Private Dental

Mr.Boy

Sorry if wrong forum, oddly I couldn't see one related to medical stuff?

I have recently moved and need a new dentist, I have been having problems with my teeth and am considering private care. However I really don't understand it very well:

1. How does it differ? I know you typically get the same dentist doing NHS and private work so other than (presumably) finding it easier to make an appointment, what do you get for your dosh?
2. I'm a bit unsure how a dental plan works. Obviously you pay an agreed monthly fee but does that mean when you need treatment you pay nothing extra, or do you have to pay an excess like with car insurance claims?

Thanks!

Mrs_Arcanum

Firstly they will assess your dental health and recommend an annual plan based on your dental needs. Very healthy teeth/gums may only need a twice early check up with scale & polish. Other than this it may be you also need to see the hygienist as well. Then once you are on the plan you will get other treatment at a lower cost.

However it may be that if you need a lot of remedial work this will need to be done before they put you on a plan. Check & find out how local dentists work. They may only do NHS for children of patients.

brook2jack

There are good and bad private dentists same as nhs. See toothsmiths (another dentist on forum) signature for tips on choosing dentist.

A private dentist should mean much more time spent on you and a wider and better choice of treatment options, and an emphasis on education and prevention.

You can pay in several ways
1 pay as you go. Ask for a price list. You can have a separate cash plan to claim some or all of costs back.

2 registration plan. You pay an amount per month typically £10 to £12 which pays for check ups, xrays , two hygiene visits a year, emergency treatment, insurance and 20% discount off other treatment.

3 capitation plan. You pay a set amount typically £12 to £35 a month depending on how healthy your mouth is and how much work you have had done, and this pays for all dental work necessary except cosmetic / implants/braces and you pay lab fees for any crown/bridge/denture work. But you have to be dentally fit before joining scheme so will have to have fillings etc done first.

Not all dentists will offer all schemes and not all private practices do nhs work in any form.

I would think about what is important to you in terms of your dental health, your budget and then look for recommendations.

brook2jack

Forgot to say a nhs dentist can always offer private alternatives for specific treatments so you can choose eg White fillings/crowns , visits to hygienist.