NHS prices increased by central Government
With all the headlines around Brexit in the media these past few weeks it may have escaped your notice that the Government have confirmed & implemented 5% higher dental charges as of the 1st April 2017 after a similar rise last year.
This takes the NHS charges to;
- Band 1 £20.60
- Band 2 £56.30
- Band 3 £244.30
Please be aware that we have no control over these charges, we are just made to collect them from you on behalf of the Government & if you wish to complain about them you need to contact your local MP.
As members of the BDA the profession has been very critical of these increases as they are a further 'stealth tax' , the increases are above the rate of inflation, they also mask cuts in the NHS, & help to drive patients to GP's or accident & emergency departments rather than having to pay for the NHS dental treatment (which is what they really need)
Below are links to BDA comments on the rises
Dental charges in England to rise by a further 5%
NHS charges masking cuts and driving patients to GPs, say dentists