NHS or private dentist ?

Miroslav

likabu wrote:

The Dental surgery I use changed from NHS to Private in November. When it was a NHS practice my "regular" check ups were once a year. You could get an appointment in an emergency if need be.

On Tuesday I had my first appointment with them since their status changed and I am amazed. Everything has changed. No longer are they quick in and out. Everything is much more relaxed which I suspect is the reason my 2 year old didn't scream and shout at the dentist, even letting him have a good look in his mouth.

I was asked when I would like to have a scale and polish, they could do it there and then. Or if I preferred to come back in when I had childcare, to make an appointment with the hygienist to suit. I went today for that, I only remember having this done once in the last 10 years.

I will now be having 2 check ups a year, 2 visits to the hygienist, x-rays and my 2 year old and 4 year olds teeth checked on also for £9.80 a month with Practiceplan including Worldwide Trauma and Emergency Call out insurance.

I am so happy with my treatment.

Lisa

Sounds great. I wonder if the friendliness of the receptionists change from NHS to Private practices. The staff at my NHS surgery are so miserable.......

Miroslav

Kinnairdy wrote:

Until you can see yor dentist and get the abscess drained you could drink diluted lemon juice daily, although lemon juice is acid when it enters the mouth it becomes alkaline and acts as an anti inflammatory which may take some of the sting out of the abscess in the meantime.
I have been told lemon Fanta works too although I would not rcommend it due to the sugar content but having said that if it works temporarily.
Toothsmith please don't Flame me for this post, I am only offering a suggestion that I know has worked for family and friends and given relief in the short term and given the state of the NHS Dentistry surely anything that helps is a bonus?.

He refused to drain it, saying the anti-biotics will sort the issue out.

I have now finished the anti-biotics, and although it has gone down and the pain is not as bad, a small lump is still there, and will be, whether it goes them comes back or stays, until my dental surgery can see me again in 2 weeks (Unless I need an emergency!)

Not too keen on lemon mind, especially fizzy lemon :eek:

likabu_2

Miroslav wrote:

Sounds great. I wonder if the friendliness of the receptionists change from NHS to Private practices. The staff at my NHS surgery are so miserable.......

Definately, the receptionists weren't miserable at my surgery whilst NHS run, just busy busy busy. This can give out a signal of unfriendliness although in actual fact they probably didn't have time to smile! Phones were always going, constant stream of patients in and out, trying to rearrange appointments where there just wasn't enough time in the day to see everyone.

Lovely experience now, am off there after the school run today for my 4 year olds check up.

Lisa

debtfreeandlovingit_2

Hello,

I was just wondered if anyone could tell me if there is much/any difference between NHS and private dentistry in terms of quality and service (not in terms of money because I have taken out the most comprehensive HSA dental cover to cover most expenses).

I haven't been to the dentist for 3 years since my old dentist retired and, as well as a checkup and hygenist treatment, I think I will need treatment as my back teeth are hurting. If I am on this plan would people recommend that I register with an NHS dentist (I have found one a few miles away accepting NHS patients) or a private one (lots of them where I live)?

Also does anyone have experience of the Oasis chain, because that's the private dentist I am considering.

Thanks in advance.

Toothsmith

I've written before about choosing a dentist, but it bears repeating.

Dentistry is a very intimate personal service. You really need to choose an individual rather than an organisation, or even a payment system.

Choose Dr A.N. Dentist rather than an Oasis dentist, or an NHS dentist, or a Denplan dentist or a private dentist.

Get a recomendation for an individual.

There are good NHS dentists - although it must be said, they are severely constrained by their system - and there are bad ones. There are good and bad private dentists. There are good dentists working for Oasis, and there are bad ones.

Oasis do have flashy marketing, but flashy marketing doesn't hold the drill and make holes in your teeth. It's an individual dentist that does that! Oasis has shareholders. Shareholders want profit which has to come from somewhere. The corporates like Oasis are very much more business minded than individual practice owning dentists - which for some things can be good, but for personal continuation of care, can be bad.

The way for a dentist to get on in a company like Oasis is to be promoted up the management structure - which can mean that you will find that you will often be seeing different dentists.

It's also a place where younger dentists go to get a bit of experience, and earn a bit of money in order to but their own practices - hich again can mean a high staff turnover. Plus, Oasis and another corporate like IDH also employ a lot of foreign dentists. Nothing against foreign dentistry - but communication can be a problem.

My advice - as always- is to go to a dentist that has been recommended to you. Visit the practice before you committ to an appointment, in order to get a feel for the place, and the staff attitudes, and look on it as a long-term relationship. You will get much better dentistry in the long term if you are with the same dentist and he 'get's to know' your mouth.

I do think it's more likely you will find what you are looking for in the private sector though.

looby-loo_2

I go to a private dentist. He was NHS but changed about 10 years ago and I was happy to stay with him - just 2 miles away in the village.

I seem to have reached the age where bits keep breaking off my teeth! The best thing about being private is that I can ring up at 9.00 to say another bit fell of at breakfast time and I can go and get it mended after morning surgery at about 10.30. That's what I call good service!

shoperholicnot

def go with a private dentist ( I am not sure about oasis) I would really stay away from a large chain and go for a good private one where you get the best one to one, the best thing to do is go on recomendations. I have just got HSA insurance got myself a private dentist and was amazed with just being able to get an appointment when I
want one. at my old NHS dentist I used to have to wait weeks sometimes!

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samuela66

Hi,

I dont get it, I have just moved and need to register with a dentist, I called one up and she said we are not taking NHS patients, I said well I pay does that make a difference and the reply I got was " you probably paid NHS" very unhelpful I thought, can anyone help me with what it means,

thanks
Sam

elsien

Even if you have to pay NHS charges, these are in 3 fixed bands depending on whether it's a checkup, or treatment, so you only pay the specified amount, which is subsidised. If it's private, unless you're on a monthly payment plan of some sort, you pay the full whack, which can cost a small fortune.
Not sure what the NHS price bands are, but I just paid about £45 for a check up and fillings, which is a lot less than I would have had to pay with a private dentist.

A lot of NHS dentists are now only taking children, or those entitled to free treatment. You need to phone up your local health authority, who should be able to give you a list of dentists who are accepting people on the NHS, although be aware that in many areas, all the NHS lists are full.

Toothsmith

If that was the full conversation, then I would try a different dentist.

It's up to them to explain what they meant, and if they're not very good at it, then I would suggest customer service is not their strong point and you should try somewhere else.

Were you an NHS patient at your last dentist (Paying the NHS fees) or did you pay privately?

Why did you call this particular dentist? Was it recommended to you? Or just picked because it was the closest, or first in yellow pages?

I would get some recommendations from people around you as to which dentist to go to. If you do get recommendations for this one, then I would call them back and see if you can get them to explain if they are taking on any new patients at all, or just not NHS ones.

They should be able to give you an accurate guide as to the cost of your initial appointment, and an indication of costs of cleanings, fillings etc.

Another thing I would recommend when choosing a new dentist is to actually make the effort to visit the place to make your first appointment. It will give you a much better idea of the place, and you'll see if they justify their prices.