Charges for private dental treatment

Toothsmith

raymond wrote:

I hope all those patients forced to "go private" will get a refund on their national insurance contributions which will no longer be needed to pay for NHS dentistry.

Can't argue with that, but dentistry comes out of general taxation, not N.I.

Also, if every taxpayer got his/her NHS Dentistry bit back, it would probably only pay for a round of drinks once a year. That's part of the problem!

Toothsmith

Symbeaux1 wrote:

Toothsmith,
I would appreciate your advice, I do not neglect my teeth, but it sure looks as if I do!! I'm going to the dentist tomorrow because I've lost part of a back tooth filling. My question is, having had three extractions after unsucessful root canal work post-abcess several years ago (one gap in front bottom and other two visible) , I really need to be able to smile again, I have broached the subject several times with my dentist regarding the possibility of having some sort of bridge work and his attitude is that it will be considered at a later date, how do I pin him down in the prevailing climate of change to say if it is ever going to happen ?? Or should I just have the treatment necessary to secure a certificate of dental health and then sign up with denplan???

You are highly unlikely to get any bridgework on the NHS nowadays, and even less likely after April 1st. A simple removeable denture would be the most likely treatment, and that would cost you £189 after 1st.

You could become 'dentally fit' and sign onto Denplan, but Denplan is a maintenance contract, not an 'improvement' contract. You will not be able to get a bridge provided under Denplan where one didn't exist before.

To 'Improve' things, it will have to be a case of 'hand in pocket' I'm afraid, but take your time to find a decent dentist who you are happy to do the treatment before rushing in.

I'm sure you will find the result will be worth it.