NHS dentist costs

My Dentist does a check up with a scale and polish all for £22.
I also have pockets in my molars which I was told to take special care with. I never knew that teeth had pockets!
I use an electric toothbrush and interdental brushes.

I asked my dentist what size brush would be best for me and bought accordingly.

I still don’t understand why you were expected to pay extra for a clean

Thanks for the replies so far. I did query it with the receptionist who said this is how it works.
Actually this was my second visit to this dentist. The first inspection was more thorough, but she found a small filling to do which meant another appointment and moved me up to the next band. No pain whatever.
I also saw the hygienist, at £50. She was thorough but painful, and gave me a bit of a ticking off, as I am just not very good with interdental brushes, though I Clean my teeth three times on most days and have always had regular check ups. There are many people who do not clean their teeth that often, nor visit the dentist, so I rather resented this.
I am thinking of getting a new water plaque remover. . Are they any good? Not sure how they work.

An ordinary scale and polish can be included in Band 1 treatment, if clinically necessary. A deep clean is in band 2 and costs £62.00 but can also include anything from band 1. So my reading of the NHS guidance is that all the treatment including the check up should be included in band 2.

Sounds to me as though they are trying to overcharge you and no, it’s not the new norm. You can check this out on the NHS website.

I had a deep clean and paid band 2. If there is evidence of gum disease they normally do a deep clean. I’ve kept my gum disease at bay by using interdental brushes religiously on a daily basis, as well as using an electric toothbrush twice daily. Eating lots of veg plus scoured your teeth plus small amount of cheese neutralises the mouth after sweet things

Tbh, I would go back armed with the details and insist on a second opinion or at least an explanation about the health of your teeth. My dentist always gives my teeth a polish, every 6 months

You are lucky to have an NHS dentist. There are none at all in the county where I live.

Normally NHS prices are at least half of those by a private dentist. Could you enquire why the scale and polish was not included in band 1 treatment?

That's outrageous. I pay £80 for a check-up and scale and polish at an exclusive private dentist (I use him because I have a dental phobia).

At those prices, you might as well go private.