Dental Treatment - Private vs NHS

Antnshell

Hi, I was looking from some advice...I hadnt been to the dentist for sometime and decided due to staining and signs my gums maybe receding bit the bullet and went for a check up.

The dentist advised me I have early signs of Periodental disease and require treatment and possibly further treatment on a 3 month basis until my gums are back in good health.

The dentist offered me 2 options -

1 x Deep clean on the NHS level 2 £50

or

2 x Private Dee Clean sessions including an anesthetic at £80 each. Followed by Teeth whitening at £65 (i know this bit is cometic only)

Things are tight finanicially however I dont want to risk losing my teeth etc will paying for the private treatment make any difference or should i just go for the NHS clean?

Any advice would be appreciated, Thanks

sinizterguy

NHS clean will be appropriate for your gum disease. The stains may or may be removed, depending on nature and location.

If you're concerned about the staining, go private.

Or, have your deep clean on the NHS and then if you feel you would still benefit, see the hygienist privately afterwards to remove any further staining. After that, consider whether you want the whitening or not.

Antnshell

Thanks sinizterguy, not too concerned with regards to the staining.

As for the treatment so is there no benefit in choosing the private option?

newbie_bonnie_blue

Is the same dentist offering both options?

Dentistry is a skilled profession. The difference between NHS and private normally boils down to convenience, comfort, and/or speciality. So having a local anaesthetic means you'll be more comfortable during the procedure, however I can't imagine a dentist giving your teeth a more thorough clean just because you've paid for a private service.

A bad dentist will give you a bad service whether you go NHS or private. A good dentist won't compromise his service if you choose the NHS option.

Antnshell

Thank you for replying yes it's the same dentist she said maybe painful depends on my pain threshold and it's only private option that offers the anaesthetic.

GwylimT

Surely if you are having an anaesthetic you will only have half of your mouth cleaned at each appointment, therefore I doubt hygiene wise your results will vary that much.

londondent

I find that I can provide most periodontal or "gum" treatment without the use of anaesthetic and that this is not particularly painful for the majority of patients ( as long as the gums are not badly inflamed in the first place), however i will provide anaesthesia on request whether it is NHS or Private.

The likely difference between NHS and private options is the time spent on the treatment and educating you about oral hygiene measures.Privately, you are paying for the dentist's time.

however the fact that your dentist only offers anaesthesia on a Private basis is dubious -> imagine if they said that about having your tooth out!

Whichever option you choose, it is important for you to understand that it is YOUR oral hygiene regime at home that will determine how sucessful the treatment will be! Brush 2 x daily, and floss daily or use interdental brushes - ask your dentist or hygienist for further details.

On a side note, I would not recommend tooth whitening for anyone with active gum disease. £65 is a very low price....I'm not sure how the dentist can afford to provide this...are you sure this is not a price for stain removal or air polishing?

Antnshell

Thanks London dent, the whitening would have been a process called flash pearl apparently it is a form of powder treatment.

I think from what you have said I may go for the NHS treatment if there is minimal difference....money is not the issue if it needs to be done i will pay whats required however if it is not too painful and same results can be acheived in the one session then to pay an extra £110 seems crazy.

My dentist didnt say she wouldnt give me it on the NHS appointment however she only mentioned having it on the private one...if i do need one on my NHS appointment what additional charge would i expect?

brook2jack

Phone up now before your next appointment, clarify you want nhs treatment and clarify the charge. You should have been given a written quote clarifying what is nhs and what is private treatment and how much for each.

londondent

Thanks London dent, the whitening would have been a process called flash pearl apparently it is a form of powder treatment.

I think from what you have said I may go for the NHS treatment if there is minimal difference....money is not the issue if it needs to be done i will pay whats required however if it is not too painful and same results can be acheived in the one session then to pay an extra £110 seems crazy.

My dentist didnt say she wouldnt give me it on the NHS appointment however she only mentioned having it on the private one...if i do need one on my NHS appointment what additional charge would i expect?

The maximum charge for a band 2 treatment for periodontal cleaning is £49 in england. The dentist cannot insist on you seeing a hygienist or themselves privately. They can offer you private treatment as an alternative which you may accept, if it is cosmetic, or if you would prefer to see the hygienist and/or allow more time for the treatment.

with regards to flash pearl whitening - I have never heard of it. If you mentioned the powder, I suspect its probably an air polishing system, and just to remove stains...so not clinically necessary and NOT available under the NHS.