Dentists NHS vs Private

[deanos]

I have had a letter today from the NHS and there are places for my family for a NHS dentist as they are opening a few clinics 16 miles away from me.

Im not sure how the new prices work >

* £15.50 - Covers a check up, diagnosis and preventative care such as scale and polish
* £42.40 - Covers all treatment in the previous band plus fillings, root canal treatment and extractions
* £189 - Includes treatment in first two bands and also covers more complex procedures such as crowns, dentures and bridges

So if i say have 3 fillings i have to pay £15.50 check up + £42.50 for each filling or just pay once :confused:

[Ettenna]

Seems to me that you would pay £42.50 as that covers check up, fillings, etc.

That doesn't sound too bad to me. I am with an NHS dentist and have just paid £15.50 for my check up and then will have to pay £35 for my scale & polish.

My DD1 had to have a filling recently. She could have had a silver filling for free but as it was her first one we opted for a white one at a cost of £40!!! And I thought that children were free!!

[deanos]

Why do you have to pay £35 that should be covered under the £15.50 charge as they are fixed by the government ??

My current dentist is sort of in-between private/nhs fees,i pay £20 a year registration fee, a check-up is £15 , fillings are from £25, scale and polish is £20, im not sure if i will be better off going to NHS

[Toothsmith]

So if i say have 3 fillings i have to pay £15.50 check up + £42.50 for each filling or just pay once :confused:

It will just be the £42.50 charge.

But also, if you just need one tiny filling, it will also be £42.50 - probably dearer than your 'private' dentist.

If you are happy with the dentist you have, I would stick with it.

The NHS detal system is on the verge of collapse, and when you try to get back with your old dentist, when you find for example, that you have to wait several months between check up and filling appointments, you may well find that he will be full.

At least he has had the honesty to come away from the NHS rather than saying he is still NHS, and charging 'extra' fees.

[Toothsmith]

Seems to me that you would pay £42.50 as that covers check up, fillings, etc.

That doesn't sound too bad to me. I am with an NHS dentist and have just paid £15.50 for my check up and then will have to pay £35 for my scale & polish.

My DD1 had to have a filling recently. She could have had a silver filling for free but as it was her first one we opted for a white one at a cost of £40!!! And I thought that children were free!!

White fillings on back teeth are 'cosmetic' and therefore not covered on the NHS.

Scale and polishes are not cosmetic, and should be included with the £15.50 charge.

This is a trick that many 'NHS' dentists are doing though, as sticking with the NHS contract as it is written would lead most dentists to bankruptcy.

The fact is though, that he is breaking the terms of a contract he has signed, and you do have legitamate grounds for a complaint.

[swizzle]

I have an NHS dentist and have been with the same practise for aprox 3 years- moved as old 1 went private.

But in that time I have had 3 dentists and I do not like the new one! My children are not keen either.

Can I ask to see another NHS dentist in the same practise?

[deanos]

Thanks for the advice folks, i think i will stay with my current dentist as it is local

[fairytooth]

Thanks for the advice folks, i think i will stay with my current dentist as it is local


I would second that idea. Stay where you are if you're happy with the service.

[devonpaul]

a bad dentist who changes from nhs to private is still a bad dentist....or a good one will still be a good one! I know its obvious but worth remembering in depends on the individual

[Toothsmith]

a bad dentist who changes from nhs to private is still a bad dentist....or a good one will still be a good one! I know its obvious but worth remembering in depends on the individual


Good point!

In some circumstances, a 'bad' dentist could be a bad dentist because he is so stressed out at the number of patients he is having to see.

In this case, a 'bad' dentist could improve by going private.

If a dentist goes private and keeps on working the same way, just charging more money for it, then I would agree, he may well just be jumping on the bandwagon for a free ride.

You should always feel you are getting value for money.

You can feel cheated by a £15 NHS check up, and fine with a £50 private one. If you're feeling cheated by the £50 private one though, it's time to look around.

[stevo25]

do any of u live in a city with a dental school? i do and am lucky enough to be registered there had some root canal work (not too painfull) and will be getting it capped or crowned not sure of terminology with gold (if i get my way lasts longer ;) )and all for nothing!

[Toothsmith]

If it's anything like when I was training, you have to write off a whole morning or afternoon for each visit though!