Fee setting and Payment Choices

How much does quality dental care cost?

LCIAD does not have a set “fee per item” fee structure but rather a time and costs-based fee calculation method which may be different to most other practices. What we charge depends not only on what we plan to do, but more significantly on how we plan to do it and the steps required to get to a given result.

As an example: Patients often ask us how much we charge for a dental implant.

With respect, this is not the right question. We do not sell implants. We provide advice and necessary treatment to solve dental problems that you may have. This may of course require one or more dental implants, but it may also require many other things related to replacement of a missing tooth including consultation, information collection, planning, disease control, bite stabilisation, bone and tissue augmentation, planning of implant positions, manufacture of surgical guides and provisional restorations and then finalisation with defintive restorations on the implants. The order in which this is carried out also has a bearing on long term success especially where there are risk factors in an individual patient.

Accordingly, we consider all of the clinical care and steps that you may require to get you from your current condition to the end of treatment. Once we have met you, seen your dental situation, discussed your requirements, studied your case in detail and planned exactly what we are going to do step-by-step, then we will customise a written estimate for you, at that time under those particular circumstances. There are therefore simply too many variables and possible treatment items available to provide a meaningful list of fees. This is also why we charge additional fees for the private time we spend to really study your case and write comprehensive reports to provide you with the best advice outside practice hours.

Dealing with insurance claims

We are often asked by patients to provide itemised bills for them to be able to reclaim fees from their insurance.

Unfortunately, most insurance companies are based on the old NHS method of remuneration where each item of treatment has an attached fee. This is carried over from a bureaucratic approach to “fee per item” treatment and simply is not how modern dentistry is approached or carried out. We therefore made a clinical decision a long time ago not to have our patient care influenced by how an insurance company feels we should structure our clinical care sequences and procedures based on arbitrary lists of items that may be decades out of date.

We do not sell items of treatment. We do not have a fee for a filling, or an implant or indeed any other item of treatment. We have a fee based on professional time, experience, knowledge and skillset. In our view, every patient is different and every item of treatment requires a case-by-case approach which we avaluate and estimate clearly for in advance of any treatment. For us, a fee per item structure is akin to a barrister charging for paper and ink rather than their knowledge and skillset.

We ask you to pay for the knowledge, experience, time and skill of the clinician. The practice pays for the dentistry and all related costs.

Fee structuring

Whilst we break down in detail what has been done in a particular visit or for a particular phase of treatment, this is based on the time we have taken and the preparatory work that we have had to do in your absence in our own time rather than being a list of items charged at a given rate. We feel strongly that we are a profession and not a sale point of commodities. Fees charged are professional hourly rates which we set and regularly review based on costs that we incur in providing you with the service that we do. This can vary tremendously from patient to patient and case to case.

We always provide individual, customised, written estimates in advance of any elective treatment for your approval and signed consent after gathering sufficient information from your consultation appointment(s). We provide a guide below to allow an appraisal of ballpark figures prior to attending the practice so that you’re aware of the levels of investment likely to be involved for the standard of work we provide. (Please note that these are guidelines based on current fees and should not be taken as quotes).

Please be assured that we always endeavour to be as cost-effective as possible especially in the long term. Our fees are calculated based on actual time and costs to us of carrying out a particular plan of dental care to a particular standard. The scope of work that we carry out, especially where extensive, full-mouth dentistry is being carried out, is often tremendously time-consuming and labour-intensive, including time spent on your case in your absence, and our fees must necessarily reflect this. However we always believe that the long term value of quality diagnosis, advice and ongoing documented care easily makes up for the initial investment and this is the foundation on which LCIAD’s success over 2 decades is built.

  • “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” – Benjamin Franklin
  • “You seldom improve quality by cutting costs, but you can often cut costs by improving quality”  – Karl Albrecht
  • “There is nothing more expensive than cheap dentistry” – Patient who’s work we had to rectify after having had extensive dental work carried out abroad

Flexible Ways to Pay

WE OFFER:

  • Phased payments in advance of each phase of treatment
  • 50% in advance, 50% halfway through treatment
  • Payment plans extending from 12 months interest-free and up to 60 months interest-bearing (Tabeo Finance). Please note that LCIAD must receive all monies prior to elective treatment commencing.
  • 7.5% fee reduction for full advance payment of estimates over £10,000
  • We can also discuss other arrangements depending on the particular estimate and timetable for any given case.

We provide bank details for BACS transfers together with written estimates after consultation.

We regret that we do not accept cheques or American Express for payments.

Important announcement regarding “Confirmation of Payee” and Metrobank 

As a result of banking regulations that came into force in March 2020 and the introduction of a scheme known as “Confirmation of Payee,” we have recently experienced an increase in the numbers of new patients that are wary of making payments to LCIAD

When LCIAD’s details are entered into the payee box, some banks state that they are unable to verify us as a valid company or entity. Naturally this arouses suspicions with some new patients to LCIAD and we have had patients unwilling to make initial payment to us for consultations.

This is because Metrobank, who is LCIAD’s bank, have not been obliged to join the scheme. Please be assured that LCIAD is indeed a valid business registered with Companies House.  The letter on the link below explains the situation in more detail for your information together with a link to LCIAD’s Companies House registration.

Metrobank Confirmation of Payee (COP)

I aplogise for any inconvenience to new patients to the practice until this issue is fully resolved by the banks.

Dr Koray Feran BDS MSc FDSRCS FCGDent FICD
Clinical Director

Consultation and reporting - From 1st January 2023

New Patient Consultation

For all patients attending LCIAD for the first time or after an absence of more than 5 years. Payable prior to appointment confirmation.

For all patients attending LCIAD for the first time or after an absence of more than 5 years. Payable prior to appointment confirmation.

£400

Preliminary Dental Report (PDR)

Included in New patient consultation

Included in New patient consultation

Full dental report (FDR)

If ordered at time of New Patient Consultation instead of Preliminary Dental Report (PDR)

If ordered at time of New Patient Consultation instead of Preliminary Dental Report (PDR)

£440

Full dental report (FDR) or additional treatment planning and reporting

If ordered separately

If ordered separately

£220 per hour up to £880

Full case assessment and laboratory planning

Full records for laboratory analysis, planning, digital / laboratory design, duplicate models and indexes

Full records for laboratory analysis, planning, digital / laboratory design, duplicate models and indexes

£2,200-£2,700

Regular examination

Regular examination (30 minutes) for existing patients. Radiographs are charged additionally at £18 each

Regular examination (30 minutes) for existing patients. Radiographs are charged additionally at £18 each

£200

Extended examination

Extended examination (1 hour) for patients that were previously patients at LCIAD but have not returned for examination or hygiene visits for more then 2 years. Includes radiographs as required.

Extended examination (1 hour) for patients that were previously patients at LCIAD but have not returned for examination or hygiene visits for more then 2 years. Includes radiographs as required.

£340

Hygiene and Therapy Service fees - From 1st January 2023

New patient hygiene appointment

First 1.5 hour hygienist / therapist appointment for all new patients. Taking of baseline health records and periodontal diagnosis, dietary, hygiene, anti-habit advice, initial hygiene cleaning and advice on maintenance care throughout treatment and beyond

First 1.5 hour hygienist / therapist appointment for all new patients. Taking of baseline health records and periodontal diagnosis, dietary, hygiene, anti-habit advice, initial hygiene cleaning and advice on maintenance care throughout treatment and beyond

£300

Hygiene appointment per hour

Dental hygienist per hour (our standard hygiene appointment will be for one hour unless otherwise arranged)

Dental hygienist per hour (our standard hygiene appointment will be for one hour unless otherwise arranged)

£200

Hygiene / therapist appointment per hour

Advanced periodontal treatment, children’s dentistry, adult dental restorative therapy per hour

Advanced periodontal treatment, children’s dentistry, adult dental restorative therapy per hour

£340

Treatment fees standard - From 1st January 2023

Hourly rate for general dentistry

To include all routine non-laboratory restorative dental care, non-surgical periodontal treatment, root canal treatment, diagnostic visits, non-surgical extractions, emergency appointments, chairside temporary and provisional crowns, re-cementations, repairs and relines of definitive restorations and additional consultations. Hourly rate billing allows us to charge fairly depending on complexity of the work and allows more cost-efficient use of time when multiple procedures are being carried out in one appointment.

To include all routine non-laboratory restorative dental care, non-surgical periodontal treatment, root canal treatment, diagnostic visits, non-surgical extractions, emergency appointments, chairside temporary and provisional crowns, re-cementations, repairs and relines of definitive restorations and additional consultations. Hourly rate billing allows us to charge fairly depending on complexity of the work and allows more cost-efficient use of time when multiple procedures are being carried out in one appointment.

£880 per hour

Hourly rate for surgical dentistry

To include surgical treatment and disposables, all medication, suture removal and review appointments: surgical extractions, biopsy, minor oral surgery, surgical periodontics, bone augmentation and sinus augmentation surgery (excluding implants, augmentation materials and pathology or diagnostic laboratory fees). Hourly rate billing allows us to charge fairly depending on complexity of the work and allows more cost-efficient use of time when multiple procedures are being carried out in one appointment.

To include surgical treatment and disposables, all medication, suture removal and review appointments: surgical extractions, biopsy, minor oral surgery, surgical periodontics, bone augmentation and sinus augmentation surgery (excluding implants, augmentation materials and pathology or diagnostic laboratory fees). Hourly rate billing allows us to charge fairly depending on complexity of the work and allows more cost-efficient use of time when multiple procedures are being carried out in one appointment.

£960 per hour

Overlays, veneers, crowns and bridges per unit

Overlay, crown or veneer including preparation, chairside provisionalisation and gingival conditioning, impression, laboratory prescription, customised shade taking, laboratory fee (Lithium disilicate, feldspathic or zirconia all-ceramic or ceramometal where indicated), customisation and fitting, review and 5-year guarantee as per terms and conditions. Fees depend on difficulty and aesthetic demands and further fees may be chargeable in cases where more time or laboratory fees are incurred to achieve a desired result. (£800 additional fees for matching of single front teeth including lab consultation and same day customisation) Initial core restorations underneath crowns will be carried out at normal hourly rates for general dentistry.

Overlay, crown or veneer including preparation, chairside provisionalisation and gingival conditioning, impression, laboratory prescription, customised shade taking, laboratory fee (Lithium disilicate, feldspathic or zirconia all-ceramic or ceramometal where indicated), customisation and fitting, review and 5-year guarantee as per terms and conditions. Fees depend on difficulty and aesthetic demands and further fees may be chargeable in cases where more time or laboratory fees are incurred to achieve a desired result. (£800 additional fees for matching of single front teeth including lab consultation and same day customisation) Initial core restorations underneath crowns will be carried out at normal hourly rates for general dentistry.

£2,000-£2,800

CBCT scans

We now utilise exclusively Cone Beam CT technology. Scans are taken at Cavendish Imaging nearby and reformatted digital data is transmitted to us for analysis and case planning on suitable implant planning software. Fees for scans may vary beyond our control and are normally paid directly to the scanning centre on the day of scanning. More information can be obtained from Cavendish Imaging.

We now utilise exclusively Cone Beam CT technology. Scans are taken at Cavendish Imaging nearby and reformatted digital data is transmitted to us for analysis and case planning on suitable implant planning software. Fees for scans may vary beyond our control and are normally paid directly to the scanning centre on the day of scanning. More information can be obtained from Cavendish Imaging.

£295-£395

CBCT report

CBCT report on findings of CBCT scan. (This is now mandatory after a CBCT scan has been prescribed and taken).

CBCT report on findings of CBCT scan. (This is now mandatory after a CBCT scan has been prescribed and taken).

£180-240

Digital planning

Digital optical scanning / planning of tooth shapes / anatomy / implant positions, merging of optical and CBCT scans / printed models and working indexes

Digital optical scanning / planning of tooth shapes / anatomy / implant positions, merging of optical and CBCT scans / printed models and working indexes

£220-£1,200

Treatment fees for dental implants and bone augmentation - From 1st January 2023

Implant surgery

Surgical placement of dental implant - costs will vary depending on complexity of case, requirement for bone and tissue augmentation and other factors

Surgical placement of dental implant - costs will vary depending on complexity of case, requirement for bone and tissue augmentation and other factors

£1,800-£2,600

Bone or sinus augmentation

Per site depending on complexity, volume and type of grafting - to be estimated individually after consultation and CBCT scan and report

Per site depending on complexity, volume and type of grafting - to be estimated individually after consultation and CBCT scan and report

£1,800 - £4,800

Implant restorations - single crown

Single CAD-CAM abutment in titanium or hybrid titanium/zirconia and implant crown in ceramometal or all-ceramic

Single CAD-CAM abutment in titanium or hybrid titanium/zirconia and implant crown in ceramometal or all-ceramic

£2,950

Treatment fees - full mouth rehabilitation on teeth and / or dental implants - From 1st January 2023. All cases will be planned and estimated individually. These figures represent a range of fees applied to similar cases in the last year.

Full mouth rehabilitation on teeth or implants (straightforward / advanced)

Inclusive of full case assessment and laboratory planning, all treatment stages and laboratory fees and guarantees as per our terms and conditions – individual estimates will be given after consultation and full case assessment

Inclusive of full case assessment and laboratory planning, all treatment stages and laboratory fees and guarantees as per our terms and conditions – individual estimates will be given after consultation and full case assessment

£60,000 – £90,000

Full mouth rehabilitation on teeth or dental implants (complex)

Inclusive of full case assessment and laboratory planning, all treatment stages and laboratory fees and guarantees as per our terms and conditions – individual estimates will be given after consultation and full case assessment

Inclusive of full case assessment and laboratory planning, all treatment stages and laboratory fees and guarantees as per our terms and conditions – individual estimates will be given after consultation and full case assessment

£70,000-£130,000

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