Forum Topic

Beware Ealing Dental Care!

Summary: They are in the business of greed rather than welfare of their patients and are refusing to treat registered NHS patients!I am a registered patient at Ealing Dental Care, 122 The Broadway in Ealing.  I made an appointment for a check up 2 weeks ago. I arrived this morning for my appointment.  I was given a form by the receptionist and immediately asked if I was on claiming any benefits.  I told the receptionist that I had Maternity Exemption.  Her behaviour immediately changed and she looked at me coyly. A female dentist standing nearby then walked over and said “We’re having financial difficulties at the moment.  We’re only seeing patients who are will to pay for treatment.”This seems utterly absurd and should be an infringement of NHS rules. I asked why I hadn’t been told when I made the appointment and they said “It’s a recent problem, only since last week”.  I don’t believe this at all and feel this practice is purely in the interest of greed rather than patient welfare.  They made no attempt to apologise for the inconvenience of having to take time off work or having to travel there as a heavily pregnant woman only to be refused a check up.Lastly, what I found most odd was they seemed willing to see me if I had been a “normal” NHS patient without Maternity Exemption.  The NHS pays them for my treatment regardless!!Bottom line: DO NOT USE THIS PRACTICE unless you've got loads of money to burn as a private patient.

Crystal Hirschorn ● 5188d8 Comments

Also Mr. Lee towards the top of Northfields Avenue.The straight NHS basics with no pushiness - just like the 1960's (with the office decor to match :-) )!Seriously - a good dentist which everybody in our family has used for years now after quite a few poor experiences with the now thankfully repatriated Aussie dentist that used to practice just up the drag a bit in Drayton Green Road.

Tony Colliver ● 5185d

If you're looking for a good NHS dentist, I can recommend mine. He is Dr Robert Biggs in Hanwell.......almost opposite Brentside school. Phone number is : 020 8578 1325.

Penny Crocker ● 5185d

Thanks for that extra information. sounds like my old Dentist. have not been for 11 years after some work that was not really required.

Peter Chadburn ● 5186d

There *may* be some truth in the NHS only providing a set amount of money to private practices which, once depleted, either the practice has to take on the fees or they turn away patients.However, this seems like gross incompetence if they *allow* patients with previous appointments to arrive and only then ask them to pay fees.  That's ludicrous and dodgy.I would like to qualify my original post wasn't based on a one-time situation only.  I've been to the practice once before for a check up.  The dentist  made out that I needed work done on two molars.  One has a filling that has a minor chip and I wanted to get it repaired. She started saying that the filling couldn't be patched, nor could she replace it, the tooth needed grinding down and then a cap fitted!  And she kept quoting me the *private fee price* for the work but should have been aware that I was an NHS patient.Once pressed about the work she admitted it wasn't necessary meaning it was superficial work and again trying to manipulate clients into paying for unnecessary work!  And when pressed on the price of the cap for the tooth she admitted that there were two different prices: one for silver on NHS (£50) or a white enamel for done privately for £200. Originally she only quoted the £200 price.They have always been dishonest and have a track record of manipulating patients for money. Neither myself, or my husband will be going back..

Crystal Hirschorn ● 5187d

Never met a poor Dentist. One I know drives a Porsche and has 2 ex wives to support and does it all without worry!!

Peter Chadburn ● 5187d

How do we know the size of the pot?

George Knox ● 5188d

But that is a big pot of money!!!! subsidising out of his own pocket??? Well these certainly are not. But also they show a lack of interest in their Clients which makes you wonder about their attitude to the private patients? Maybe work that is not required is pushed?? I do not know but it shows poor customer service.

Peter Chadburn ● 5188d

As was pointed out to me the NHS give the dentist a pot of money for NHS patients and once the yearly quota is used up, the dentist subsidises the NHS patient out of his own pocket.

George Knox ● 5188d