hi,
the dentists not only have to buy the PPE, but they have to have someone come round and assess the fitting. They put some sort of vapour in the mask when the dentist is wearing it, and look to see if it leaks, they only get signed off for it if it doesn't.
Also, dentists are only allowed to charge their NHS patients according to the NHS guidelines. It works like this, the dentists get a lump sum payment for the NHS patients on their books. This is in advance. They then have a quota of work to fulfil, otherwise they get money clawed back. this year may be different, and no clawback will happen, so there is no incentive for some dentists to see the NHS people, especially given that they cant recoup PPE and other extra expenses, and they've already been paid. Not saying all dentists are like this.
My OHs friend is a single handed dentist, and has had lots of people ringing him to ask for appointments, which he cannot fit in as well as his own patients (mix of NHS and private). These patients are coming from a big "corporate" who are just telling their patients to ring 111. Ironically, NHS rang friend to berate him for turning patients away, and he politely pointed out that he was not, but he had to prioritise his own patients. NHS are just going for the little guy, as they are scared to pull up the big corporates in case they drop all the NHS patients.
Same old story eh?
Jeepers xx