My poor mum has fallen flat on her face and knocked her front teeth out 😢
I assumed her treatment would be free as she is 78 but my brother thinks you have to pay. Someone said they had a dental implant and it was £2,500 and my mum needs two.
It happened yesterday early evening so they can’t speak to the dentist until Monday and hopefully by then the swelling may have subsided. Does anyone know anything about paying for dental treatment like this when you are retired and also as it was caused by an accident does that get taken into consideration?
Thank you in advance
Ali 🙂
Written by
Agoodenough
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Ah thank you Jerry I will have a look at the link, that’s thoughtful of you.
It is awful as it’s the first thing that has ever happened to them since they have got older and they live 3 hours away.
Here in cardiff we have a dental hospital and they give you free treatment and perhaps there's one near you that can help and sort out some treatment for free.
It's horrible having a fall as it jars you no matter how fit and healthy you supposedly are.
That’s very true. My poor mum, she tripped over an extension lead my dad had left lying around so he feels bad. Strangely the whole impact was on her mouth. Maybe she didn’t have time to put her arms out. She said she’s fine and she didn’t like her front teeth anyway lol 😂
So it looks like if she has a bridge it will be £269. 30 so I would imagine it will be somewhere around there. Thank you for this Jerry as it’s been helpful and when I looked I didn’t See these charges x
Does your mum receive any state benefits such as Pension Credit, if so she may not have to pay. I worked in benefits but so much as changed since I retired. From memory if you were in receipt of Income Support (Universal Credit) then you got extra benefits. However, if your does not receive Pension Credit Guaranteed then she will have to pay anything over the allowed free nhs treatment. She will be better seeing an NHS dentist. Hope she feels better soon.
I’ve been looking into this. They receive pension credit but it’s such a small amount 70p a week! My mum said she has asked about this before and they said she has to pay. I’ve told her to ask again. When I looked into this I decided she probably doesn’t get Pension credit guaranteed as it’s divided into two sections and she gets the other part which is called savings credit? Thank you for your reply x
If pension credit is Guaranteed how small the amount, I think l from memory she shouldn't have to pay. The key word is guaranteed!! Get mum to check. Good luck
Thank you for your help. She does have to pay but it’s a denture plate the dentist said was her best option so at least it’s not 1000s so we can sort that out for her. Thank you for all your advice x
Sorry to hear about your Mum's fall. Hope she is comfortable and that the swelling subsides soon, and hope she can get the appropriate treatment at a cost that is reasonable.
Oh heavens how truly awful and so upsetting. I winced with pain just reading your post ... How unlucky, your poor Ma and everybody around her who will feel bad on her behalf... My thoughts are with her, poor sweetie.
I did read a while back an excellent article written in the Guardian by a reporter himself who had been disgusted at the outrageous cost of dentistry in the UK, and therefore he did his homework before setting off abroad in search of better, cheaper dentistry destinations.
It used to be Poland, but now today, it's Hungary. He went and was so impressed with the quality of his treatment, his care plan as well as the quality of implants used, that he detailed his trip in toto in the article, in order to spread the word that dental implant are affordable.
The clinic in question even organised travel and stay over during the time it took for him to have the work done. They even cater for accompanying partners!
I know your Ma said she would have a plate, but if you want me to research it for you, I will.
That's so kind of you. She will only go to her local dentist she wont even enquire with the local hospital. I'm sure she could have gone there and got an emergency appointment. She thinks her dentist is very good. I know some one who went to Hungary for dental treatment but hadnt realised they had such a good standard there. Thank you for your reply and kind words x
If she is confident in her dentist and he/she is very good then that is a treasure indeed these days. They will advise her as to what is best approach to take. Her calm stoic approach is the best way to deal with this as they will want to do the best they can for her I am sure. When dentists are 'very good' they are pretty special people, I know as my Ma also has a marvelous chap who is extremely gifted and very caring. You are lucky to have somebody she rates highly. Let's us know how she does on Monday.
If snytyhy changes, let me know and I will research the infos.
I am so sorry for your mum, what a terrible shock. Implants are expensive. My sister fell when running a marathon 2 years ago and knocked her two front teeth out, her face was in a terrible mess. She was 60. She ended up having to go private for the implants. It will have knocked the confidence out of your mum and really have shaken her up. I hope she recovers quickly and can get her teeth sorted out. 🌈🌸
Oh dear. Your poor sister. Its horrible to imagine it happening. My mum is a bit shaken up but she says she doesnt want it to be an expense. Shes not too concerned with how it's going to look lol. She is going to stay with my sister in a fortnight and shes going teeth or no teeth haha x
Hope she's not in too much pain, She must be so shaken up, bless her.
I'm 76 years old and I have to pay for all my Dental Treatment.
Implants cost a lot more than the plates.
If she's got injuries to her mouth that the dentist thinks she might need specialist treatment. he'll probably refer her to Maxillofacial Facial at your Local Hospital. If he does that she won't have to pay anything. Or if either of your Parents are on Pension Credit, I don't think that she'll have to pay.
Ask them to make sure about the Pension Credit. When we get older we don't always know what we're entitled to. Nobody bothers to tell us.
Hope you're Mum will be feeling better soon. You must be so worried, please try not to stress yourself too much.
Thank you for your reply and I think they might well be on pension credit. I'll tell my mum to tell them. That might solve the problem of costs. Thank you x
Hi , if your Parents are on Pension Credit, tell her to take the proof of Pension Credit that your Parents will have in a lette .She won't have to pay anything then .Tell her not to worry about the cost, she won't have to pay anything. My Hubby have just applied for it. He should get it.( I hope ). Hope your Mum is feeling a little better today. I know that if she feels better, so will you. Good Luck q👍💐
Thank you so much. I’ve been looking into this. Was finding it hard to find information on how to prove you’re on pension credit so I will call my mum now. Thank you xx
You're welcome,Our Neighbour is on Pension Credit, he said that you're Parents should have a Form proving that they are on it. The Dentist don't take a word of mouth about it. You have to be able to prove it. Hope you're Mum feels a little more comfortable today. Having a fall at our age is a Shock to the system , besides the Physical damage that your Mum had. Good Luck and Take Care. To You, your Mum and your Dad..🤞💞
I'm really sorry to hear about your poor mum Ag, what a dreadful shock that must have been for her. I can understand you worrying about it as mum's are precious (dad's too). I was going to agree with catgirl as there is a dental hospital in Bristol too but if your mum has a dentist, then she would be better off going there, especially as she likes him. I hope she can get it sorted quickly as it must be awful for her. Your poor dad, he must feel really dreadful too but it's just one of those things isn't it. xx
Hi Ag, I'm just wishing your mum a speedy and successful outcome to any treatment. I'm sure a plate would be far less invasive and your mum sounds sensibke with a good dose of humour.
Ah thank you. She is trying not to make anything of it and of course all her children are horrified that it’s happened. I think a plate might be a good option. Thank you x
I fell flat on my face last week chipped front tooth and thought I'd broke my nose now the swelling has gone down considerably I have appointment at dentist on Tuesday and I dont pay. Think if your mum receives any sort of benefits it should be free
Oh no. Poor you. She was amazed she hadn’t broken her nose. I’m going to call and find out if they are definately receiving pension credit. Thank you for your reply x
Awwe your Poor mom, when we start getting older that’s the thing that could most likely kill us. I’ve fallen twice. The first time I hurt my knee, I had therapy for it. More recently I fell on my back and hit my head. I was sore for awhile. Over here in the USA we have MEDICARE as far as dental issues it would only pay for a cleaning, wouldn’t pay for implants. I wish a good outcome for your mom? 🙏
Hi, sorry to hear about your mums accident, I'm not sure about this ,but I think I'm right,does your mum receive pension credit, too up her pension, cos if she does she will be entitled to free dental work, if she doesn't then I think she will have to pay 😪😪😪 hope she gets it sorted, dentists are so expensive
Ooh no! Bless her. It is a big shock as well as painful. I don't know anything about dental charges but surely that can't be right. Has she got some personal insurance? I can only suggest that you check on NHS website and or contact your Dentist/GP. I hope you find an affordable way. I do hope your mum is feeling better soon. x
Hi. I fell just 10 days out of hospital nearly 2 years ago chipped my front tooth and broke my wrist. Dentist did a good repair job for small price, just not sure with Covid what dentists are able to do now apart from examine, them maybe refer her to local hospital for treatment x
Oh I am so, so sorry to hear Ali. How dreadful for her and all of you. I do know that dental implants are dreadfully expensive and not available under NHS treatments, as dentures are generally a cheaper option. I'm not sure what the situation is if only an implant will do, but somehow I doubt that would be easy to have funded.
But probably better to have a consultation with a dentist first as they have all the current information regarding costs and treatments which are NHS available.
Some years ago a dentist giving me treatment recommended one which wasn't available under the NHS and there was then a process for requesting that treatment if it was the only option. but I'd hesitate to say it's still the procedure. I hope you can find the best outcome for her Ali. 🙏
Thank you so much. I’m going to say to my mum to tell them she’s on pension credit as I’m pretty sure they get a very small amount. If not I will pay or pay towards it so it’s not a worry for them. Thank you for your reply. Poor mum x
That’s what I said apparently they broke into pieces and bits in her lip. She didn’t want to go to hospital. Think they would have sorted her out but she wants the swelling to go down first.
I don't know if you are in the UK or the USA, but did she go to A&E? Many main hospitals in UK have a teaching school, and though in theory in UK dental is free for pensioners; in practice it often isn't. A dental school might be the best place to enquire. At a teaching Hospital student dentists are supervised, so it should be safe, and free. You can try, but I don't know how you would get on.
If her teeth broke off and the root is still I in the gum. They can cap them.but you have to have the root left there. If they are out completely I would suggest a bridge as plate must me dreadfull
.I had my teeth capped for cosmetic reasons. My front teeth crossed slightly it was genetic. When I had my second child my dentist capped them for free
I have since capped 6 front teeth for cosmetic reasons. They look fab. Absolutely perfect. There will be a solution I'm Sure. .wishing your Mum well. Xx Sheila 💕
Maybe get her checked out at A and E as the focus may be on her mouth but these falls can shake you up . They may suggest x ray on jaw . I had a hockey stick whacked into my mouth . I was working full time , no benefits but got my smashed teeth sorted for free after visiting A and E . It was deemed as care because I couldn't eat properly if treatment wasn't sorted.
Sorry to hear this hope shes feeling a bit less painful today. Do you have a local dental hospital? They will often do things like this free or at much reduced rate for the students to practice. It may be too late by now but if ever anything like this happens again if you put the teeth into a glass of milk they can be regimented into place. You could also ring 111 for advice and a dentist open today.
Sorry to hear of your mums fall. Unfortunately only those on pension credit get things free. However There is a maximum fee for NHS treatment including dental plate but not inplants . It is less than £300 I beleive sorry not sure of the exact amount as I get help towards dental care so only pay a maximum of £175. Its just the dental costs can come as a shock on top of the shock from the fall. Hope your mum is feeling a little better today . I am sure her usual dentist will do his best for her. Take care and keep an eye on your mum falls are not good as we get older.
Hi The outcome was she has to have a bridge denture type thing. The dentist said that was the best option for her. My mum says if she had to knock any out then she would prefer it was the top two lol. They took the roots out this morning and when it’s all healed and her face isn’t so swollen they will measure up for the plate. She has to pay as they only get 70p a week pension credit and a reply I had on here said you have to have the guaranteed pension credit but that’s okay we can sort that out. Thank you for your best wishes x
Oh dear. Poor you that’s not good. I think my parents get a very very low amount of pension credit. I remember my dad saying they only got a few pounds a month but think that might help in this case 🤞
I’m so sorry that your mum had such a bad accident! I hope she makes a speedy recovery and that she gets to see her dentist tomorrow 🤞
I’ve been trying to see my dentist for months! I won’t bore you with the long saga of my broken tooth - if I didn’t have such a great dentist I would have tried to get an appointment somewhere else by now - sigh
Hi so sorry to hear about your mom. usually if it's an accident not cosmetic by choice, whatever insurance she has should cover it . your dentist insurance personnel can ck with yr ins.
I smashed all my front teeth out after blacking out several times with transient complete heart block for which I've now got a heart- pacer & got them fixed for free by the dentists at the hospital. But this treatment might depend on where you live?. It's a bit of a postcode lottery. I'm in Taunton, Somerset.
Thank you so much. Yes a horrible thing to happen. She is looking on the bright side though.
Yes called the dentist today and they called her straight in. They took the roots out and said the way forward is a denture plate. She does have to pay but we can sort that out. It won’t be anywhere near the cost of implants.
That’s kind thank you. She rung and they said to come straight in. They took the roots out and said when her face isn’t so swollen from the fall they will measure her up for a plate. She is okay. Saying it could have been worse. She will have to pay for the treatment but won’t be as expensive as implants x
That is good news that they were able to identify any remainder of roots and remove them, still that area in the front under the philtrum is so nerve sensitive, it can't have been much fun. She's a real star.
Good news that something can be done that will suit her.
Thank you. Yes she was brave the dentist said to my mum shall I stop and my mum said no keep going let’s just get it done. She’s okay now but the next day she didn’t feel good. She felt overwhelmed with the fact her brother died a couple of weeks ago, the virus situation and the fall it all seemed a lot to deal with but I think she’s okay now and glad she hasn’t broken anything other than her teeth. Thank you for your kind words x
My dear Ma also has to have a broken root removed and it was very painful, in the front. I knew it would not be easy do I didn't say anything beforehand.
I can understand all the other stresses and your bereavement, it must all be very overwhelming... But she is lucky to have you. I can tell you love her very much and will do all you can to help her. I have the same relationship with my extraordinary mother and consider myself blessed beyond measure.
It all swings round. They did for us when we were young... And then it's our turn to return the love.
All my best wishes
Poppy xx
The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
My daughter's sketches
What I loved about my mum