My teeth, private insurance and pregnancy

Jewel_2

HELP! My teeth are a mess. I'm 39 and they're chipped and broken and the back ones are going rotten (I'm only telling you this because you don't know me). I haven't been to the dentist for ages and it's turning into an absolute mountain.

I am sure the work will cost thousands. I would take private insurance, but wouldn't they require a check up first? I'm thinking of having a baby - would I get my teeth sorted for free or do I have to wait til after, and would I still be entitled to free work post-pregnancy?

I can't afford a completely new set of nashers. What should I do?

chivers1977

You get NHS dental care for the pregannacy and 12 months after the birth.

DaisyFlower

Seems a bit extreme to have a baby just to get free dental treatment :cool:

You do get 12 months NHS treatment after the birth but if you havent been to a dentist in ages, dependent on your area, you may struggles to find a NHS dentist.

Toothsmith

If you can't afford to get your teeth sorted - You can't afford a baby!!!!!

I could be driving a Ferrari now if it wasn't for my two!!!!!

Jewel_2

Thanks all for your advice.

Already have one child, hence the reason my teeth are a mess. She nicked all the calcium. She has lovely teeth.

What about getting private dental care, do you have to have a check up first?:eek:

I'm not having a baby to get my teeth done for nothing, but not getting them checked because I am a scardy-cat is preventing me from having one! Stupid woman syndrome I think. What about a psychotherapist?

Jewel_2

Toothsmith, are you a dentist?

Toothsmith

Jewel wrote: »

Toothsmith, are you a dentist?

I am indeed.

Jewel_2

Oh please give me some tips. What should I do? :A

Murdina

If you can find an NHS dentist or even a private one who still does the pregnancy exemption register yourself and of course your child asap. They will do a check up and discuss what you need doing and what it costs.
Many private dentists have payment plans which allow you to spread the cost so do not be afraid at least to register and have the check up - though some may require you to take out a plan to take you on.
I've had friends in the past who have had loads of dental work done under their exemption but I'm not sure that works so well now in view of shortage of NHS dentists. But do be brave and try and get it sorted. You may hopefully also be surprised that things are not as bad as you think they are.

Toothsmith

Jewel wrote: »

Oh please give me some tips. What should I do? :A

Right - step 1 find a dentist.

I've repeated how to do this in sooo many posts that I've now put it down in my signature!!

You will not know how much it will cost until you actually find someone you can go to and find out.

There are private dentists that operate at all ends of the price spectrum - don't just read the stupid 'costs' you sometimes read in the newspapers. Some are even wildly innacurate for top-dollar city centre cosmetic practices.

Do you really want NHS, even if it is free?

If you can find a decent NHS dentist - fair enough, but you will be getting the simplest treatment possible to make you pain free.

Extractions rather than root fillings, big fillings instead of crowns, plastic dentures instead of bridges, metal based dentures or implants.

If that's OK then go for it.

Step 1 however is to find a dentist and go for a check up.