eddoakley Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 Had a letter from the dentist a few months back: "From time to time we check out records and it's seems that you owe £40 for services rendered.....If we have made a mistake please disregard this letter" They had made a mistake so the letter was duely binned. I called them to confirm an appointment time and pointed out that they had indeed made a mistake in sending me the letter. The young lady appoligised and said she would update the records. A few weeks later and another letter: "despite previous reminders you have not paid.....If we have made a mistake please disregard. Other wise legal action" So a quick call to explain that I have paid and it's always the same procedure, appointment, pay, book for next time. "Well you will have to prove it" I was told. I asked if they wanted to prove that I hadn't and they just said that they would stop seeing me and use a debt collector. I asked when they were going to pay the invoice that I had sent them for my services (I hadn't obviously) and they said that I would have to prove that they owed me something.... I called in today to alter an appointment and was told that if I don't prove that I have paid them then they won't see me. Why is it up to me to prove that I paid? Edd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotgcoalman Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 I got a nice bill from the NHS for the sons dental check up. £21 + £100 fine. No one at the dentist told us that "college students" had to pay and we assumed he was still exempt due to being in full time education. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 It used To be until a certain age iirc 19 in full time education they got free treatment. Dentists are getting greedy in the last decade or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wb123 Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 My dentist always give me a printed plan for treatment with itemised costs for each visit paid at each visit. Never anything as low as £40 though. Each trip tends to be £200-£400. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countryman Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 My dentist makes you pay before you even see her now, apparently people were walking out the door and not paying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewluke Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 even though you have to pay ask for nhs prices for the work done,it's alot cheaper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 2 hours ago, gotgcoalman said: I got a nice bill from the NHS for the sons dental check up. £21 + £100 fine. No one at the dentist told us that "college students" had to pay and we assumed he was still exempt due to being in full time education. I’ve jusf had £300 in fines off the nhs for prescriptions . Luckily they’ve cancelled it. I tried renewing my prepayment and it said still valid. Next I get a fin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoolinDalton Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 4 hours ago, eddoakley said: Had a letter from the dentist a few months back: "From time to time we check out records and it's seems that you owe £40 for services rendered.....If we have made a mistake please disregard this letter" They had made a mistake so the letter was duely binned. I called them to confirm an appointment time and pointed out that they had indeed made a mistake in sending me the letter. The young lady appoligised and said she would update the records. A few weeks later and another letter: "despite previous reminders you have not paid.....If we have made a mistake please disregard. Other wise legal action" So a quick call to explain that I have paid and it's always the same procedure, appointment, pay, book for next time. "Well you will have to prove it" I was told. I asked if they wanted to prove that I hadn't and they just said that they would stop seeing me and use a debt collector. I asked when they were going to pay the invoice that I had sent them for my services (I hadn't obviously) and they said that I would have to prove that they owed me something.... I called in today to alter an appointment and was told that if I don't prove that I have paid them then they won't see me. Why is it up to me to prove that I paid? Edd It's up to them to prove that you haven't paid. 'Innocent until proven guilty'.....so I would suggest that you ask them to prove that you did not pay and provide the actual paperwork/ computer printout with time/ date of the dental work done, the cost, etc. Did you pay by card? If so, there should be a record of it on your bank statement. If you paid by cash, they should have given you a receipt and retained a copy for themselves. Did they give you an invoice, if you didn't pay immediately? Finally, if you are 100% sure that you have paid this bill and can prove it, then tell them that you are prepared to go to court if they take the matter any further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodbepigeonshooter Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 Just guessing but the original thread was about dental debt. Is your dental practice a large chain ie My Dentist? I did hear they had been hacked and lost data a few years ago so are not sure whether people owe money or not so even if you do just say no as the iIT systems should be better protected. Kids in college / Uni still exempt you can claim it back or just evidence they aren’t in edu action and you will not be charged / fined Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sako7mm Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 24 minutes ago, Woodbepigeonshooter said: Kids in college / Uni still exempt you can claim it back or just evidence they aren’t in edu action and you will not be charged / fined Only exempt if they have a valid HC2 form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted March 12, 2019 Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 16% of all dentists in the UK earn more than £500,000 a year (office of national statistics) Making it hugely more profitable than doctors, lawyers etc. Even a top heart transplant surgeon doesn't earn as much as these dentists Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted March 12, 2019 Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 2 hours ago, DoolinDalton said: It's up to them to prove that you haven't paid. 'Innocent until proven guilty'.....so I would suggest that you ask them to prove that you did not pay and provide the actual paperwork/ computer printout with time/ date of the dental work done, the cost, etc. Did you pay by card? If so, there should be a record of it on your bank statement. If you paid by cash, they should have given you a receipt and retained a copy for themselves. Did they give you an invoice, if you didn't pay immediately? Finally, if you are 100% sure that you have paid this bill and can prove it, then tell them that you are prepared to go to court if they take the matter any further. You are missing the point, they will just drop you and you won't get signed on with another practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sako7mm Posted March 12, 2019 Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 7 minutes ago, Vince Green said: 16% of all dentists in the UK earn more than £500,000 a year (office of national statistics) Making it hugely more profitable than doctors, lawyers etc. Even a top heart transplant surgeon doesn't earn as much as these dentists They’re certainly not earning that in general practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted March 12, 2019 Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 It would be a lot less messing about if you just took a copy in of your payment transaction. Job done, then express politely and firmly your disappointment in their poor book keeping. Leaves you on the high ground and them to apologise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewh100 Posted March 12, 2019 Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 7 hours ago, DoolinDalton said: It's up to them to prove that you haven't paid. 'Innocent until proven guilty'.....so I would suggest that you ask them to prove that you did not pay and provide the actual paperwork/ computer printout with time/ date of the dental work done, the cost, etc. Did you pay by card? If so, there should be a record of it on your bank statement. If you paid by cash, they should have given you a receipt and retained a copy for themselves. Did they give you an invoice, if you didn't pay immediately? Finally, if you are 100% sure that you have paid this bill and can prove it, then tell them that you are prepared to go to court if they take the matter any further. this is correct iv just asked my wife who is an hygienist, the practice should have a copy of every payment as should you even if you paid by card or cash so you shouldn't have to prove anything it should be on record Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medic1281 Posted March 12, 2019 Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 3 hours ago, davewh100 said: this is correct iv just asked my wife who is an hygienist, the practice should have a copy of every payment as should you even if you paid by card or cash so you shouldn't have to prove anything it should be on record But they can’t prove a negative. They can only prove he has paid, they can not prove that he hasn’t. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumpy69 Posted March 12, 2019 Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 10 hours ago, Vince Green said: 16% of all dentists in the UK earn more than £500,000 a year (office of national statistics) Making it hugely more profitable than doctors, lawyers etc. Even a top heart transplant surgeon doesn't earn as much as these dentists I wish all dentists earned this or even close to it, my mrs is a dentist and brings no where near that home. If she did I would probably stop working and finally get the house finished and be able to go on more extravagant holidays than taking the caravan to the west coast. Generally if a dentist is an associate half of what they earn goes to the practice owner sometimes more, although this covers the nurse and rent of the room including chair and equipment. If someone does not pay not only does the associate not earn anything for the treatment carried out they also have to pay the practice owner for the other half of the expenses. If the practice is NHS they also have a duty of care for all patients on their books and cannot by law refuse to treat someone who is in pain no matter how much they are in debt to the dentist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddoakley Posted March 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 As much as anything it's the attitude that has annoyed me. The 1st girl said that they would update the records, their own letter says "if we have made a mistake..." Since then it's like I'm taking their own personal cash and each person I have spoke to has just been a r see. I have actually now found the payment going out of my bank, on the day I had the treatment, but why did I have to do that? Surely if they think I haven't paid they should just check their bank around that date?!?! I'm actually happy to let them carry on with solicitors etc and then just produce my bank statement, just to make a point that they should have checked before telling me several times that I hadn't paid! Edd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Munzy Posted March 12, 2019 Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 11 hours ago, loriusgarrulus said: It would be a lot less messing about if you just took a copy in of your payment transaction. Job done, then express politely and firmly your disappointment in their poor book keeping. Leaves you on the high ground and them to apologise. This. How on earth are they supposed to prove you haven’t paid? Are they supposed to provide copies of their bank statements and till receipts showing that you DON’T appear on them? Whilst it might be annoying to you any sensible person will see that the sensible solution is to prove you paid which is far quicker and easier for you to do. 36 minutes ago, eddoakley said: As much as anything it's the attitude that has annoyed me. Then do yourself a favour, prove to them that you’ve paid and then write to the practice owner to say they have lost your business because of their bad attitude. Then go elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted March 24, 2019 Report Share Posted March 24, 2019 Did this get sorted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddoakley Posted March 24, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2019 48 minutes ago, strimmer_13 said: Did this get sorted? Not yet. I've been very busy and not had time to go there again but I do have an appointment booked in a couple of weeks so if I haven;t heard from them by that date I will take a copy of my bank statement along. Edd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manthing Posted March 25, 2019 Report Share Posted March 25, 2019 I'd take the statement in and show them, on the way to my new dentist. And I'd tell all my friends and the local paper. If you keep to facts they can't say a word. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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