Dentists...

qqg3

qqg3

qqg3

Soldato
Joined
11 Jan 2008
Posts
5,193
Location
Nowhere
What are your opinions on private vs NHS?

Haven't been in a couple of years, in a new area now and tempted to go private (think it'll be less hassle than NHS) because I've got a couple of niggles that need some attention.

Just how expensive will it be? Some local options offer things like Den plan (?)...
 
I've always been fine using the NHS but I've been lucky and had good dentists. It helps that it's free.
 
Private dentistry is expensive (As is the service of any skilled craftsman with large over heads)

But, IME, the costs are not unreasonable. They are entirely comparable with, say, Motor vehicle servicing and repair.

The issue is whether or not you are prepared to stump up for it or just go the NHS route.

Dentistry is also a "Craft Skill" so some people will be better than others simply because some people just are (IE this isn't about incompetence or anything like that)

See if you can get some personal recommendations (IE Just like you would if you were going to get your car serviced or your taps fixed!)

HTH
 
I'm now with a private dentist and on a dental plan. If you go down the private route you'll have a check up, get any outstanding work done and you should then be able to get yourself on a dental plan. They're usually fairly reasonable and you can pay monthly by DD. As above if you decide to go private get recommendations.
 
I have an NHS dentist appointment tomorrow. I love it because free drugs that I'm allowed to take. Think it's about £20 or so.
 
I went private and used Denplan for about £12 pcm. Two hygienist appointments a year and reduced costs for essential work.

I'm not keen on NHS dentists after I went to one complaining of pain in one side of my mouth only to be ignored and given a bad and needless filling on the other side of my jaw and ushered out as quickly as I'd arrived.
 
Dentists are one part of the NHS where I have never had a problem. I cannot fault my dentists. No crammed waiting rooms, very friendly service, they take as long as they need, no rushing and all my work has been done to a high standard.
 
I have no idea what private dentists are like but the NHS ones have been hit and miss - my current dentist is pretty good and I feel understands the needs of my teeth but previous one was far too aggressive in treating issues IMO (sledge hammer to crack a nut style) hence my current one has had to crown a tooth that otherwise probably would have lasted many more years (having seen the before x-rays, etc. he was not very impressed with the work done).
 
robfosters said:
Dentists are one part of the NHS where I have never had a problem. I cannot fault my dentists. No crammed waiting rooms, very friendly service, they take as long as they need, no rushing and all my work has been done to a high standard.
Click to expand...

I wonder how much of that is due to the nominal fee you have to pay...


I have an awesome NHS dentist. Appointments are always on time, no one in the waiting room and very skilled at his job. I chipped my tooth a few weeks back and I got an appointment the same day and he did an excellent job of repairing it. I'd gladly pay a similar amount of money to get the same level of service at my GP.
 
one of my fillings has fallen out somehow leaving a large hole in my tooth and i need to wait 3 weeks to see my nhs dentist... who will probably tell to come back in a week to have it filled :rolleyes:
 
robfosters said:
Dentists are one part of the NHS where I have never had a problem. I cannot fault my dentists. No crammed waiting rooms, very friendly service, they take as long as they need, no rushing and all my work has been done to a high standard.
Click to expand...

Same here. Mine's been great. Been going to him now for nearly seven years. I'd refused to go to a dentist for years because I had chipped a front tooth when I was 14/15 that had been fixed twice before which I kept breaking off. It was the first job he did on my teeth and it's still there. Always books me last so there's no waiting around. Appointment tomorrow is for 3:30 in the afternoon and I know when I roll up, I'll be the only one in the waiting room and won't have to wait more than a few minutes. It's great.

Edit: The dentists who fixed my broken front tooth before? Both private.
 
Last edited:
Personally I think private dental is worth every penny, however it could be because I have had a bad experience with NHS dentists (lots of poor fillings over infections etc...).

The private dentists I've had make you feel welcome and relaxed (they know I am **** scared of the dentist), so much so that I have fallen asleep whilst undergoing a root canal treatment. The only way to explain it is economy vs first class when traveling, yes you get from A to B but its all about the journey. Depends wether you want to fork out, a few private clinics have their prices online so just see if you're happy with prices. On a side note, if you walk in and don't get a good vibe, or go through their initial consultation and don't get a good vibe, walk away - you're a paying customer and someone somewhere else will give you better treatment etc....
 
I'm under the NHS, I looked at dental plans and found out that my actual dentist does private work on DenPlan. He's always been decent to me had him since I was a kid and travel to see him every 6 months. There has never been a void in expectations from him so I'm not sure what I'd gain really :)
 
Hyburnate said:
I'm under the NHS, I looked at dental plans and found out that my actual dentist does private work on DenPlan. He's always been decent to me had him since I was a kid and travel to see him every 6 months. There has never been a void in expectations from him so I'm not sure what I'd gain really :)
Click to expand...

My mum still uses the dentist we had when my brother and I were kids (20+ years ago). Drives to damn near the other side of Northern Ireland every 6 months for a check up. I get it though. If I move from here, I'll probably do the same with my current dentist until he retires.
 
Aye once you have found someone you are happy with and confident in, then stick with it. Doesn't matter if they are NHS or private, as long as you are confident in them and happy with their results.

OP I'd ask folks in the area for recommendations, once you've heard a name three or four times with people happy or delighted with them, go for it.
 
OhEsEcks said:
My mum still uses the dentist we had when my brother and I were kids (20+ years ago). Drives to damn near the other side of Northern Ireland every 6 months for a check up. I get it though. If I move from here, I'll probably do the same with my current dentist until he retires.
Click to expand...

Yep it's all about finding a decent one. I don't mind paying for the dentist to be fair and am going to have a deep clean booked in next time I go :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom