I had a crown fitted by a NHS dentist which fell out, they are trying to charge me for putting it back in?

Question

I had a crown fitted in May which was quite costly. Last week it fell out while eating toast. I made an appointment and they glued it back in and said that the glue had been changed since it was last fitted so it should stay in this time. However they want me to pay for having it glued back in. I have complained about this but they just say it is NHS policy to charge as dental work is only covered by the NHS for two months! Can anyone tell me where I stand on this and what I can do? It seems so unreasonable that since they were using rubbish glue and since it is less than 3 months after fitting that I should pay for their incompetence.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, sometimes this happens. Considering it only stayed in for a few months is interesting, though. I'd take it up with an office manager, or chief of staff. They can search your records and make a decision.  

Answer 2

I had a heavy gold crown fitted once and it gave me a head ache  0:-)

Before I sat down, I had to wait as a baked potato was on the dentists chair and the dentist said he needed time to finish his filling.  

Ooops! someone has no sense of humour (I got a thumbs down, please put a thumbs up someone else to counteract this negativity to my creativity).

Answer 3

You should take it up with the General Medical Council.

Answer 4

No you shouldn't pay.  It's their fault.  

Answer 5

The tooth fell out, you wanted it glued back in, the dentist did as you requested: just pay the bill!

How much can they charge for a dollop of glue for goodness sake?!?!?

Answer 6

Clearly the glue was not up to the job. I would calmly say to them that the crown is was "not fit for the purpose for which it was intended" and that every care will now be taken to look after it and you don't deem payment to be an option at present.  This is a legal requirement of any product sold to you. If they still will not budge maybe offer to pay half as a goodwill gesture but think of changing to another dentist (and possibly get a second opinion from them beforehand) Don't get too unpleasant though - remember you may be in pain one day and need some sympathy!

Answer 7

You might be able to use the same principle as the Sale of Goods Act. At the time of selling, the goods have to be fit for the purpose for which they are sold. You bought a crown but it was unfit for purpose as it fell out much sooner than it's reasonable to expect (I'm assuming you did nothing silly to provoke it coming out, like eating toffees). They even admitted it was their fault and changed to a more suitable glue so they have admitted liability. I think they're trying it on. Tell them you're going to take it to the Small Claims Court. If they still keep going, file the online application with the Small Claims Court (it only costs a few quid and isn't scary at all). When they get confirmation from the small claims court, they will probably back down. Companies usually do because if you won in court, it would be a legal fact that this dentist can't put in fillings properly, which would be devastating to their business. The other thing you could do is get the crown looked at by another dentist and ask them to give an independent report. Hopefully, they'll come out on your side and back you up. Good luck! Oh and don't ever eat toffees - I pulled out a crown when a toffee set. The dentist who sorted it out afterwards said it was harder than solidified dental putty!

Answer 8

You wont have any chance of winning. I had a loose crown and went to an NHS dentist, who then loosened it further before telling me there was nothing they could do. They charged me for the priveledge.

Answer 9

I had this same problem back in 1980. The tooth came of the post and I don't remember what it cost my parents to have it glued back in  by the Dentist but about a week later I sneezed and it fell out again!

Super Glue Gel had just hit the market so I put a dab in the fake tooth and shoved it back on the post.

The tooth has held steady for 28 years.