Do You Really Need To Pay £xxx's for Dental Work?

Pollycat

Undervalued wrote: »

I wasn't referring specifically to this thread, it is just an impression I have built up over a period of time.

OK, that's fine.
I haven't misunderstood any of the comments on this thread then..
But for the record, I was referring specifically to this thread - way back up thread - see post #10.

Hopefully, the OP will take the - imho - totally unbiased advice (on this thread) about his question and book an appointment pdq.
I hope he's not been 'struck off' as it sounds like it's a while since he last went.

brook2jack

Another link about morale in NHS dentistry and people's future intentions https://www.dentistry.co.uk/2018/02/22/seventy-per-cent-dentists-plan-leave-nhs-within-five-years/

At least one of the dentists who posts here is almost entirely NHS , Welshdent, and I believe that a couple of others are as well.

As 86% of dentists (and rising) do not own their own practices they cannot decide to go private , they have to find a practice that already is private , or is in the process of going private.

Until recently the large corporates were buying NHS practices and were major employers of young graduates. However there is an increasing trend for some of the corporates to sell off practices as they have found them increasingly uneconomical to run and dentists are reluctant to work for them for a variety of reasons. A quick google will reveal the extent of the problem eg https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/health/mydentist-east-harling-closure-2018-1-5742110

NHS dentistry is running on fumes with the amount spent on each patient treated each year, including patient contribution , dropping https://bda.org/news-centre/press-releases/nhs-dentistry-across-uk-running-on-fumes

Some difficult decisions need to be made about how we prioritise a tiny dental budget . It clearly cannot provide all dental treatment for everyone. Many dentists would welcome a core service that , at least, would provide simple measures to secure oral health for all and particularly the most vulnerable in society.

Most postings will provide information about both nhs and private dentistry but people should be aware of the immense pressures in NHS dentistry and place the blame for its limitations not on their dentists but on a system which prioritises targets and cutting costs beyond anything else.

fred246

The Tories hate the NHS. They want to get rid of it but they know the public support the idea of free healthcare for everyone. The way the NHS is set up is that their only income is from the government. So the government collect taxes and give it to the NHS. So as the population increases and ages and new advances are made the NHS needs more money. Lots more money. The Tories announce grand plans for the NHS where they increase expenditure SLIGHTLY. No-one can argue against increased expenditure. They know the reality is that it's not working due to under funding but that is their plan. They want it NOT TO WORK for the PUBLIC and for the STAFF to get fed up of working in those conditions. The Tories are all very rich and pay for private treatment. You can see where we are heading. NHS for emergencies, cancer and very basic healthcare. If you want planned surgery your operation will be postponed so many times you will want to go private. Tories given up on waiting list targets.
So in dental terms the NHS dentist will be fed up. Too many patients. Not enough income. Too much stress.
The patients will be fed up. Very quick appointments. Treatments not available on the NHS.
I lost one tooth. Spoke to a few dentists. All agreed an implant was the only sensible treatment. Not available on the NHS. I now have a private dentist even though I wanted to support the NHS.

Undervalued

fred246 wrote: »

The Tories hate the NHS. They want to get rid of it but they know the public support the idea of free healthcare for everyone. The way the NHS is set up is that their only income is from the government. So the government collect taxes and give it to the NHS. So as the population increases and ages and new advances are made the NHS needs more money. Lots more money. The Tories announce grand plans for the NHS where they increase expenditure SLIGHTLY. No-one can argue against increased expenditure. They know the reality is that it's not working due to under funding but that is their plan. They want it NOT TO WORK for the PUBLIC and for the STAFF to get fed up of working in those conditions. The Tories are all very rich and pay for private treatment. You can see where we are heading. NHS for emergencies, cancer and very basic healthcare. If you want planned surgery your operation will be postponed so many times you will want to go private. Tories given up on waiting list targets.
So in dental terms the NHS dentist will be fed up. Too many patients. Not enough income. Too much stress.
The patients will be fed up. Very quick appointments. Treatments not available on the NHS.
I lost one tooth. Spoke to a few dentists. All agreed an implant was the only sensible treatment. Not available on the NHS. I now have a private dentist even though I wanted to support the NHS.

Do you feel better for your political rant!

Personally, I think the problems go far deeper and there is actually far less political division on this issue than you believe.

Dentistry is maybe a good example of the enormous problems the NHS faces. Medical treatments constantly evolve and become more costly, people live longer, stay in education longer and until recently were retiring ever earlier. So less and less people are shouldering the cost for more and more.

So, either a majority have actually got to be willing to pay significantly more in tax or, like it does with dentistry, the NHS has to be honest and limits the services it provides.

If I understand the dentists on here correctly, the NHS provides the minimum necessary to ensure basic dental health. Even then the better off end users pay a bit towards the costs of their treatment. As you say with your implant example, far more elaborate dental treatments are available. Your implant will maybe cost you £1500? if the NHS did it (which they generally won't) it would perhaps cost them £1000 to provide? You would pay, (if you are able) £250 towards that although that figure would also cover any other treatment done at the same time.

So, does the tax payer pay at least £750 for your one tooth or does it spend that amount on some basic treatment for quite a lot of people?

How many of the people who clamour for a "fully funded" (whatever that means) NHS are willing and able to pay their fair share of the cost?

DigForVictory

I go to an NHS dentist, and have been seeing the same team for years. I expect the basic examination & maintenance, (clean & polish) and advice on better care and answers to questions.

Were I to go to a private dentist I might expect a list of things to do, mostly as if they only offered the same service as the NHS why would I go private? Happily, I don't worry about teeth whitening etc & my NHS dentist & I are working on the Teeth Not Falling Out bit, so I'm minded to trust my NHS dentist & would suggest that you make, attend & pay for the six-monthly appointments for the peace of mind.

fred246

I turned on the TV for the latest on brexit and got Theresa May's plan for the NHS. It can only mean they are worried there is going to be an election soon.

fred246

DigForVictory wrote: »

Were I to go to a private dentist I might expect a list of things to do, mostly as if they only offered the same service as the NHS why would I go private?

I think you will find lots of people 'go private' when there is no logic whatsoever. Some people seem to think you get different doctors and dentists when you go private. Actually you do - you get the greedy ones.

DonnySaver

I stopped trusting my NHS dentist because:-

a) was getting charged for less than 1 minute in the chair
b) in that short time also getting told I needed a tooth filling that had never had a 'watch' placed on it before
c) other family members also experienced (a) and (b)

So, I went for an independent verdict at a private dentist. The tooth mentioned did NOT need filling at all.

Undervalued

fred246 wrote: »

I think you will find lots of people 'go private' when there is no logic whatsoever. Some people seem to think you get different doctors and dentists when you go private. Actually you do - you get the greedy ones.

Well in some cases you do get different one. Plenty of dentists only work privately as, to a lesser extent, do some doctors.

Some people are happy to pay for a more personal service or to guarentee seeing the "top man" personally and not just one of his team. Some are willing to pay for more comfortable and private surroundings.

Just like some people being happy to stay in, say, a Travel lodge where as other will pay a lot extra for Claridge's!

fred246

fred246 wrote: »

I turned on the TV for the latest on brexit and got Theresa May's plan for the NHS. It can only mean they are worried there is going to be an election soon.

There we go:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-46824125