Dentists...

Student department attached to a dental hospital - free!

I had an extraction under local anesthetic and stitched up, 2 x white composite fillings, x-rays, and a scale & polish, all for free not even the NHS dentist fee.

Never had any problems during the whole process. People think you are mad for letting student dentists do it, but their work is checked throughout by people who are probably more qualified than your average dentist.

I didn't have it all done on the same day, it was a 6 week process from start to finish and there was a waiting list to start but it was only a couple of weeks.
 
One thing to bear in mind when considering private/NHS is that if you are charged as NHS, the dentist is subject to NHS rules and that can affect what treatment is available, and materials are used.

As private dentists can effectively charge what they wish, subject of course to what patients will pay, they are also much more likely to invest in new equipment, etc. At least in part, that's why they can be quite expensive. Also, of course, it's supply and demand, and what any dentist has in very limited supply is time, so a really good dentist builds a really good reputation, and if he has more demand for his time than time available, can afford to charge accordingly.

For instance, my dentist was among the first in the UK to switch to digital xray, all those years ago. More recently, he's invested in a 'wand', I think he called it. He did try to explain it to me, but I glazed over a bit. From what I can make out, it's a highly effective (for most patients) anaesthetic delively system using some sensing technology to deliver very small amounts to exactly the right place, so even fairly radical treatments like root canal or extractions can be done with very localised anaesthesia rather than using a convention hypo and a blocker that numbs half of your face. I'm sure jpod could explain it better.

My dentist, who is a close relative, used to offer both private and NHS options, but got so fed up with being constrained by the NHS contract and admin, that he went fully private years ago, and referred patients that wanted/needed to stay NHS to other NHS dentists. About 70% stayed with him.

Private can get very expensive, though, and depending on what you need, can run into thousands. The older you get, the more likely that is.

Anyway, my point is that usually, you get what you pay for. Of course, there are really good NHS dentists and some mediocre private ones, but as a general principle, being able to afford state of the art equipment, and the time to do things as needed and not in the time allotted by an NHS contract, speaks for itself, in my opinion.
 
atpbx said:
Well, for £16 a month, I don't care.

I get better quality treatment than from the other NHS dentists in town, that's not an opinion, it's a fact, so I am happy to pay it.

I also don't get any other charges for any other work carried out, so If I need something doing, it's just done, and I walk away without paying anything else.
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His point was that you could just pay privately for those things and it'd still be cheaper than a dental plan, not that the NHS is cheaper/the same quality. And you are paying other charges for any other work carried out, through paying for the dental plan in the first place.
 
jpod said:
PS you don't need to use strong medicated mouth washes, the above remove the bacteria you need to remove. Don't need to remove the health ones.
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I always suspected mouthwashes were an expensive scam of some kind and wonder how effective they are in combination with brushing/flossing etc
 
Family member works at a super private dentistry. Usually very expensive.
But as you might guess, I get everything for free :D
 
LeeUK said:
People think you are mad for letting student dentists do it, but their work is checked throughout by people who are probably more qualified than your average dentist.
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Used to have a NHS dentist, hated going as it always hurt.. Teeth consequently wern't in the best condition. Was also forced onto "denplan" and had to fork out every month for it and even then there always seemed to be the excuse "oh that's not covered sir".
Thankfully they retired and the new dentist that took over the same building making it a private practice is ****ing awesome.
Expensive but nothing is too much trouble, free brushes and floss and they have a "hygienist" too.
Was in last week for a small molar filling as something was detected in an x-ray previously.. a catch it before it gets worse type thing.
£110 :o :D
She's chatty, informative oh and oh yes.. HOT :D
 
Went to the dentist only yesterday for my yearly checkup, NHS dentist. Appointment was for 2:30pm, got there at 2:20pm, was out the door and on my way home by 2:30pm ..... polar opposite to going to the doctors in terms of NHS waiting times.
 
NHS Dentists are fine for checkups and normal routine. If you need something done urgently there is a wait list which can be up to 2 months in my area, this had a knock on effect with a tooth of mine when seeing the dentist this morning.

If I had the disposable income I would go private for peace of mind but that's a luxury I cannot afford. Generally speaking private dentists are usually better at their job for example they will have a specialist who does only root canals where as NHS dentists do not. I'm not saying NHS dentists are bad and I'm sure they have some exceptional dentists out there but for waiting times and specialist service I would prefer private myself, I could also fit in appointments a lot easier around work hours.
 
Called my NHS dentist, 3 weeks for an emergency appointment!

Went private, called up at 10am, in at 3.40pm.

It did cost £67 though for x-rays, scale and polish and antibiotics for a slight gum infection due to an impacted wisdom tooth.
 
Been through a handful of dentists.

Private/NHS doesn't matter, its who you get. Find someone who is informing and enjoys treating you over someone who is just doing their 9-5 and you cant go wrong (though, easier said than done).

The only advantage with private is that things seem to move along quicker. I have met some private dentists that have tried to fleece me (found out when i obtained a second and third opinion) but again, it depends on who you get.
 
jpod said:
As a former dental student I assume it will be to deposit money from the tooth fairy? :D
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Obviously you must be one of these dentists that don't quite make it then, one of these private ones people go to once but never again as the service and quality wasn't as expected.

The student I had was super, and being 3 years since I was there and not had any problems with the work, I'm overly satisfied. ;):)
 
LeeUK said:
The student I had was super, and being 3 years since I was there and not had any problems with the work, I'm overly satisfied. ;):)
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Lee I am delighted to hear that. The dental profession needs people who are willing to attend teaching hospitals and be treated by students. Bravo. :p
 
qqg3 said:
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 (?)...
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You get some bad NHS dentists and some great ones. My local Greek immigrant dentist surgery who got his accreditation from abroad was so bad that I complained to the PCT at the time and had him investigated.

He ****ing had a cigarette in his hand and chucked it out the window as I entered the room, I had no choice at the time but allowed him to do my filling but after that I never visited his practise again.

My new dentist are all British Dental Association certified and studied in the UK. They show their accreditation in the operating rooms. The place is modern, clean and the hygienists are fit :p. The quality of the work they do is great with modern equipment and they reassure you, talk to you about any procedure, go through cost before treatment and offer alternatives.
 
Dunks said:
Called my NHS dentist, 3 weeks for an emergency appointment!

Went private, called up at 10am, in at 3.40pm.

It did cost £67 though for x-rays, scale and polish and antibiotics for a slight gum infection due to an impacted wisdom tooth.
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£27 for an X-Ray and the tablets? My Hygenist will hit me for £40 for half an hour of cleaning. She is good right enough but £40 is harsh on low income. But that kind of treatment i have never ever seen done on the NHS except my first last year.
 
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