| A visit to the dentist is bad enough never mind | | | | for a check-up; in total there are 400 different |
| trying to fund it. It is virtually impossible to find a | | | | charges. However, changes are planned for April - |
| dentist who will take new patients on the NHS. | | | | a tiered system whereby treatments will fit into |
| Probably the reason why there are 11 million | | | | Bands 1, 2 or 3, as follows:- |
| people who do not get any kind of dental care. | | | | Band 1 - cost 15 pounds for a basic check-up and |
| Every year, of the 20,000 dentists in the UK, | | | | any preventative treatment such as scaling or |
| approximately 300 of them change to private | | | | polishing. |
| practice because of the 'drill and fill' attitude and | | | | Band 2 - cost 41 pounds and covers treatment |
| the not so good money aspect of the NHS. | | | | for simple procedures like extractions or fillings. |
| Nearly 20 years ago around 1 in 10 people had | | | | Band 3 - cost 183 pounds for more complex |
| private treatment but now that has risen to four | | | | procedures like dentures and crowns. |
| times as much. The problem is lack of funding - in | | | | We welcome the changes and are confident that |
| the last 15 years NHS spending has gone up 75 | | | | the revised system will be far clearer. But we are |
| per cent but spending on dentistry has only | | | | concerned that the proposed Band 3 charge will |
| increased by 9 per cent. The government has | | | | be too high for many vulnerable members of |
| recently increased the number of dentists | | | | society, especially older people. A spokesman for |
| students by 1,000 but their training will take 5 | | | | the dentists' trade union, the British Dental |
| years. | | | | Association (BDA), thinks the proposed changes |
| The NHS System - If you can find a dentist who | | | | will not improve the "excessive workload" they |
| will treat you on the NHS it is likely you will have | | | | have, or make it simpler or more affordable for |
| to pay for any treatment. At present only | | | | people. |
| pregnant women and new mothers and children | | | | For those trying to find an NHS dentist there are |
| that are seen for free, everyone else has to pay | | | | 2 websites that are helpful. One is the NHS Direct |
| including old age pensioners. If they are on low | | | | site who will give details of 5 dentists in your area |
| incomes there is help but they must satisfy very | | | | although this does not mean that they will |
| complex criteria to qualify. On the whole 7 out of | | | | definitely take you on under the NHS system. |
| 10 people pay around 80 per cent of their dental | | | | And also, the BDA website can help you to find a |
| care themselves, up to a maximum of 378 | | | | dentist. Of the 6,000 dentists registered with |
| pounds. | | | | them not all will entertain NHS patients and you |
| Currently, a dentist will charge for every | | | | may have to travel to find one. For example, a |
| extraction or filling and has little incentive for any | | | | search on a Suffolk postcode produced a Luton |
| personal input regarding preventive care. Every | | | | dentist as the closest. |
| procedure has a charge from 5 pounds, 64 pence | | | | |