Need info about private dentists - costs etc

Toothsmith

Savvy_Sue wrote:

Oh, so the Scandinavians make up for the English one who developed Parkinsons or something similar and started trembling all the time and never wanted to do anything as a result, leaving me with a rather neglected mouth when he finally left?

Parkinsons or alcoholism??

But don't tell me it's not better with a norse viking towering over you? Or is it a lovely blonde nymphette?? (Does she want a job in Yorkshire ?)

Sofa_Sogood

november wrote:

The whole thing took on an urgency this morning when I came downstairs and my broken tooth shouted at me - hurt so much it made me feel sick. Two paracetols later and I can see again (I rarely take painkillers - can't remember the last time I took 2). I'd forgotton how much teeth can hurt Trouble is when they hurt that much I don't want to go because I know if they touch it I will go through the roof I hope they still don't poke everything with a metal spike, I used to hate that.

I think I may need to take some time off Monday to find a dentist but still can't decide which one of the 2 to check out first (the private only or NHS and private).

Hi november (and hi to Toothsmith and all too )

I broke a tooth a few months ago, and thought I was money saving because I managed to pull the tooth out myself (painlessly at the time), but a few weeks ago an abcess developed in it's place - the root was still in.

After an extremely painful visit to what I think was an NHS dentist, but who charged about £30 to cause more damage than the abcess did, I wished I'd waited an extra day. I'm still in two minds whether to complain about him to be honest. The treatment was not only painful, it was inhumane in my honest opinion.

Luckily I saw a private dentist a couple of days later, (who also agreed with my thoughts that the emergency dentist had caused more injury than any good) and he was worth his weight in gold.

He couldn't do much at the time, apart from lessen the pain with more antibiotics, an x-ray to see what was what, and some much needed comforting words. The cost was just under £50, but worth it just for the confidence he gave me.

When the abcess cleared up I went back and he extracted the the remains of the tooth, another one that the emergency dentist had bodged up for some reason, and touched up a small filling. The cost was £99.

I know this can be a lot of money for some people, but I can honestly say it was worth every penny. And I can say, hand on heart, that I didn't feel a thing, not even that 'pulling' feeling you sometimes get, and as I've had some sort of treatment on every tooth but two, this was a first. I didn't even feel as if I'd been to a dentist, despite the extractions.

I've got a fair way to go with the treatment, but I'm not bothered. I'm just over the moon that I've found a dentist that offers pain free and confidence building treatment.

I'm not sure if it's allowed to say about pain relief, but I'm sure the Board Guide will leave or delete as necessary , but I was told that I could alternate between paracetemol and Nurofen/Ibuprofen. This meant I had some sort of pain relief every 3 hours instead of every 6.

I hope you don't need it, especially as you don't like painkillers, and wish you all the best

I love my new dentist

P.S. Can't you ask anyone you know to recommend a good dentist?

november

Sofa_Sogood wrote:

I'm just over the moon that I've found a dentist that offers pain free and confidence building treatment.

Thats what I want too.

P.S. Can't you ask anyone you know to recommend a good dentist?

I've now exhausted my supply of local friends (which admitedly wasn't many). They all go to the same dentist which is a NHS/private/denplan one and they all go NHS. I said 'blimey he must be busy' and they all agree he is, very. I asked was he good and sympathetic to which the reply was 'good but my husband thinks he's an arrogant git' but apparently he has 3 surgeries around here, you can ask to see one of the others at his surgery if you don't like him and he is still taking NHS. God only knows how he's fitting them all in

Everyone seemed to think I was potty for thinking of going private as 'they can charge what they like'.

Friends from further away seem more sympathetic but then they probably know me better. This dentist just doesn't seem right for me - if he is arrogant he definately isn't - I don't deal well with a professional arrogant manner plus I don't deal well with rush, queues, having to wait and other things that come with a very very busy surgery.

When it comes to cost its what you chose to spend your money on isn't it? I don't holiday abroad, I don't spend a lot on going out. To tell you the truth one of the reasons I've left finding a dentist so long is I had so little money I used what I had on the kid's lives rather than my own. Now I have a little more if I chose to spend it on my mouth rather than a holiday its seems a valid choice to me. People pay for chiropractors etc (including me) and don't think anything of that

Unfortunately though asking friends didn't work so I seem to be back to the yellow page, walk round surgeries idea

Oh and I'm ruddy starving - I can't chew at all

Sofa - Thanks for your 'not feeling a thing' stuff. I'm ignoring the bad dentist stuff as I will be avoiding emergency dentists - been down that route before which is why my mouth is such a mess (and my head) Wish I could find someone to recommend a private one round here

Sofa_Sogood

november wrote:

Thats what I want too.

I've now exhausted my supply of local friends (which admitedly wasn't many). They all go to the same dentist which is a NHS/private/denplan one and they all go NHS. I said 'blimey he must be busy' and they all agree he is, very. I asked was he good and sympathetic to which the reply was 'good but my husband thinks he's an arrogant git' but apparently he has 3 surgeries around here, you can ask to see one of the others at his surgery if you don't like him and he is still taking NHS. God only knows how he's fitting them all in

Everyone seemed to think I was potty for thinking of going private as 'they can charge what they like'.

Friends from further away seem more sympathetic but then they probably know me better. This dentist just doesn't seem right for me - if he is arrogant he definately isn't - I don't deal well with a professional arrogant manner plus I don't deal well with rush, queues, having to wait and other things that come with a very very busy surgery.

When it comes to cost its what you chose to spend your money on isn't it? I don't holiday abroad, I don't spend a lot on going out. To tell you the truth one of the reasons I've left finding a dentist so long is I had so little money I used what I had on the kid's lives rather than my own. Now I have a little more if I chose to spend it on my mouth rather than a holiday its seems a valid choice to me. People pay for chiropractors etc (including me) and don't think anything of that

Unfortunately though asking friends didn't work so I seem to be back to the yellow page, walk round surgeries idea

Oh and I'm ruddy starving - I can't chew at all

Sofa - Thanks for your 'not feeling a thing' stuff. I'm ignoring the bad dentist stuff as I will be avoiding emergency dentists - been down that route before which is why my mouth is such a mess (and my head) Wish I could find someone to recommend a private one round here

I really feel for you november, I can't think of a worse pain than toothache

I'd better leave it to the professionals that post here I think. I know that in this day and age, there's no need to have any pain at all, but Toothsmith and the other dentists can tell you better. Maybe there's a hope that someone in your area (I'm in Yorkshire btw), reads this and can maybe suggest a dentist, without breaking the rules of the board obviously.

I've a feeling my dentist's in a practice that's fairly busy too, but not too busy to spend the time reassuring me that I'd had some dodgy work done, and suggest all the alternatives. But it's not only the best I've ever had, but the first I've ever known people be on first name terms with the dentist. But people might say that's because of the cost?

Good luck anyway, and hope the pain goes away, and soon. Painkillers are there for a reason btw

P.S. I don't think you're potty for going private either, I'd forego a holiday to be painfree, but as for charging what they like? I'd better leave that to the professionals too. I think they must have a cost for everything that can be asked for in advance?

Best wishes and apologies for not being more help.

P.P.S. I travelled out of my area, and it was well worth the extra cost, but I have problems travelling anywhere. It was still worth it

november

Sofa_Sogood wrote:

I really feel for you november, I can't think of a worse pain than toothache
I'd better leave it to the professionals that post here I think.

Thanks Sympathy and empathy is much appreciated.

I know that in this day and age, there's no need to have any pain at all, but Toothsmith and the other dentists can tell you better.

Actually my previous good ages ago NHS dentist went by that creed as well. He gave me nice gum numbing stuff and hid the needles so I couldn't see them and I never felt them at all. Probably why he ended up going private!

P.S. I don't think you're potty for going private either, I'd forego a holiday to be painfree, but as for charging what they like? I'd better leave that to the professionals too. I think they must have a cost for everything that can be asked for in advance?

According to the most helpful Toothsmith charges are variable but according to dentists costs and you can ask what they are. He did give me a very broad guideline which was the point of my thread originally as I really hadn't a clue. I'd pay £99 as you did for my tooth to be sorted out if it could be done pain free and with comforting words - after all it cost me about the same to get my back sorted Years ago I was offered NHS physio for that but it was somewhere I couldn't get (I couldn't drive then) at a time I couldn't make (no buses) and when I got a lift there and tried it once it made the pain worse. Paying meant no pain, cured back, less time of work, convenient appointment, a kindly touch - a bargain! And even if you look at time/work related stuff a saving.

Best wishes and apologies for not being more help.

You have been a help At least you understand and don't think I'm potty thinking of going private

eta and unfortunately I'm in the South West

Sofa_Sogood

november wrote:

Thanks Sympathy and empathy is much appreciated.

You have been a help At least you understand and don't think I'm potty thinking of going private

Not at all - and sorry for snipping your post .... (I can't do quotes within quotes), but at least it stops it dropping to page 10

I'd wait for Ms Toothsmith, to reply or one of her colleagues

But just as some people might advise against physio's that aren't NHS, I'm quickly leaning towards private for dentistry. Unless it's a straightforward extraction with anaesthetic

And if toothache keeps you awake tonight, I'd advise reading this site and the posts made by Toothsmith et al. It might not take the pain away but it whiles away an hour or so, apart from being informative

Hope it all gets better soon

november

Just a quick update. I did lots of searches and have ended up booking an appointment with one a village nearby. In the main because they had a smallish ad (so not wasting too much money on ads but did say they were good with nervous patients but also because when I looked at others I kept coming back to this one and listening to my hunches usually works when I am unable to think straight.

I rang them up and the lady on the phone was very nice indeed. I'm going in for a first appointment at 3.25 and am now a complete gibbering brainless wreck. I did remember to ask last minute 'how much' for an initial appointment and she said it was £65 and explained why (the length of the appointment) and asked if that was OK (given as it was today and I'd only just phoned I assume).

Anyway if the dentist is as nice as reception then it looks like I may have a dentist. Particularly if they have a box of tissues in the surgery

Nothing like being starving and woken up twice in the night by a tooth to make you take action

Many thanks to all who replied. Particularly Toothsmith's price range info. It may have been a wide range but knowing that their fee is within that range helps me in trusting them.

Savvy_Sue

Sofa_Sogood wrote:

I'd wait for Ms Toothsmith, to reply or one of her colleagues

I don't know about the other dentists, but Toothsmith is definitely not a Ms!

Toothsmith

Savvy_Sue wrote:

I don't know about the other dentists, but Toothsmith is definitely not a Ms!

Thank you! I was wondering what I'd put in my posts to lead anyone to that conclusion!

november

Toothsmith wrote:

Thank you! I was wondering what I'd put in my posts to lead anyone to that conclusion!

I thought you were a bloke and was hoping I hadn't got it wrong



Well I'm back. The dentist was very nice.

I have an absess

I am on antibiotics and then have to go back.

She asked if I wanted the tooth saving and I do because I already have a missing one next to it (or not next to it as the case may be).

However the complete bill ends up as £600 :eek: Thats £65 for exam etc today (only they couldn't xray as I can't put my jaw together so are doing that later). £50 for occlusal filling, £85 for DO filling, £120 for DOL/P filling and £280 for root filling.

I forgot to ask what all this meant I understand the root bit but really shoudl have asked about the occlusal, DO/DOL/P etc

Anyway I feel quite proud of myself as I stayed calm and even managed to wait the 5 minutes in the waiting room before hand (although admitedly no-one has done anything yet other than look in my mouth with a mirror and be nice to me )

eta

Doh I am such a ding bat. I've just looked again and there is different numbers there under planned such as UL7 etc. So its £65 for today including future xrays, £50 for a filling on UL7 which I think is the tooth above the broken one (I knew it needed one ), £85 for a filling on UL5 which must be another top one and the £120 and £280 is for rescuing LL7 the broken one.

Suppose its not bad if you spread it back over the 10 years I haven't gone to the dentist previously

Plus £50 for a private filling doesn't seem bad compared to NHS costs anyway as aren't they about £30?