“I have recently signed up for NHS work, I need two white fillings – which I know are not covered by the NHS charges – but one side tooth has cracked, it already had a root canal filling from years ago, and is not suitable for filling. I have [...]]]> Email received from a concerned patient

“I have recently signed up for NHS work, I need two white fillings – which I know are not covered by the NHS charges – but one side tooth has cracked, it already had a root canal filling from years ago, and is not suitable for filling. I have been told I need a crown – but it will cost me £400+.”

“My dental practice has some leaflets that suggest some crown work IS covered by the NHS, since this work is not cosmetic but necessary, can you advise me of the situation and whether this crown can be covered NHS work. the Tooth is on the right hand side, four teeth in from the front tooth, so it shows when I smile.”

There is just no incentive for NHS dentists to do complex and time consuming work such as root fillings. In fact doing root canal work can actually penalise an NHS dentist. A NHS [...]]]> There are lots of stories in the press this week reporting that tooth extractions have soared by 30% in four years. What a surprise!

There is just no incentive for NHS dentists to do complex and time consuming work such as root fillings. In fact doing root canal work can actually penalise an NHS dentist. A NHS dentist has to achieve his UDA target (he is contracted by his Primary Care Trust to do a set number of UDAs, units of dental activity) and because he is allocated the same UDA for doing an extraction (which might take a few minutes) or root canal work (which might take 1-2 hours) the NHS dentist is of course going to suggest an extraction to the patient.

So what is happening? Patients are having their teeth removed unnecessarily when more complex treatment could have saved the teeth. What a scandal.

The report mentions that the “inexperience and pay structure of NHS dentists” are the cause of a “steep rise in hospital admissions” for “tooth extractions” and that more people are travelling to Europe for cheaper dental treatment. [...]]]> See this article in the Independent on the increase in hospital admissions for tooth extractions.

The report mentions that the “inexperience and pay structure of NHS dentists” are the cause of a “steep rise in hospital admissions” for “tooth extractions” and that more people are travelling to Europe for cheaper dental treatment.