Dental Surgery?

I've just had my very first (horrible) appointment with an NHS dentist. I will be needing some teeth pulled, but he said that he might recommend that I have it done at a hospital instead of the dental office (partly because of I have a major phobia about dentists).

He's given me a "treatment plan & estimate" and booked an appointment for a filling, and he said he'll let me know then what the plan is for the extraction. But the treatment plan has the extractions and filling listed under the same estimate.

My question is, if I do have them extracted at a hospital, will this change the costs? Do you have to pay extra for dental surgery at a hospital? Any other advice for a scared patient?

I'm in Wales, if it makes a difference.

Any other advice for a scared patient?

Get a second opinion?  Not trying to bust your chops, but it sounds like you didn't feel comfortable with this dentist, so it might be worth checking out a second one.

I had a tooth extracted at the teaching hospital in Sheffield and it was free. YMMV

But the treatment plan has the extractions and filling listed under the same estimate.

Yes, this is correct.

NHS dental treatment has only 3 price bands - so you will pay just one fee for all the treatment you need. It depends on what you need doing as to how much it will cost.

If you just need fillings and extractions, you will pay £48 in total (no matter how many fillings/extractions you need), but if you need anything more complex (like a crown), it will cost £209.

I believe that if you get the teeth extracted at a hospital, it comes under NHS hospital treatment, not dental... which is free.

However, if you also need fillings, you will still need to pay £48 for the fillings and check up, so it won't make a difference cost-wise whether you get them done at the hospital or not.

i.e.

- Fillings and extractions at the dentist = £48

- Fillings at the dentist = £48. Extractions at the hospital = free

From the NHS website (http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1781.aspx?CategoryID=74&SubCategoryID=742):

NHS dental charges

There are three NHS charge bands.

    Band 1: £17.50 includes an examination, diagnosis and advice. If necessary, it also includes X-rays, a scale and polish and planning for further treatment.
    Band 2: £48 includes all treatment covered by Band 1, plus additional treatment, such as fillings, root canal treatment and removing teeth (extractions).
    Band 3: £209 includes all treatment covered by Bands 1 and 2, plus more complex procedures, such as crowns, dentures and bridges.

NHS dentistry is a bit of a wild card in that you do somewhat pay for it in comparison with health care. However the charges are very much subsidised and are actually categorised  into bands for different work. It does not matter that you might have to go to a hospital for the treatment as it still comes under the following bands as long as it is an NHS hospital but then an NHS dentist will not refer you to a private hospital unless you were to wish them too:

Band 1 course of treatment – £17.50
This covers an examination, diagnosis (including X-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, a scale and polish if needed, and application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant.

Band 2 course of treatment – £48.00
This covers everything listed in Band 1 above, plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or removal of teeth.

Band 3 course of treatment – £209.00
This covers everything listed in Bands 1 and 2 above, plus crowns, dentures and bridges.