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Health

Dentist going Private

(57 Posts)
Katyj Fri 27-Jan-23 07:30:01

Yes I suspect that’s the way mines going too. I phoned this week for a check up, only to be told their not doing checks ups, only emergency treatment, then I would be given temporary treatment if needed.
The receptionist suggested seeing an NHS dentist for a check up. I’ve been looking all week but non are taking NHS patients near us. My teeth aren’t very good and I really need a bridge. Think I need to start saving !

Ali23 Fri 27-Jan-23 06:56:34

Same here. I couldn’t find an NHS dentist so had to go private and was offered a similar deal to the OP. I chose pay as you go and this is costing an average of £100 each 6 months for check up, xray and hygienist. No prices are on the wall and he has just said he intends to crown a back tooth in the future. It felt like being at the hairdressers when they start dropping ideas about colours into the conversation.

cornergran Fri 27-Jan-23 06:28:24

We’re hanging on to NHS dentistry, just. Our large dental practice has a group of newly trained dentists working in their first, supervised year who then all seem to move on. These are now the only NHS dentists, the rest switched to a private basis three years ago. As a result we see a different dentist every year. No, as a nervous patient I don’t like it but to be fair the treatment has been excellent and I realise we’re fortunate to still have the choice. Neither of us have reliable teeth. The costs quoted for private dentistry are frankly frightening.

NotAGran55 Fri 27-Jan-23 05:52:21

I’ve been with my private dentist since 1981 and on a Denplan plan for about 10 years now. I gave up trying to find an NHS dentist who was accepting patients onto a waiting list.

BlueBalou Fri 27-Jan-23 05:44:42

Same at my practice and I’ve been going there for 45 years!
Little or no choice around here, there’s not an NHS dentist for miles 🙄

absent Fri 27-Jan-23 05:12:02

Yep, hefty bills. Medical treatment is free – except for your teeth. That's how it seems to work.

Coolgran65 Fri 27-Jan-23 04:40:41

I have been with my NHS dentist for 25 years. Today I learned he is now going private and reception has told me that at my upcoming appointment he will be having a conversation with me about the way forward. It seems I will have two options, pay as I go, or take out a Plan at a fee of £17.59 per monrh. The plan will become active after 6 monthly payments following my next checkup and will cover 2 check ups per year with scale and polish and up to 3 xrays. Plus 10% off other costs.
Perhaps naively I thought that as an NHS patient he couldn't just not continue to treat me on NHS.
As we know, getting into a new dentist's list as an NHS patient is nigh impossible.
I don't have good teeth, an upper denture but most of my lower teeth with lots of fillings, several crowns, root canals etc and no way do I want to be without a dentist.
I'm feeling that either way, even with the Plan, I will be facing hefty bills.