What is a Course Of Treatment?

A Course of Treatment begins with your regular checkup. Your dentist will identify any problems that need treatment. After discussing them with you, the Course of Treatment is extended to deal with all of the problems unless the problems found require treatment given in stages. If there is no treatment agreed then the Course of Treatment is just your check-up.

How is a Course Of Treatment charged under the NHS ?
Charges are grouped into “Bands”, which cover different levels of treatment. It makes no difference how many appointments or treatments are needed, you only pay once.

These prices are set by the NHS and change each year in April.

• Band 1 (£27.90) covers a check-up, x-rays, fluoride and any scaling considered clinically necessary.
• Band 2 (£76.60) covers your check-up and any fillings, extractions, and root canal treatments.
• Band 3 (£332.10) covers crowns and dentures, and anything in Band 2 or Band 1.
• Emergencies are usually charged under Band 1, and are not part of a Course Of Treatment

Basic information about the treatment included in your Course Of Treatment will be given to you on a form called an “FP17DC”, which shows the types of treatment agreed, what band it falls into, and what the charge is. Some NHS terms and conditions are listed on this.

You will need to see the same dentist who created the Course Of Treatment. If this is not possible, you may have to have another check-up for the new dentist to take over treatment. This is because the new dentist becomes jointly responsible for the treatment once they become involved.

What is a Routine Course of Treatment ?
A routine course of treatment is one which starts with a normal examination (a check up). As explained above, if the need for treatment is found and agreed, this will also become part of the course of treatment. A check-up does not include treatment at the same appointment and is not an emergency or urgent appointment.

Time Limits
There are some limits on NHS courses of treatment.

Once a dentist has identified the need for treatment at a check-up and opened a Course Of Treatment for you, you must begin treatment within 2 months, and you must not leave more than 2 months between any further appointments.

If it is not possible for you to book treatment appointments less than 2 months apart, or if you have to cancel a treatment appointment and cannot attend again within the 2 month limit, the Course Of Treatment is no longer available. You will have to attend another check-up appointment to be re-assessed.

If you had paid in advance for your treatment, you can be refunded for the treatment you did not receive. You will still have to pay for the check-up and any treatment you did receive.

If your treatment begins within 2 months but takes longer than 2 months to complete, you will not need another check-up to continue provided your appointments are all less than 2 months apart. However, if your treatment takes between 6 and 12 months for some reason, your dentist may give you further advice on your ongoing treatment.

If you need more treatment within 2 months of finishing your last course of treatment, and this falls within the same Band as your last treatment, you will not normally need to pay again.

During your checkup, your dentist will identify any problems that need treatment. After discussing them with you, a Course of Treatment is created that deals with all of the problems.

Emergencies are usually charged under Band 1, and are not part of a Course Of Treatment.