Post Lockdown Dental Care

set-in-stone

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I was already late for my Dental checks when Covid struck. The practice emailed to say they are opening for limited service. Great, I thought. The email included the following -
“We would like ....to inform all our patients that due to extra enhanced PPE that you will see during your treatment, there will be an additional PPE charge to each visit. These charges are as follows:

Non Aerosol generating treatments e.g, examination and emergencies with simple treatments = £7
Aerosol generating
treatments e.g, hygiene using ultrasonic, fillings with the use of highspeed and 3in1 and crown preparations = £40”

I pay for all my dental care. Not cheap as we all know. I think this is a bit OTT. Or am I behind the times?
 

Jaylee

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Oh wow!!

The people I go to were pretty much full on COVID proofed before this even kicked off..?

Only my opinion, but it sounds like a "virus tax" to me... :banghead:
 

TriciaWs

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The British dental group apparently estimated additional PPE costs ar4e £25 per visit - seems unlikely as they already wear some PPE. Additional cleaning does mean more time between appointments, so fewer patients, less money coming in.
 

set-in-stone

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Oh wow!!

The people I go to were pretty much full on COVID proofed before this even kicked off..?

Only my opinion, but it sounds like a "virus tax" to me... :banghead:

Indeed. I wonder how many other businesses / services will introduce a “virus tax” to punish us all?
 

Marie 2

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Here in the US they are charging more too. They were wearing full gowns and masks all the time, but the assistant was constantly cleaning the whole time too. They only see one at a time at the one dentists because there was an opening between the rooms or the specialist who had definite separate rooms had two at once but no one waiting in the waiting area. It has slowed them down and takes a lot more work. I had to fill out a questionnaire at both places and my temperature was taken as soon as I arrived.

So I don't blame them at all for the extra fees.

Plus it seems like one of the more dangerous jobs as they are right in your mouth with you breathing on them. You are more protected because of their masks but..................................
 

Jaylee

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Here in the US they are charging more too. They were wearing full gowns and masks all the time, but the assistant was constantly cleaning the whole time too. They only see one at a time at the one dentists because there was an opening between the rooms or the specialist who had definite separate rooms had two at once but no one waiting in the waiting area. It has slowed them down and takes a lot more work. I had to fill out a questionnaire at both places and my temperature was taken as soon as I arrived.

So I don't blame them at all for the extra fees.

Plus it seems like one of the more dangerous jobs as they are right in your mouth with you breathing on them. You are more protected because of their masks but..................................

I feel on principle, the protection works both ways.?
At the best of times, one is in a vulnerable position with the mouth wide open & an oral health professional working at close quarters..
However, a lot of these safety practices regarding hygiene & minimalising cross contamination were pretty much already in place.
Blimey, my lot even make me wear safety goggles?!
 

Marie 2

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Temperature taking, questionnaires, cutting down on patients waiting. Full disposable PPE equipment, not just surgical gowns they used to wear. And they were literally wiping down everything constantly. That is all new and added on costs.

Even just a few patients seen less in a day is also hundreds to thousands in loss of income for the business. Not the same.
 

MrsA2

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I was at dentist this week. They are adding £12 a visit for PPE, and I'm sure other costs have gone up but they never publish prices so I dont know how to compare.
Ordinary filling £175
Special 'laboratory' filling £530
Either way I'm screwed
 

JohnEGreen

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One of the reasons as far as I know, dentists and some other health practitioners have worn PPE especially gloves for some time now is that in the United States several years ago a dentist infected with HIV put his hands in the mouths of his patients without wearing them and infected several of his patients with HIV.
 

set-in-stone

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Messages
121
Here in the US they are charging more too. They were wearing full gowns and masks all the time, but the assistant was constantly cleaning the whole time too. They only see one at a time at the one dentists because there was an opening between the rooms or the specialist who had definite separate rooms had two at once but no one waiting in the waiting area. It has slowed them down and takes a lot more work. I had to fill out a questionnaire at both places and my temperature was taken as soon as I arrived.

So I don't blame them at all for the extra fees.

Plus it seems like one of the more dangerous jobs as they are right in your mouth with you breathing on them. You are more protected because of their masks but..................................

I do think £40 extra per visit is way too much. Especially given that they they already cleaned constantly before now. Any amount under £15 is reasonable. Higher extras mean they are making clients pay for the ‘gaps’ from no waiting.
They should also work more efficiently. Finish appointments on time, etc.
I pay for all my treatment and will be voting with my feet out their door!