Camden New Journal - News: Patients ‘misled over private dental work’

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Camden New Journal - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 04 October 2007

Patients ‘misled over private dental work’

SOME dentists have been misleading patients into paying private prices for treatments available on the NHS, it was revealed this week.
An undisclosed number of dentists have failed to tell patients needing root canal procedures, bridges and crowns that they can pay much less if the work is done on the NHS.
The revelation came during a health scrutiny committee meeting at the Town Hall on Thursday in response to a question by Neil Woodnick, a member of Camden Primary Care Trust (PCT) patient forum. Stephen Conroy, PCT director of contracts and performance, said: “I know that’s happened in a few cases in Camden and Islington but can’t say how many.”
NHS root canal work should cost £43.60, with crowns, dentures or bridges costing £194. Private root canal treatments can cost up to £350.
Camden PCT has since confirmed nine complaints concerning charging issues have been made against dentists since April last year.
Three of these were about NHS treatments not being available, and four people said they believed their treatments were NHS but were only subsequently told they were private procedures.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Woodnick said: “It is my understanding there were a few cases where NHS patients were told root canal treatment was not covered under the NHS and would have to be done privately.”
Private dentists could now be forced to publish price lists.

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