Dentist going Private

Some years ago a friend told me her husband, an NHS dentist, had decided to go fully private in London because it paid a lot better. If that remains the case I can't see any dentist staying with the NHS if he or she wishes to give themselves and their family the best income. It seems to me a question of NHS underfunding.

I pay £35 a month for Denplan but have definitely had my money's worth with root canals, a dental infection and an extraction caused by my wide-ranging health problems.

MawtheMerrier

We went on to Denplan over 20 years ago as our dentist gave up NHS work.
I wish my monthly payment was as little as £17.59!

I pay £17.36 a month for denplan that entitles me to have two hygienist visits and two check ups a year. A friend of mine pays about £40 a month but has a lot more covered in her plan than I do..😬

In my city it's still possible for everyone to get an NHS dentist. Quality of care varies greatly, I'm incredibly fortunate as have a good one with young dentists and they trigger 6 month appointments. I think they do have private patients too but don't know what different care they get.

I'll probably find out when something major crops up. Atm its well good enough.

MawtheMerrier

We went on to Denplan over 20 years ago as our dentist gave up NHS work.
I wish my monthly payment was as little as £17.59!

Indeed. We should be so lucky!

We went on to Denplan over 20 years ago as our dentist gave up NHS work.
I wish my monthly payment was as little as £17.59!

Just as an aside, my dentist, a private dentist has had to close their waiting list! Who ever would’ve thought that private dentists would even have had waiting lists a few years ago? 🫣

I'm struggling to find a dentist around here. I've not been able to get an appointment since way before Covid, and I know my teeth are now in a terrible state. I've phoned the dentist I was registered with before Covid on numerous occasions, only to be told they're not doing routine appointments. I simply can't afford to go private.

We’re going to end up in a situation like the last century when single women had all of their teeth removed to make them more marriageable so prospective suitors wouldn’t have to worry about having to pay for dental treatment. Only this time round all the men will have to do the same !

Shinamae

I have recently paid £1500, that’s to have a failing bridge, removed, five teeth pulled out and a new top denture….😬

I have had it done now well I’m still working part time as no way I could afford it on just the state pension which is what I’ll be left with when I give up work.. not sure how much longer I’ll be working as I am 70 in 10 days time, but I will work as long as I can..

I have recently paid £1500, that’s to have a failing bridge, removed, five teeth pulled out and a new top denture….😬

Luckily I still have an NHS dentist, but they are no longer taking on new NHS patients. However, I paid the same dentist privately for a new crown reently, as the NHS will not cover cosmetic dentistry - this was a very visible front tooth where the enamel front of the crown had worn away and I was left with the metal stump - perfectly still usable but not a pretty sight. Luckily I could afford it, and it was worth every penny.

Coolgran65

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.

The wait for my knee replacement surgery was much too long - I had the surgery a private route. Same with dental.

Broken medical/dental system - it is what it is.

Mine went private about 25 maybe 30 years ago and I stuck with him. He's now past retirement age and only working part time. Trouble is all the local dentists are now private and much more expensive than mine. My Son says he's always given options of treatment, much more expensive or cheaper but inferior according to his dentist. They always push him towards white fillings even at the back.

I have yet to see any evidence that anyone is being asked to pay for any main stream medical care: GP visit, hospital visit or an operation.

I know Sajid Javid suggested it recently, but he is yesterday's man, out of office and on his way out of politics.

Lots of ex-politicians in all parties suggest all kinds of wild and whacky policies when they are on their waay out. It is a way of grabbing back some attention, but no one in their right mind takes any notice of them.

What worries me most is that is because so many people have in been shouting 'wolf' over mainstream health care going private, they have ignored the real privitisation, which is that so many millions cannot afford private dental care and no longer have access to NHS dentists because the rates paid to dentists are so low that it is almost impossible for an NHS dental practice to operate and pay its staff.

My dentist went private about a year ago and I now have an insurance policy, but had to pay £153 for a simple filling and that was with 10% off.. but what choice do we have..

My dentist went completely private about 15 years ago - what can one do, that's how it is.

I have an appointment next week for 'posterior composite fillings' and the estimate is around £300 - but yesterday I spent £110 at the hairdressers so the dental charges seem reasonable in the overall scheme of things.

The opticians is another money pit but, like teeth, our eyes are important so we have to pay up.

M0nica

All these thread full of people waxing hysterical over the NHS being privatised, which it isn't

Seems to me they would be of better use shouting long and hard over the de facto privitisation of the dental service, where we are already at the point where most of us have no choice other than to pay for dental treatment and millions are going with out dentistry because they cannot afford it.

You keep saying this, thread after thread. Without ever giving any evidence at all. I really do wonder why you keep stating this.

on the right of the NHS on the right of the party in power

M0nica

All these thread full of people waxing hysterical over the NHS being privatised, which it isn't

Seems to me they would be of better use shouting long and hard over the de facto privitisation of the dental service, where we are already at the point where most of us have no choice other than to pay for dental treatment and millions are going with out dentistry because they cannot afford it.

You don't know that this isn't the intention M0nica. I don't know that it is but it has been the declared aim by some on the right of the NHS and they have been in control of the party and pushing the NHS in that direction.

Why do you believe they wouldn't do with the NHS exactly what they have don't with dentistry? We have lost that and it will take more pulling back but we could stop this happening in Health.

My dentist actually suggested we save regularly instead of paying dental insurance.
She said to keep doing it though as if you need major work it won't be cheap.

My last set of work was £280... but I do have rubbish teeth inspite of being super-careful.
My dad's closest friend taught dentistry when I was a child and insisted I had fluoride mouthwash from about age 7!
I have been every 6 months forever. I think I'd have no teeth by now if I hadn't been.

Now we know how our dentistry affect our heart and general health I don't think it's worth skimping on it if at all possible.

In my town there is a two tier system, which means that some people who have managed to stay with the same dentist for years get NHS treatment, whereas those who have moved house, had a dentist move away, return or die, or whose dentist has gone private have to pay. It seems very unfair. If we really can't have the NHS service we've paid into for years, I'd rather see everyone get free checkups and hygienist treatment, with a lower charge for other work, paid by everyone. That seems much fairer than some getting it free (or almost free) and others paying huge sums or going without.

Been with our dentist for years , before lockdown they were NHS but on reopening we discovered it was difficult getting appts and they started doing private patients . I had a bit of a nagging tooth at my last check up and she said the filling was cracked and they'd get me in ASAP to do it . Different story when I went to reception to book in the appt and she said there was nothing free for 6 months .
I then sat in the waiting room while my husband had his check up and heard her answer the phone and tell someone they weren't taking anymore new NHS patients and she offered the caller an appt for the very next week .
As existing NHS patients at the practice we are realising private patients are being given priority. It's a bit disappointing as we've kept our 6 monthly check up appts religiously . Our adult son needed a root canal and was told it would be an 8 month wait but they could do it privately the following week . He paid as he didn't want to leave it that long and he can afford it but ìts an expensive luxury for a lot of people . How are we supposed to look after our dental health . I'm thinking I might open a savings account just for dental emergencies and put in a regular amount.

Our dentist went private about 15years ago. No nhs dentists nearby. We joined denplan at £28 each per month covers most treatments. We have rubbish teeth. I feel so sorry for folk who don’t have the money - toothache is one of the worst of pains.

Well done Annsixty!!
I used to think my teeth were ok but receding gums, abscesses, and recently 2 lower front teeth broke in half on biting into a baguette!
So it's a plate for me now.
Someone I know, in her 80s has just remortgaged her house to pay for implants!
I'm not as vain as that.