Is dental care free?

[HeartOfGlass]

Hi,

I moved away 18 months ago and I'm moving back home to have the baby. I have had problems with my wisdom teeth for the last year and have been seeing a dentist in London. I can't get an appointment with them in my time off which is in the next two weeks so I called my old dentist to get back with their surgery as I will be moving back home anyway and they had a convienent appointment time.

Anyway, I called them and they still had my notes etc and they booked in the appointment. The receptionist told me that I would now have to pay as I was in full time education before but I was now an independent patient. I said that was fine and the said that I was 20 weeks pregnant so how much would it be and the receptionist told me... £35?!?

I've had free prescriptions and stuff so far with my maternity exemption card so I'm a bit confused?

Does anyone know if I should get it for free or not??

Thanks,

Berry

 

[1sttimemum]

you should get it free. i dnt no if the practice being private or not will affect that or no

 

[Meggiewoo]

I'm sure you do if you are an NHS patient.

I certainly do.

Kim x x x x x

 

[Becky]

My dentist is private and said he has to charge - but if you're with an NHS dentist it should be free.

 

[HeartOfGlass]

Hi,

Thanks for that. So I just need to find a dentist that takes NHS patients in the area. I'll start on Monday.

Thanks again,

Berry

 

[kalia]

Just to warn you, I don't know what it is like in London but up here we are on a waiting lists along with thousands of others! I have no idea how many years it will be before we get an NHS dentist. However, wisdom tooth removal can be a hospital thing - OH's dentist referred him and he will get them out for free in February after being on a waiting list for over 18 months. He did have to pay for the dentist appointment though.

 

[KikoDinoGirl]

Hiya Heart of Glass...you can look for local NHS dentists on www.nhs.uk which should give you a lift. I was really worried I wouldn't get a dentist, but the first one I telephoned were taking on NHS patients again. I had my appointment today and just took in my maternity card thing for the press prescriptions and filled out a form. I had my teeth cleaned and everything so happy.

 

[firstangel]

I have a private dentist and it was Free !

You do not have to be with an NHS dentist to get free dental care on your maternity certificate as far as I know ! .


My dentist also told me to take advantage of the free treatment, plus clean ups with the hygenist and make as many appointments as I liked !

 

[JayK2387]

Im with a private dentist and she told me that it is the dentist descretion (sp) as to who they treat as an NHS patient. I was lucky and she told me that as I was a loyal customer she'd see me FOC lol xxx