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Free filling but paying for injection

  • 28-12-2017 1:14pm
    #1
    (F.L.) Anders
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 161 ✭✭


    Hi all, quick question on behalf of my retired Mam who has a medical card.
    She just had a front tooth filled and was under the impression that she was entitled to this for free. As she went to leave the dentist asked for €75 for the numbing injection.
    Is this correct and the usual procedure?
    I would have assumed this is part of the procedure and should be free??


Comments

  • #2
    Oral Surgeon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,240 ✭✭✭Oral Surgeon


    (F.L.) Anders wrote: »
    Hi all, quick question on behalf of my retired Mam who has a medical card.
    She just had a front tooth filled and was under the impression that she was entitled to this for free. As she went to leave the dentist asked for €75 for the numbing injection.
    Is this correct and the usual procedure?
    I would have assumed this is part of the procedure and should be free??

    Ah Jasus, I've heard it all now!!!


  • #3
    Dianthus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 933 ✭✭✭Dianthus


    Afaik a lot of German & Eastern European dental practices operate this way - patients paying separately for local anaesthetic - but this is the first time I've ever come across an Irish based practice doing the same.
    *Technically* it's possible to have fillings without local anaesthetic. It's certainly quicker.
    *Technically*; local anaesthetic is a luxury for patients. Some patients even specifically request no local anaesthetic (prefer not to be numb, culturally have been raised without ever being given any, ect)

    Now, morally or legally....?
    The Dental Council have regulations regarding displaying of fees.
    The HSE may be able to offer further guidance as to the exact terms of the medical card contract with dentists. & I guess, the exact definition of a filling!


  • #4
    capnsparkles
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 281 ✭✭capnsparkles


    I cannot remember the contract fine print , but I would raise the issue with the clinic.
    Verify exactly what the fee was for. I do remember that you were not to mix private fees with GMS fees. For example a top up fee to place white filling where amalgam was indicated on the GMS schedule. To do that constitutes a breach of contract.
    Any breach of contract is a serious issue.


  • #5
    btkm8unsl0w5r4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,535 ✭✭✭btkm8unsl0w5r4


    I would advise caution here, there is a certain amount of Chinese whispers with this stuff. You mum may mis remember what was said, she was numb and just out of the dentist. It may have been a fee for cleaning under local anesthetic, or some other non Medical Card covered proceedure.

    She should ask for clarification, charging for local anesthetic IMHO would be unacceptable.


  • #6
    my3cents
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,764 ✭✭✭my3cents


    Dianthus wrote: »
    Afaik a lot of German & Eastern European dental practices operate this way - patients paying separately for local anaesthetic - but this is the first time I've ever come across an Irish based practice doing the same.
    *Technically* it's possible to have fillings without local anaesthetic. It's certainly quicker.
    *Technically*; local anaesthetic is a luxury for patients. Some patients even specifically request no local anaesthetic (prefer not to be numb, culturally have been raised without ever being given any, ect)

    Now, morally or legally....?
    The Dental Council have regulations regarding displaying of fees.
    The HSE may be able to offer further guidance as to the exact terms of the medical card contract with dentists. & I guess, the exact definition of a filling!

    I prefer no anesthetic because I always found that the dentist was a bit more careful in the actual drilling but no way will my current dentist do any drilling without one. The pain from the anesthetic needle often being much worse than the drilling.


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  • #7
    btkm8unsl0w5r4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,535 ✭✭✭btkm8unsl0w5r4


    A small filling in enamel only is fine without anaesthetic, but any filling into the dentin would cause excruciating pain without numbing. Patients that say they have fillings without local either have only had very small fillings, sealants or "amalgam sealants" in the past. Trust me, anesthetic is totally necessary for the majority of fillings, you are not special in your pain threshold, its that your dentist was doing unnecessary very shallow fillings, or some small aesthetic fillings at the front of the mouth or the side of the teeth.


  • #8
    daisyos1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 43 ✭daisyos1


    (F.L.) Anders wrote: »
    Hi all, quick question on behalf of my retired Mam who has a medical card.
    She just had a front tooth filled and was under the impression that she was entitled to this for free. As she went to leave the dentist asked for €75 for the numbing injection.
    Is this correct and the usual procedure?
    I would have assumed this is part of the procedure and should be free??

    Hmm, I would question the clinic on that. With a medical card it should have all been covered under that. However maybe she had another procedure done while there?


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