Now we’ve got That Weekend out of the way, let's return to teeth.
We have some costs for alternative provision, should we not be willing to join the Ruthin Dental Practice's scheme or have missed out altogether.
The sign on the side of the dental practice still points to the former Mount Street surgery
The cost of a visit to a neighbouring dentist (obviously not in Rhuthun/Ruthin) as a private patient for a check up, x-ray and scale/polish was quoted as £125. Usually, a check up is required once a year. So, how does that compare with Ruthin dental practice?
The monthly direct debit to join RDP's membership scheme would've been the equivalent of £195 p.a. plus a one-off joining fee, bringing the total to £204.
In exchange for that sum, you are entitled to one free dental health examination per annum (identical to the alternative provision, above). But this includes *two* hygiene appointments (not one, as per the alternative practice).
Even so, £125 is cheaper than both £195 or £204.
The Rhuthun/Ruthin monthly fee includes a 20 per cent reduction on the cost of some dental treatments. Is the additional membership payment of (£204 – £125 =) £79 worth paying just for 20 per off? As things stand at the moment, no.
And, in a further bone tooth to pick with Ruthin Dental Practice, how can there be a 20 per cent discount when no one will pay the full price anyway? Because Ruthin Dental Practice is only now open to members of the scheme, there are no private or indeed NHS patients who will pay full price.
Doesn't that mean the 20 per cent discount price is the *only* price anyone will pay? And to market it as a reduction is a trades description issue? If not that, is there a little slight of hand going on?
Obviously, you need to travel to any new provision but, since we each of us are used to leaving town for some of what we have to do, is this such a burden regarding health? It's still an imposition that should never have been forced upon us, though.
Tags:
Health