 |
Patients rights |
| |
 |
What treatment am I entitled to? |
 |
If you are a regular patient with an NHS practice, your dentist must offer you any treatment needed to make you 'orally fit'. In other words, your mouth should be free from disease at the end of the course of treatment.
Some NHS treatments carry a like for like replacement for one year. This means that, if necessary, the treatment can be done again free of charge - as long as it is exactly the same treatment, using the same material and with the same dentist.
Cosmetic treatments are not available on the NHS because they are not necessary to make you 'orally fit'. For example, you cannot have tooth-coloured fillings and tooth-coloured crowns on back teeth on the NHS, but you can have silver amalgam fillings and gold or silver crowns. However, if you wish to have tooth-coloured fillings or tooth-coloured crowns on the back teeth, you can opt to have these carried out on a private basis, without affecting your NHS status.
Private dentists will be able to give you any treatment needed to make your mouth disease free. They will also be able to provide most cosmetic treatments. Cosmetic treatments are more about improving your appearance than making you 'orally fit'. Whatever the treatment, you and your dentist will need to agree a treatment plan that is in your best interests.
If your dentist cannot provide you with the treatment recommended, for example, orthodontic treatment or a general anaesthetic, you are entitled to be referred to another practice or hospital for this treatment.
A few private dentists offer guarantees. Nevertheless, if any treatment is of unsatisfactory quality you are entitled under The Sales and Supply of Services Act to either a refund or the cost of replacement treatment. The Dental Complaints Service has been set up to liaise between a private patient and the dentist to try to reach a solution that they are both happy with. You can contact The Dental Complaints Service www.dentalcomplaints.org.uk or 0845 6120 540.
To make a complaint about NHS treatment, you will need to contact The Patients Advice and Liaison Services at your local Primary Care Trust or Health Board.
Back to top
|
|
|
| |
|
When do I pay for my treatment? |
|
Some practices will allow you to pay at the end of a course of treatment, and others will ask you to pay for all treatment at the start. It is quite common to be asked to pay for the treatment done at each appointment.
NHS rules allow dentists to insist that all treatment is paid for in advance if they wish. To save any embarrassment you should ask your dentist what the arrangements are for payment.
Back to top
|
|
|
| |
|
Should the dentist give me an estimate? |
|
NHS dentists should give you a written estimate for any extensive
course of treatment, or whenever you ask for one.
Private dentists are not covered by the same rules, but they should give you a written estimate if you ask.
If your dentist does not tell you the cost of private treatment until the end of the treatment, and you feel that it is too expensive, you can query the cost. The law says that if you and the dentist have not agreed the cost of treatment beforehand, you have to pay a reasonable fee for the treatment provided. However, to avoid any misunderstandings or a dispute over what is a reasonable fee it is a good idea to get a written estimate from your dentist before starting any course of treatment. This should give details of the treatment recommended and the cost of the treatment.
Back to top
|
|
|
| |
|
Can I ask for a second opinion? |
|
Before starting any treatment make sure that you understand
the treatment the dentist has recommended. The dentist should explain to you the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed treatment and any alternatives that are available. With this information you are better placed to make a decision about whether or not to have the treatment.
If you are still unsure, you may want to get a second opinion before
starting treatment. Although you can always ask another dentist for a
second opinion, the NHS does not cover this, so the dentist may
charge you privately.
If the second opinion is different from that of your own dentist, remember
that dentists have the right to disagree on what the best treatment for an individual patient.
Back to top
|
|
|
| |
|
Can I refuse treatment? |
|
Yes. You can refuse any treatment you do not want to have. NHS dentists cannot force a patient to accept treatment. Your dentist must have your permission before it is carried out. However, if you refuse to have the treatment that the dentist considers you need, they may refuse to continue treating you.
Back to top
|
|
|
| |
|
Can my dentist refuse to see me? |
|
Your dentist can refuse to see you for any of the following reasons.
. regular missed appointments
. persistent lateness
. not paying for treatment
. failure to follow dental recommendations
. abuse to staff
Private dentists should finish your present course of treatment before refusing to see you again unless there is a very good reason for them not to, such as non payment.
If you are a member of a private dental insurance scheme, the rules of the scheme will usually mean that the dentist has to give you a fixed period of notice to end the scheme. The dentist must provide all necessary treatment until the scheme ends.
Back to top
|
|
|
| |
|
Can the dentist charge me if I miss an appointment? |
|
If you are an NHS patient in England and Wales cannot charge you for a missed appointment.
However, if you are a private patient or an NHS patient in Scotland or Northern Ireland and you miss an appointment or cancel at short notice, the practice may charge you. Your dentist must have warned you beforehand that they charge for missed appointment or late cancellations. This is often done by a note on the appointment card.
Back to top
|
|
|
| |
|
What happens if I want to change my dentist during a course of treatment? |
|
If you are not satisfied with the treatment you are receiving from your dentist, or you feel uncomfortable about continuing treatment for any other reason, you are entitled to stop the treatment. You will be expected to pay the dentist for any treatment that he has provided up until that point and you will be charged again for any further necessary treatment carried out by another dentist.
Back to top
|
|
|
| |
|
What happens to my records if I change my dentist? |
|
Your records belong to your dentist, and are not passed on to your new dentist. Your new dentist can ask your previous dentist for a report on your dental treatment or you can ask for copies of your records to be sent to your new dentist. However, most dentists simply make their own records.
Under the NHS, dentists have to keep dental records for at least 2 years, but it is recommended that they keep them for a minimum of 11 years for adults. Most private dentists will keep the records for the same amount of time as the NHS recommendation.
Back to top
|
|
|
| |
|
Can I see my records? |
|
The Data Protection Act 1998 allows you to inspect your records and x-rays. You can read your dental records, free of charge. You will need to arrange a time that is convenient to both yourself and the practice. However, if your records are held on computer, there may be an administration charge of £10. It also entitles you to copies of your records and x-rays, but you have to pay for these. If you have any problems in understanding what the records mean the dentist has a duty to explain them to you. This will be especially common with dental records, as the dentist will use symbols and abbreviations to record what treatment has been done. The dentist must allow you to see your records or provide you with copies within 40 days, upon your written request. The dentist is entitled to charge you up to £50 for copies of dental records and x-rays.
Back to top
|
|
|
| |
|
Should the dentist wear gloves? |
|
A dentist must take all reasonable precautions to protect patients and staff from transmittable disease. Almost all dentists nowadays wear gloves, as this protects both the dentist and the patient. Although it is strongly recommended that dentists do wear gloves it is not a legal requirement.
Back to top
|
|
|
| |
|
What if I have an emergency? |
|
If you are a regular NHS patient then you are entitled to emergency treatment within 24 hours. Outside normal working hours your dentist will either see you personally or make arrangements for another dentist to see you. If you call your dentist outside working hours an answer message should explain how you can receive emergency treatment. In England and Wales, it is the Primary Care Trusts responsibility to provide emergency dental care for patients who do not have a regular dentist. You can contact your local Primary Care Trust for the details of the Dental Access Centre in your area.
Private dentists are obliged to provide similar emergency cover for their patients.
Back to top
|
|
|
Tell me about...
