Private dentist referred me to NHS doctor - do I have to pay for this?

I have a private dentist who I pay out of pocket.  Before I can have some dental work done, I have to be seen by a specialist in a non-dental-related area.  The dentist referred me to an NHS hospital. I received a letter from the hospital, saying that the dentist had referred me and asking me to make an appointment, which I did.  On the letter, the space where my NHS number is left blank; the dentist doesn't know my NHS number.

As a UK resident who is entitled to use the NHS, can I see the specialist for free, on the NHS, or do I have to pay as I wasn't referred by an NHS doctor?

I'm almost certain you can see the NHS doctor for free. (I wait until I go to the States to get dental checkups.)

You'll have to pay unless you are pregnant,had a baby in the last 12 months, or are on any specific benefits (low income).  I had all my dental done after my baby was born because its so expensive!


this is only for dental work btw- ....Im not really too sure the reason for your appointment

You do not pay for dental work done in an NHS hopsital.

It's not dental work. I was just referred by a dentist.

We go to an NHS dentist but we still have to pay for our treatments. Though they are no where near the expense we would have to pay for a private dentist.  DH just had a filling done for just over £100. Since this was the first experience I have had with dentists over here I thought it would be way more than that.  What I did find strange though was that cleaning your teeth is not something the dentist does. You have to make an appointment with they hygienist.  In the states I guess I kind of always thought going to the dentist involved a teeth clean as well as any other work you needed.  The hygienist only charge £35 though so I didn't think that was a bad price. But like mentioned by Ah-Loom-In-Num, if you are pregnant, etc and/or a child you don't have to pay.

when you call up to make an appointment, i'd ask if this is private or NHS. 

Some NHS doctors also work privately. However, if I understand you Sweetpeach, you have been referred to the NHS by a private dentist for something non-dental related. Unless this specialist has private and NHS patients, I'd think you will not pay. However, if you've been referred to the specialist's private part of the practice, you may. As Meggles says, just call them to find out.

It's not dental work. I was just referred by a dentist.

Ok I'll rephrase. You don't pay for any treatment, on any part of your body, in an NHS hospital, apart from what you have already paid through National Insurance contributions. It doesn't matter who referred you.

But if a specialist you see in an NHS hospital gives you an appointment to see them in their own private practice (ie an office outside of the NHS hopsital premises), then you would most likely be required to pay.

Thanks. It is for a dermatologist at an NHS hospital, and my appointment isn't for almost another 2 months, so I assume I'm on a waiting list with the other NHS patients.

I will call to doublecheck, and give them my NHS number if I have to. I was trying to avoid asking as I wanted to make sure it doesn't sound like I am offering to pay if I don't have to.

Just wanted to bump this up to say that I called the hospital, and they assured me that it was free and they already had all my info (I suppose through my address) so I didn't even have to supply my NHS number.

In case anyone else ever finds themself in the same situation.

That's good to know.  Thanks for the update!