Just been to Dentist, little annoyed.

xzibit

Well I pay as I go privately at the moment. I've never had any fillings, never had anything done to my teeth, apart from a removable brace when I was about 15. I'm 23 at the moment, so there's plenty of time for fillings etc though lol.

I looked on the DenPlan website, and it said average price a month is £20. I take it if I get put in the 'A' category, it'll be less than that. I don't mind paying £20 or less.

At the end of the day, I suppose paying £90 for a filling I know I need, and at a dentist I have been with for quite a while (never had any work done so can't say I trust them yet lol), is better than paying £27 and not needing it.
Please tell me I'm right, I'm just seeing figures at the moment.

At least I can say I gave the NHS a chance!

Toothsmith

You're right!

The only thing that gives me a little concern with your current dentist is the fact you've not had any X-rays for 'years'.

Even with people with no fillings, it's worth a peep in between the teeth every 3-4 years or so.

Next time you're in, ask your dentist when you last had any. Sometimes, time can just pass by really quickly, and the dentist hasn't realised when he last did any for you.

sabbykins

sarahlouise210 wrote:

I have the most wonderful NHS dentist - I once told the receptionist how lovely he was ...and she told me "I know ......thats why I married him!":o
Every examination and procedure is explained, he is just the best dentist you could ask for - I worry about the day he retires (and I anticipate this will be in about 15 years!!!!) If he went private I would gladly pay the higher prices ...

I was the same as you, i had a FANTASTIC NHS dentist for many many years, but he retired last year We were all gutted! I realised just how wonderful he had been when i had the misfortune of having to find another who was absolute rubbish. I'm private now and happy

xzibit

Speaking to my mum (lol) I was sent to Dorchester Hospital for some x-rays when I was about 17-18. I had forgot about that, so maybe I have had others 4-5 years ago that I have also forgot about. I'm 99.9% sure that I haven't had any in the last 3 years though.

Well, thanks for your advice, I'm gonna make bring my appointment further forward, and see what they think, and will enquire about x-rays, if I have money to spare!

I suppose I have got out before anything bad happened. I mean, surely it was a really bad sign that the NHS dentist I saw only looked at my teeth for about 2-3 minutes on my first time there.

xzibit

UPDATE

I had my appointment at my usual dentist last night. I went in for a check-up and an assesment for the Dental Plan.

She said that my teeth are fine, no need for a filling!! And that they were in excellent condition.
She took some x-rays and gave me a thorough check and all seems well. Said I would be in category A for the dental plan.

It works out at £13 a month (£156 a year), so now I need to decide whether it's best to do that, or continue paying as I go. Check-up is £30, twice a year, so thats only £60, but I suppose if I needed a filling on top of that it would be £150ish with the two check-ups.

Hmmm.

Toothsmith

What about the clean & polish? You'll need one or two of them every year as well.

xzibit

Toothsmith wrote:

What about the clean & polish? You'll need one or two of them every year as well.

Oh yeah, good point, I get 2 of them a year included, but unsure how much they cost. Say £30?

So, check-ups x2 £60
clean and polish x2 £60

thats £120, so saving £36, but if I need work doing it'll be extra.

Um, what do people think? I can't decide

Toothsmith

There is the accident cover as well with the plan, so should you ever damage your teeth in an accident, the repairs would be covered (This, on average is needed by 2 patients a year in my practice (Not the same 2!!!))

And dental cover if you have an emergency whilst away from home.

2 quite useful covers to have.

xzibit

Indeed. I think I will go with it. Many thanks.

Karrie

I got a huge shock when my dentist went private. He told me I needed a couple of fillings. I can't afford their monthly payments so I have moved to a NHS dentist. Went for a check up - no problems - see you in 6 months.

I had to go back recently with an absess on my back tooth. Gave me antibiotics and x ray. Told me to go back in a week to discuss removing the tooth or re-filling it. Went back - "the absess has gone......... no need to do anything. Give us a call if it comes back." What???

Is just appears to me that they don't give a damn. This is not the first NHS dentist I have been to that appears that they can't be @rsed to take care of peoples teeth. I just wish I could afford private and get the care that I deserve.