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NHS Dental Patients Forced to Pay £69 for Hygienist
2 Jan
Summary
- Patients reported being charged £69 for a hygienist appointment to register.
- This charge was presented as an ultimatum before NHS patient registration.
- The dental practice stated appointments were offered alongside check-ups.
Patients seeking NHS dental care in Bristol have reported being presented with a mandatory £69 hygienist fee before they could register. Several individuals described this as an ultimatum, forcing them to pay for services they may not have needed. The situation arose for those attempting to register at the Lodge Causeway Dental Centre in east Bristol.
One patient from south Bristol expressed that while she didn't require a hygienist, the scarcity of NHS dental availability made paying the fee seem like the only option. This practice has led to significant frustration among individuals struggling to access essential dental services under the NHS.
The dental practice has since responded, stating that hygienist appointments were offered in conjunction with check-ups. They extended an apology to patients for any confusion or distress caused by their registration process.
