NHS Dental Treatment in Alfreton
NHS Fees
Under the NHS we will provide all treatment and care that is necessary to secure and maintain oral health.
Band 1 – £27.40
This covers an examination, diagnosis (e.g. x-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, a scale / calculus removal if needed, and application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant. If you require urgent care, even if your urgent treatment needs more than one appointment to complete, you will only need to pay one Band 1 charge.
Band 2 – £75.30
This covers everything listed in Band 1 above, plus any further treatment such as fillings, root canal work or if your dentist needs to take out one or more of your teeth.
Band 3 – £326.70
This covers everything listed in Bands 1 and 2 above, plus crowns, dentures and bridges.
Urgent dental treatment – £27.40
This covers urgent assessment and specified urgent treatments such as pain relief and a temporary filling or dental appliance repair.
NHS Services
Examinations
To ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy you should visit your dentist every 6 to 24 months for a routine check up. During a dental examination your dentist will gather your social and dental history and check your oral hygiene.
X-rays
If you are a new patient, unless you have had dental x-rays very recently, the dentist will probably suggest having x-rays. This helps them assess the condition of your mouth and to check for any hidden problems. After that, x-rays are usually recommended every 6 to 24 months
Scale / Calculus Removal
Removal of plaque/ calculus – this is when your teeth are professionally cleaned.
Fillings
Fillings are used to repair a hole in a tooth caused by decay. The most common type of filling is an amalgam, made from a mixture of metals including mercury, silver, tin, copper and zinc. Your dentist will offer the most appropriate type of filling according to your clinical needs. This includes white fillings, if appropriate.
Extractions
Sometimes it is necessary to completely remove teeth which have become painful, weak or are past the point of repair. Extractions can also be necessary when the mouth is overcrowded.
Root Canal Therapy
If you’ve been feeling excessive pain in your mouth or tooth you may need a root canal. A root canal is necessary when a large tooth cavity reaches the nerves within a tooth and becomes infected.
Crowns
A crown is a type of cap that completely covers a real tooth. It’s made from either metal, or porcelain and metal, and is fixed in your mouth. Crowns can be fitted where a tooth has broken.
Veneers
Veneers are new facings for teeth which disguise a discoloured (rather than a damaged) tooth. To fit a veneer, the front of the tooth is drilled away a little. An impression is taken, and a thin layer of porcelain is fitted over the front of the tooth (similar to how a false fingernail is applied).
Bridges
A bridge is a fixed replacement for a missing tooth or teeth. It’s made by taking an impression of the surrounding teeth, which will eventually support the bridge. A bridge is usually created from precious metal and porcelain and will be fixed in your mouth (unlike dentures, which can be removed).
Dentures
More commonly known as false teeth, dentures are fitted in place of natural teeth. A full set is used to replace all your teeth. A part set is used to replace one or more missing teeth. Dentures are custom-made using impressions (mouldings) from your gums. They’re usually made from metal or plastic.
There are some treatments such as cosmetic dentistry that are not available on the NHS. These can be provided privately, outside of the NHS, and one of our dentists will be happy to discuss this with you.
Treatment Costs Explained
The charge you pay depends on the treatment you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy. All charges apply to an overall course of treatment, and not the individual items within the course of treatment. You will only have to pay one charge for each course of treatment – even if you need to visit your dentist more than once to finish it. If you need more treatment within the same charge band (for example, an additional filling) within two months of completing a course of treatment, you do not have to pay anything extra.
You do not have to pay to have your dentures repaired, for having stitches out, or if your dentist has to stop blood loss. Neither do you have to pay if your dentist only needs to write out a prescription. (But if you pay for your prescriptions, you will pay the usual charge when you collect your medicine from your pharmacist). You may need to pay all, or some, of your treatment costs before you start a course of treatment.