When Your Dental Treatment Hasn't Worked
Most of us view a trip to the dentist with some trepidation – after all, it’s hard to see a filling or root canal work as something to look forward to. But we are entitled to a certain level of treatment when we visit the dentist, and because it’s a service that ultimately affects your health and well being, it pays to know your rights.
Private Dentists
Many of us now have private dental care, whether it’s covered by a dental insurance plan or we just pay as we go. When you choose a dentist, do your research first. The best way to pick someone to do dental work is someone that comes with a recommendation – word of mouth really is the best. If that’s not possible, make sure that the person you choose is registered with the British Dental Association (BDA). If you search the BDA website, you can find dentists in your area and you will know that the person you choose has signed up to the code of conduct expected of a professional dentist.Complaining About a Private Dentist
The first step in making a complaint about a private dentist is to try and resolve the issue with the dentist rather than go straight to a complaints service. It could save time and trouble if you explain what the problem is – for example if it’s something as simple as a filling falling out soon after it’s done, most dentists will re-do the work without charge.If the complaint is more serious and can’t be resolved, there is a specialist complaints service available for private dentists, called ‘The Dental Complaints Service’. This only applies to private dental care. They have a dedicated complaints procedure that you can go through on their website, or there’s a helpline if you’re not sure. In some cases they will refer the complaint to the General Dental Council. It’s also important to note that the Dental Complaints Service can only deal with complaints about dentists in the UK.
Because dentists don’t have to register patients as they used to, there’s no reason why you can’t ask another dentist to get any work that the first dentist has done put right, if you’ve lost confidence in the original dentist’s work. Especially if you’re in pain or discomfort. That applies to both private and NHS dentists. Unfortunately, if you get work corrected elsewhere you will have to pay the new dentist for any corrective work, and claim this extra expense back from the dentist who did the original job. You have rights under the Supply of Goods and Services Act as you would do with any other service you pay for, and that means that a dentist has the same obligation as any other tradesperson to carry out his craft with ‘reasonable skill and care’ and also for a ‘reasonable price’.
Problems with an NHS Dentist
Complaints about dental work aren’t restricted to private dentists, and there is a separate system if your NHS treatment falls short of what you can expect, leaves you in pain or worse. As with private dentists, the first thing that you should do is try to resolve the issue with the dentist. If that won’t work or you’re left frustrated, you can contact the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.The General Dental Council states that every dentist has to have an in-house complaints procedure, so you should always try to resolve issues about NHS treatment (as well as private) with the practice first. If you haven’t done this, you could find that the Ombudsman will simply refer the issue back to the practice or dentist anyway.Problems With Dental Work Abroad
If you decide to go abroad for dental work then you really must do your homework before you travel and don’t ever just go for the cheapest quote. While there are undoubtedly some good dentists abroad, you have to be doubly sure that your chosen dentist comes with recommendations and is backed up by the relevant foreign trade associations. Avoid any hard sell from agencies trying to convince you to use their services – a reputable practice won’t need to persuade people to use them.If you have issues with dental treatment you’ve had abroad, there’s not a lot you can do about it in this country. You will probably have to get the work fixed in the UK, and pay for it, and then try and take it up with the relevant authorities abroad.
Re: Complain About Your Meal
Hi, I ordered myself and my daughters a vegan burger, mine was ok, and I looked at hers and seemed different so I realised restaurant…
Re: Dealing With Cowboy Builders
As a long serving member of Trading Standards, I wish to clarify to consumers who have become victims of a rogue builder. 1. There…
Re: Dealing With Cowboy Builders
Beware of a joinery company based in west london called Estimus. I regret the day that our builder appointed them to do the…
Re: When a Price is Reduced After Your Deposit is Paid
I put a deposit down on a car from a well known car dealer. The agreed price was £21,494 and I paid…
Re: Dealing With Cowboy Builders
@wedny have been trying to reply to you - please email me. I can't seem to include the email address as it is usually written,…
Re: Dealing With Cowboy Builders
Ted Bakali (Mohtade) has a history of appearing trustworthy, building relationships, appearing to be doing what is right until you…
Re: Can I Return a Puppy to the Seller?
Bought cavapoo puppy 7 months ago he now has Luxating patella and vet bills are extortionate plus finding it hard to cope…
Re: Dealing With Cowboy Builders
@wedny happy to! Not sure how to without publishing contact details… bear with me.
Re: Dealing With Cowboy Builders
@Lucy A could you contact me ref TED BAKALI please
Re: The Structure Warranty on My Sofa?
After a long search, we bought a leather settee and love seat from Sofology 14 months ago, paying for the more expensive…