Tariq Drabu Dentist’s on How to Handle Dental Fees

Being a parent is the hardest job in the world. You have so much on your plate, balancing your kids, your work and actually having your own personal life, that it can all feel like a bit too much sometimes. That’s particularly true when it comes to balancing the household books. Families, especially single parent families, have it the worst financially. Between new clothes, school supplies, food etc. kids cost a lot of money. Adding in Dentist fees for that can be an actual nightmare, and can be the payment to break the financial camel’s back.

That’s why you can get dental treatment on the NHS. Our National Health Service, whatever else you say about it, is one of the best in the world. Britain is one of the few countries who recognises that there are people in society, that, for one reason or another, need a little bit of help every now and the. That’s why if you go to an NHS Dentist, you can get top treatment and actually have enough left over to make sure your kids get everything they need.

By and large, you can get most basic dental treatments on the NHS, although you should get the advice of your dentist just to make sure. However, some things aren’t covered or are only partially covered by the NHS. When thinking about all of this, you first have to make sure that your dentist is like Tariq Drabu, and takes on NHS patients. You must explicitly state to your dentist that you want NHS treatment when you make an appointment, before you actually go in.  Then when you actually go in for your appointment, you will have to fill out the appropriate form. But first you need to know, do you qualify for NHS treatment. If you fulfill the following criteria, then you can get dental treatment in the NHS - this is not a totally exhaustive list:

-       If you are under the age of 18

-       If you are under 19 and over but you are in full time education

-       If you are pregnant, or have delivered a baby at least 12 months prior to treatment

-       If you are an NHS in-patient and treatment is administered by the hospital dentist

-       If you or your partner receives one of the following: income support, income based jobseeker’s allowance, income related Employment and Support allowance or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit

-       If you are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate

-       If you fall into the low income brackets that quality for NHS (check NHS website for details on whether you fall into this category)

So parents, there you have it. Of course, not all the above criteria will apply to you, but for families, there is always a way to reduce the cost of dental treatment through the NHS.

For all the latest news on Tariq Drabu Dentist, head on over to the Tariq Drabu Twitter @TariqJDrabu - Or www.tariqdrabu.co.uk 

Tariq Drabu Dentist Comments On Recent NHS Failings

In April this year the government published the results from an NHS ‘Friends and Family Test’ which gave over 400,000 patients the opportunity to rate their hospital by providing feedback on whether or not they would recommend the hospital to a friend or family member.

However, the government’s flagship test has come under scrutiny after critics of the test have branded it ‘meaningless’ for a variety of reasons.

Sky News found that although Chase Farm Hospital, North London, was given a negative overall score on the test, the majority of people would have recommended it. When investigated further it was found that the reason behind this was due to votes only being counted as positive if the patient had stated they would “strongly agree” when asked if they would recommend the hospital. Votes where people had stated they would “agree” to recommend the hospital but “not strongly” were counted as neutral votes and therefore don’t count towards the positive rating.

Furthermore, it was found that in some cases wards were given negative ratings when only one patient had responded, meaning the test didn’t show a fair representation of the hospital overall. People have also criticised the test as it doesn’t state the reasons why patients are likely or unlikely to recommend a hospital, meaning their reasons for not recommending it could be due to a lack of car parking spaces, rather than poor care being given.

Although the tests don’t show exactly where the problems lie within the hospitals, the people behind the survey have said that getting figures every month will improve standards. Dr Tim Kelsey of the NHS Commissioning Board stated “This is how we’re going to drive an improvement in healthcare; it’s by listening to the patient on the ward and in the A&E department so that doctors and nurses on the front line can really focus on improvements in care”.

Despite criticisms, studies that look at patient care have previously revealed severe problems in certain NHS hospitals. Back in February a report regarding the care provided by Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust was published, which showed that patients were often neglected due to the Trust being preoccupied with cost cutting, targets and processes, which subsequently saw the Trust lose sight of its fundamental responsibility to provide safe care. The report, known as the Francis Report, also revealed a culture of failed management where poor medical practice was ignored and patient complaints were either dismissed or overlooked.

These findings were particular disturbing for me, Dr Tariq Drabu Dentist, to hear as I have formerly worked at Stafford Hospital in the oral surgery department back in 1987. I found the staff to be wonderful and very supportive, which is why I am devastated to hear that the high standards that I once witnessed have not  been maintained. I fundamentally believe in the ethos and values of the NHS and I am proud to be an NHS dentist in an area of high social deprivation and high needs. It is the high quality that myself and my staff have given patients over the last 15 years that has given my practice such a good reputation. As we are all registered with the GDC, The General Dental Council, we are committed to putting our patients’ needs first and offering quality, superb care. Because we are so dedicated to our patients we find it even more shocking that some members of the NHS at Stafford Hospital don’t share the same values that we do here at Langley Dental Group.

As the team leader, senior dentist and director of Langley Dental Group I always encourage an open and honest culture not just to my patients but also to my staff, where they should feel that they are always able to come forward without any fear of being judged, ignored or overlooked. Although there are currently doubts about the accuracy of the NHS Family and Friends Test, hopefully the results will eventually show us where the main problems in the NHS lie, in order for hospitals to be able to review the care they are offering patients and ultimately offer an outstanding, professional service, like the one here at Langley Dental Practice.

To keep up with all my latest news, be sure to follow me on twitter @TariqJDrabu

Dentist Tariq Drabu Talks About New GDC Guidelines

In June the GDC (General Dental Council) approved new standards for the Dental Team, which will replace the current Standards Guidance and accompanying statements. The new guidelines will come in to effect in September; however, the Scope of Practice isn’t included in these changes.

These standards aren’t just for the dentists, but for all members of the dental team, including dental nurses, dental hygienists, dental therapists, orthodontic therapists and dental technicians.

We are all registered with the GDC here at the Langley Dental Practice and fully support these new standards.There are nine principles that registered dental professionals must keep to at all times. Principles state what members of the dental team must do, as well as information being provided for extra things they could do to make the patients experience even better.

1.      Put patients’ interests first: Members of the dental team must listen to their patients, be honest with them and treat them with dignity and respect at all times. They must also treat patients in a hygienic and safe environment, putting a patient’s interests before their own or their colleagues.

2.      Communicate effectively with patients: Members of the dental team must recognise and promote a patient’s rights, as well as giving them the information they need in a way they can understand, in order for them to make informed decisions. The dental team are also responsible for giving patients clear information about costs.

3.      Obtain valid consent: Members of the dental team must have valid consent before starting a patient’s treatment, whilst also making sure the patient understands the decisions they are being asked to make. They also have the duty to make sure that patients consent remains valid throughout each stage of the treatment.

4.      Maintain and protect patients’ information: Members of the dental team must keep accurate and up to date records, whilst making sure they protect the confidentiality of the patient. They must also offer the patient access to the information they hold about them and only release information to third parties without the patient’s consent in exceptional circumstances.

5.      Have a clear and effective complaints procedure: Members of the dental team must respect a patient’s right to complaint, making sure there is an effective complaints procedure readily available for patients to use. They must also provide patients with a prompt and constructive response when a complaint has been made.

6.      Work with colleagues in a way that is in patients’ best interests: Work effectively with your colleagues, contribute to good teamwork, as well as communicating clearly and effectively with team members and colleagues at all times.

7.      Maintain, develop and work within your professional knowledge and skills: Provide good quality care, whilst working within your knowledge skills, professional competence and abilities.

8.      Raise concerns if patients are at risk: Always put a patient’s safety first and act promptly if a patient or colleague is at risk, taking necessary measures to protect them.

9.      Make sure your personal behaviour maintains patients’ confidence in you and the dental profession: Protect patients and colleagues from risks posed by your health, conduct or performance and inform the GDC if you are subject to any criminal proceedings.

These principles are not listed in order of priority, as they are all equally as important and failure to follow them may result in a member of the dental team being removed from the GDC’s register. For more information on these principles visit the GDC’s official website: http://www.gdc-uk.org/Dentalprofessionals/Standards/Pages/standards.aspx

Regards,

Tariq Drabu Dentist