NHS 'new contracts' and no coverage for (cavity) fillings?

My son (unfortunately) has cavities needing filling.  I've called two local dentists (who come highly recommended and see children) and both say that my son can have a 'check up' on NHS but absolutely anything beyond that, is private and out of pocket for us.  At £63 per filling, and more for x-rays, etc, that really is expensive!

Does anyone know what 'new contracts' mean?  Is this typical, for NHS not to pay for anything beyond a 'check up'?  I don't even understand that, as my son is a New Patient and I would assume a new patient exam, full x-rays, etc is in order, not a 'check up' since they've never seen him before?

TIA!

The new contracts came into effect in April, 2006.  Basically, it simplifies how dentists are paid by the NHS and also replaces the old billing system.  We were just signed on as new patients and we went for a check-up and registration.  It is a three tiered system now.  Check ups, cleaning, and simple work, and X-rays are 15.00 GBP, two or more fillings etc are 42.00 GBP and and bridgework, crowns, more complicated procedures are 189.00 GBP.

I went for check up and registration, and paid 15 GBP.  The next visit I had one filling and didn't pay anything.  If I needed more work, I would pay the next fee and that would cover how ever many visits it takes to complete that treatment.

I know I have simplified it loads, but basically a google search for dentists NHS would bring up more specifics.

Children are free on the NHS, but not all dentists will take new NHS patients.  So, while they'll do a check-up they can make a lot more money treating privately.  You'll have to search for dentists that are taking new NHS patients or go private I'm afraid. 

thank you both so much for your reply.  I'm still confused, but learning more.  I went to the NHS website and there is no dentist in our area (I mean even a couple of hours drive away!) who is accepting children (or even adults) as new NHS patients.

So I wish we'd done my son's dental stuff in the States.  :-(  At least there, we'd have some insurance and get seen.  Heck, we had him seen there and paid out of pocket and it was tremendously less money than this route here, given no new NHS patient status!

Now I see why so many headlines here talk about NHS dentistry in 'crisis'. 

Not sure how to proceed, I guess we'll have to pay out of pocket.  It's really sad, as the care here so far has been really inferior compared with our experience in the US.  Here, the dentist takes the x-ray and we have to wait one week for it!  Unbelievable!  In the States, they x-rayed my son's teeth and it was on the computer screen in minutes, so he could see it as well.

Sigh.

Muse, there is a number which you should be able to get from your health visitor or GP for a service called the Patient Liaison (something or other) PALS.  You contact them and explain your situation about a dentist.  We received a letter that we could go to one an hour away (which was about six months ago)- which we were willing to accept at that point, but then received another letter saying, no sorry, they were full!

Just last week we received a phone call for one very near to us, so of course we made appointments right away and got registered with them.  I would definitely contact PALS in your case.

One more quick thought- I gave birth to my first child at a wonderful private hospital in Budapest Hungary.  There are so many cheap flights there, and if you research it well you can use clinics that are connected with American insurance and billing schemes.  There are also several good Hungarian clinics, and they are sure to have English speakers on hand.

It's worth a thought- if you and the whole family had checkups and minor work, you would surely come out cheaper in the long run.

I saw some sort of TV programme about lots of British people going away to Eastern European places to have their dental work done because it is so much cheaper.

We are lucky that there is ONE local dental surgery taking new NHS patients. Interestingly, all the dentists are Polish! They also have a very strict appointment policy. Basically, if you miss one without notice, you are outta  there - they refuse to book you a new one! You also have to put a small deposit down before your first appt. If you leave the surgery (i.e move or change) you get the deposit back provided you don't owe anything.

hey, I'd be all for a vacation and cheap dental treatment rolled into one.....

as it is, I'm quite happy with our NHS treatment so far.....and our dentist is Polish, too.

My theory on that is, a lot of UK dentists refused the new NHS contract as they felt they would lose money.  However, that same money probably looks awfully good to a Polish dentist.  So, I think they have done some recruiting.  But that's just speculation on my part.

A deposit, Balmerhon, how interesting?  How much (if you don't mind my being nosey....)