DENTAL FEES Hidden costs


Disagreement over fees is an increasing source of dental patient complaints. MDDUS dental adviser Doug Hamilton highlights some common pitfalls


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TRIP to the dentist is challenging enough for most people – but being hit with an unexpectedly high bill aſterwards can only make matters worse.


General dental practitioners earn their living principally


through collection of fees from patients and, as a result, they are perhaps more likely to be faced with disputes in relation to money than other healthcare professionals. In recent years, MDDUS has been asked by its members for


assistance in an increasing number of fee-related complaints. And while this could be partly blamed on the current economic climate, a more immediate cause may be publicity surrounding the 2012 Office of Fair Trading report on UK dentistry. Amongst the findings were significant levels of dissatisfaction in dental patients regarding the clarity, accuracy and punctuality of costing information. Tis dissatisfaction was related largely to alleged


misinformation about the range of treatments that can be provided under the NHS. However, concerns were also raised over “the failure by some dentists to provide basic, requisite


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Transparency Knowledge of treatment availability and potential costs are essential components of the consenting process and the conduct flagged up by the OFT, if deliberate, could scarcely be condoned. Te fact is, however, that most practices are careful to maintain transparent costing policies, not only as a reflection of high professional standards, but also because it makes good commercial sense. Even so, there may be occasions where administrative errors, time pressures or even a reluctance to broach the tricky subject of fees leads to patients being presented with bills which are unexpectedly high or simply unexpected. In many such instances, a complaint will follow and MDDUS will always endeavour to support our members who seek assistance in providing a response.


SUMMONS


information to dental patients regarding proposed dental treatment, including the cost, prior to the dental treatment being provided.”


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