NHS dentists demand deposit

I realise even I don't realise how crap the NHS has become

And yes I know large parts of the country have no NHS dentistry at all

But it has come to my attention that NHS dentists are now routinely demanding a credit card payment for the full price of the check-up before giving a check-up appointment over the phone

And demanding a £100 deposit before offering an appointment to look at someone with tooth ache, similarly to be paid by credit card over the phone

What is going on? Even top flight consultants see private patients on the more traditional basis of getting paid after the event

The NHS really is crap