Dental crown advice needed

[Dizzle]

My partner had a gold crown fitted on the NHS last year costing him the £196 or whatever it is and it has recently come out.

 

He went back to the dentist to make an appointment for it to be refitted only to be told (by the receptionist) that they won't do it, he'd have to have a new crown made and fitted.

 

As far as I am aware, all work is guaranteed for 12 months. Now the crown came out approximately 12 months and 3 weeks since the work was done. He's having to wait 3 weeks for an appointment, and he'll have to pay another £196 for the priviledge.

 

Is this right? Surely they could just recement the old one back in? Shouldn't they actually look in his mouth first before deciding whether or not a new one is required? Is there any leeway on this 12 month window for the sake of a couple of weeks?

 

He's saying he'd rather have the tooth taken out than pay another £200 with no guarantee that one will last any longer than the first!

 

If there's grounds for a complaint, who deals with such complaints regarding NHS dentalwork?

 

Thanks.

[reallymadwoman]

I believe PALS would deal with this, or at least point you in the right direction. Their number should be in the phone book.

[cornetgirl]

Did you get anywhere with this at all?

[Dizzle]

Yes, turned out the receptionist got the wrong end of the stick thinking it was just a normal filling (which of course cannot be glued back in) rather than a crown. The 12 months had passed as I mentioned so he had to pay the band 1 price (£16 or whatever) for a check up and the crown was recemented in place.

[Red smartie]

Hi

I used to work for a PCT. PALs will be able to help you but they can take time. The shortcut is to phone up your local Primary Care Trust (PCY) (you will find it if you google Strategic Health Authority - choose the one for your area and it will tell you where your PCT is) and ask to be put through to the Dental Commissioning department. Ask to speak to the Dental Commissioner and tell them about your problems - get a reference number for your complaint. The Dental Commissioner holds the purse strings for all dentistry in your local area so will tell you where you stand re dentistry. They can make an instant decision and intervene direct. If the situation is not so straight forward they will investigate it then get back to you. They are the people who the PALS team will refer you to so you may as well go direct to the commissioner. NHS Choices has online brochures on the services you can expect from all NHS departments. Good luck!

[Allwood]

I used to take bisphosphonates for osteoporosis been to the dentist yesterday and need to a lot of work done on my teeth. My dentist said that because I used to take bisphosphonates for osteoporosis I was referred to the dental hospital for an extraction. When i got to the dental hospital I was told that I would have to wait about 6 weeks for a letter from them and then I would have to ring them to make an appointment.

 

This is exceptional long time to wait for extractions. Should I go back to my dentist as I have other work that needs to be done ie bridge will need to be replaced as well crowns.

 

Will this be done on the NHS for me. Or will they try and make me pay for it.

[cornetgirl]

Bisphosphonates require special handling and it's often best to be in a specialist environment to have extractions done. All dental hospitals offer free treatment (it's like going to hospital but they do your teeth) but 6 weeks for a dental hospital is actually not too long.

 

Why not see if your dentist can do some other treatment while you wait for the extractions?

[Allwood]

Thanks for your reply cornetgirl, I will go to see the dentist this afternoon to see if I can get the other dental work done ie crown and see about my bridge, whcih I am worry about as I do not want to wear dentures as they will make me feel sick.

 

I cannot afford to pay for this private as I am a pensioner but work part time to make ends meet. Do not want to claim any benefits as this also would worry me about filling in forms for it.

[Allwood]

Been to the dentist but waiting to go to hosipal for extraction. However, I feel that one of my crowns needs replacing as the old one has been there for over 25 years.

 

The dentist say it is OK bit I know it is not as it get very sore to touch sometimes. The dentist took xrays and I paid the initial £16 under the NHS. I do not know the name of the dentist but she is seems very nice. I want to the dentist practice website but cannot see the dentist that I am dealing with on there website team either. Does this mean that she is still training or do dentist have to be qualified before they can treat patients. also, how often does a crown have to be renewed. I have some for over 25years.