Which? Dentist

[Chris Beard]

Hi team,

I find myself in need a root canal and I understand from my dentist the NHS option is extraction.

They also tell me that this particular tooth accounts for 60% of my chewing function (I guess the implication is that extraction may be a bad idea).

Dentist tells me they have someone who will do the root canal privately for something like £950.

I'm looking at what I want to do, perhaps I might even look at an implant.

Anyway, my question of the forum is how do you select a good private dentist when the NHS fails you? Can't seem to find very much by way of who's a charlatan and who knows what they are doing.

 

[Chris Beard]

The NHS option should not be extraction, it is either a band 2 or 3 root canal treatment (£65 or £280 ish, molars fall into the upper band)

Agreed - and that's what I thought. Then I read this: https://dentalchoices.org/root-canal-treatment/ and other similar sources.

Seems that the NHS deal for dentists is so poor that they just don't bother with root canals on back teeth.

Sure I can complain, but that still won't get me a root canal and will just really annoy my NHS dentist.

 

[Chris Beard]

That sounds really expensive even for a private dentist... Sure I only paid about 300 for root treatment and crown.
That's going back about 5 years though.

I'm in Hampshire and need a molar done.

From a bit of reading I'm in an expensive area and also need an expensive tooth sorted.

How did your choose your dentist if you don't mind my asking?

 

[Chris Beard]

My wife needs 2 crowns doing at £750 a pop for ceramic.

Just your normal NHS dentist, or did you choose a private dentist? If so, can I ask how you selected your private dentist please?

 

[Chris Beard]

Check your company perks. I pay £15 a month for dental cover which will cover the first £1500 of any dental surgery I might need. Many companies do this, but are a bit shy to offer it as every claim ups their costs.

Thank you, great advice. I had checked and despite paying for private medical it doesn't cover dentistry and there is no other dental offer through work