didn’t see how removing a tartar build up counted as cosmetic work but was advised that they would remove any stains so therefore it is cosmetic work. They were very polite but are refusing to provide me with any hygienist work under the NHS .. is this correct?
What do I do now?
A “Band 1 Course of treatment” is £17 and includes a Scale and Polish “if needed”. This would mostly likely not be with the hygienist but with the dentist.
Was the first appointment an NHS appointment? Did you pay £17?
Band 1 includes any necessary scaling and polishing, they are being dishonest with you. I would advise you ring your local PCT and ask to speak to someone related to dental. Scaling is not cosmetic and they are wrong to imply this is the case.