How to find a NHS dentist who is taking on NHS Fee paying patients?!
Question:
How to find a NHS dentist who is taking on NHS Fee paying patients?
Yesterday I paid £95 for a tooth extraction, the tooth itself cost £60 to take out then all the rest of the money was spent on xrays ect. I was taken off the NHS list as I missed 1 appointment as I was in hospital at the time and too sick to cancel the appointment so hence have been paying for treatment for the past couple of years. I claim working family tax credit but not not child credit as I earn too much so they say so I dont even have an exemption certificate. I am in a health plan so I will get a percentage back of what I paid but having looked on the NHS site all local dentists and even further away dentists are not taking on fee paying patients for the NHS. Is there anyother way I can search for someone to take me and my daughter on without paying an arm and a leg everytime?
Answers:
Phone your local PALS service. PALS stands for Patient Advice and Liason Service. They have lists of dentists who are taking on NHS patients and the lists get updated regularly. It should be a freephone number too. I worked for my local PALS office, the vast majority of their calls were people in your situation - they've been kicked off a list for missing an appt, so they'll understand and won't judge you.
Good luck!