DT News - UK - Dentists under scrutiny for dental pricing

Dental Tribune International

Thu. 22 January 2015

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LONDON, UK: The British Dental Association has rejected the results of a new Which? study that indicate dentists are to blame for confusion about dental pricing. In a press release on Monday, the consumer body said it had conducted mystery shopping visits to 25 dental practices in England offering both NHS and private treatment. According to the investigation, almost a quarter of the practitioners reviewed failed to explain prices and treatment options properly to patients.

NHS price lists were not prominently displayed in half of the practices visited by Which? researchers, the group said.

The full report is to appear in the February issue of the magazine. It is part of the association’s “Clean up Dental Costs” campaign, which aims to enhance transparency about dental treatment costs.

In response, British Dental Association President Mick Armstrong defended the profession, saying that dentists have to explain the technical details of the treatment options, as well as the “muddled set of arrangements” concerning the payment system, including NHS versus private treatment, to patients, and are given little time to do so.

“Unfortunately the rules determined by government have proved a recipe for confusion. Neither the NHS contract nor what the NHS will pay for is clear enough,” he commented.

Instead of blaming dentists, Armstrong said regulators should devise a better system that enhances transparency concerning what patients have to pay for dental treatment.

“We take our responsibilities seriously, but government must do more to remove the potential for conflict or confusion.”

According to Armstrong, the majority of dental practices have met the Care Quality Commission’s overall inspection standard, which includes pricing information.

“Evidence continues to show that the public consistently value their visits to the dentist.”

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