The Dental Council has issued the Code of Practice relating to Display of Fees in Private Practices. This Code of Practice came into effect on 1 June 2011 and made it mandatory for dentists to display private fees in a place where patients can view them before consultation. The fee notice must be at least A4 size (29.7 x 21cm or 11.7 x 8.3in) and be legible, accurate and up-to-date. It must be prominently displayed in the practice and must be situated in a place where the patient could reasonably be expected to see the list before the consultation. It is recommended that the fee notice be displayed at any of the following locations:
- Entrance to the practice
- Reception area(s)
- Waiting room(s)
Dentists with websites must also display fees in a similar format. The fees displayed must be accurate, transparent and inclusive of all costs. Dentists must display a single fee only for the following treatments:
- Examination, diagnosis and treatment plan
- Hygiene treatment (hygienist) – per visit
- Hygiene treatment (dentist) – per visit
- X-rays – large (OPG)
- Prescription
Dentists must display fees for the following treatments and these may be displayed in the form of a range of fees. If displaying a range of fees, both the minimum and maximum fee must be shown. It is not permitted to set a minimum price only for any treatment:
- Advanced gum treatment
- Restorations – white (composite resin)
- Restorations – silver (amalgam)
- Acrylic-based dentures
- Metal-based dentures
- Root canal treatment
- Routine extraction
- Surgical extraction
- Core/post preparation
- Crowns
Further information and advice is available here