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Dentists again

(45 Posts)
ExDancer Thu 26-Oct-23 08:50:21

My dentist has opted out of the nhs so I'm going to have to join a 'plan' for private treatment.
I'm 84 and my teeth are a mess.
She is offering private care under her own scheme for £16.60 per month, offering 2 checkups, and 2 hygene appts - but no xrays I notice.

I can't fathom out what other schemes (like denplan) cost and which would be most suitable.

My only income is the state pension, and I do not qualify for benefits as I own some land.
What do you pay, and what is covered?

What do others pay, and what is covered

ExDancer Tue 04-Jun-24 10:13:52

If the dentist thinks you need treatment (say a filling) and you just don't have the money to pay for it, I assume you can refuse treatment?
It may be embarrassing, but no-one can force you to have a filling.
As the cost of treatment is more than my monthly pension I may have to do just that.

Marishan08 Tue 04-Jun-24 10:05:36

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Fleurpepper Sun 19-Nov-23 21:00:40

Ah thanks, so very similar to prices in France.

Katyj Sun 19-Nov-23 20:43:04

Fleurpepper I’ve been quoted £800 for a root tratment and crown and it’s around £2,000 for an implant. I’m saving up !

dragonfly46 Sun 19-Nov-23 18:42:17

I am lucky. My dentist is still NHS. He does private work as well.

kittylester Sun 19-Nov-23 18:34:51

No, I know that, Bluebelle, but the dentists have to offered a reasonable contract in the first place - or any sort of contract.

BlueBelle Sun 19-Nov-23 18:15:18

Doesn’t seem as if Suffolk is the only one Kittylester Cumbria North Lancs Cornwell and Norfolk have all been mentioned by other posters

Fleurpepper Sun 19-Nov-23 17:04:20

I know each case is different- but ...

how much is root treatment and a crown these days

and how much for an implant?

kittylester Sun 19-Nov-23 16:31:57

Or maybe Suffolk are not offering a good enough contract.

BlueBelle Sun 19-Nov-23 16:03:15

I too have had problems and no dentists seem to want to come to Suffolk either Primrose so many people haven’t got a dentist I have what is called an NHS therapist that is someone fully qualified in their own country but until their paperwork is signed off (and that seems to take years) they can t do anything apart from check ups hygiene, simple fillings etc root canals or extractions not allowed so goodness what I ll do if I need that
My teeth at 78 aren’t as good as I d like them to be and I feel
I ll need something doing before long no idea how I ll manage I don’t get benefits but I do only have the bare limits not to
It’s very scary

rjack Sun 19-Nov-23 15:31:18

Agree wholeheartedly with everything that is said. My dentist is going private but I read this in the local paper, no contact with practice to tell me this. Makes me mad. I had my 20yr. old grandson from Holland staying this summer. He developed toothache, I contacted the dental hospital to ask advice. Receptionist told me to bring him in later on in the day, tell him to bring his passport and treatment will be free!!!!

Alygran Mon 30-Oct-23 15:43:43

Shinamae

Alygran

Shinamae

Alygran

I moved to the private side of my practice 6 years ago when my dentist moved across. I’ve always had problems and he had been brilliant so it was a no brainier.
Earlier this year he moved me to an all inclusive contract as I needed more hygienist treatment with the airflow system. Three weeks ago my lower right jaw began to hurt a lot. I was seen the same day by another dentist in the practices. Everything settled down with the treatment done. A week later I saw my dentist. There was an infection so had antibiotics. Last week at my regular check up he did an X-ray and advised that the problem tooth should come out. He did it there and then. Total cost for all this was zero. Without the current contract it would have been approaching £1000……

But how much do you pay for your all inclusive contract?

£29.50 per month. 2 check ups, 4 hygienist visits for airflow treatment per year. All dental work except lab costs. I also have a card to access treatment abroad included.

For ALL dental work?does that include crowns, bridges,root canal,fillings,dentures, if so you have got a magnificent contract for that money… 😁

Not lab costs so I would have to pay for a bridge or denture to be made but it would cover the dentist’s time to fit it.

Shinamae Sun 29-Oct-23 21:54:11

Alygran

Shinamae

Alygran

I moved to the private side of my practice 6 years ago when my dentist moved across. I’ve always had problems and he had been brilliant so it was a no brainier.
Earlier this year he moved me to an all inclusive contract as I needed more hygienist treatment with the airflow system. Three weeks ago my lower right jaw began to hurt a lot. I was seen the same day by another dentist in the practices. Everything settled down with the treatment done. A week later I saw my dentist. There was an infection so had antibiotics. Last week at my regular check up he did an X-ray and advised that the problem tooth should come out. He did it there and then. Total cost for all this was zero. Without the current contract it would have been approaching £1000……

But how much do you pay for your all inclusive contract?

£29.50 per month. 2 check ups, 4 hygienist visits for airflow treatment per year. All dental work except lab costs. I also have a card to access treatment abroad included.

For ALL dental work?does that include crowns, bridges,root canal,fillings,dentures, if so you have got a magnificent contract for that money… 😁

Alygran Sun 29-Oct-23 18:26:25

Katy pm’d you

Katyj Sun 29-Oct-23 17:36:38

Shinamae
Alygran
I moved to the private side of my practice 6 years ago when my dentist moved across. I’ve always had problems and he had been brilliant so it was a no brainier.
Earlier this year he moved me to an all inclusive contract as I needed more hygienist treatment with the airflow system. Three weeks ago my lower right jaw began to hurt a lot. I was seen the same day by another dentist in the practices. Everything settled down with the treatment done. A week later I saw my dentist. There was an infection so had antibiotics. Last week at my regular check up he did an X-ray and advised that the problem tooth should come out. He did it there and then. Total cost for all this was zero. Without the current contract it would have been approaching £1000……
But how much do you pay for your all inclusive contract?
£29.50 per month. 2 check ups, 4 hygienist visits for airflow treatment per year. All dental work except lab costs. I also have a card to access treatment abroad included.
What’s the name of your contract Alygran. Is it exclusive to your dentist ?

Alygran Sun 29-Oct-23 12:57:02

Shinamae

Alygran

I moved to the private side of my practice 6 years ago when my dentist moved across. I’ve always had problems and he had been brilliant so it was a no brainier.
Earlier this year he moved me to an all inclusive contract as I needed more hygienist treatment with the airflow system. Three weeks ago my lower right jaw began to hurt a lot. I was seen the same day by another dentist in the practices. Everything settled down with the treatment done. A week later I saw my dentist. There was an infection so had antibiotics. Last week at my regular check up he did an X-ray and advised that the problem tooth should come out. He did it there and then. Total cost for all this was zero. Without the current contract it would have been approaching £1000……

But how much do you pay for your all inclusive contract?

£29.50 per month. 2 check ups, 4 hygienist visits for airflow treatment per year. All dental work except lab costs. I also have a card to access treatment abroad included.

Katyj Sun 29-Oct-23 12:26:12

I’ve had to joint a private dentist as mine went private without notice. I can join their plan at £15 per month for that I get x rays i dental check up and one clean also 20% off treatments. I need a crown and two part fillings and it’s still £850 ! It’s a lot of money.
I’m thinking about it. Are there any dental plans that cover the cost of all treatment ?

Casbe Sun 29-Oct-23 11:34:41

I live in Cornwall and have been on the NHS dental list for 7 years! As a result of Covid in 2001 I lost a number of fillings and my teeth are in desperate need of treatment. In desperation my DIL registered me with her NHS practice in London in March and I have a check up appointment booked for November. The downside is that I will have to travel 220 miles each way for any appointments but on the plus side hopefully I will get the dental treatment I require.

Shinamae Sun 29-Oct-23 11:29:18

Alygran

I moved to the private side of my practice 6 years ago when my dentist moved across. I’ve always had problems and he had been brilliant so it was a no brainier.
Earlier this year he moved me to an all inclusive contract as I needed more hygienist treatment with the airflow system. Three weeks ago my lower right jaw began to hurt a lot. I was seen the same day by another dentist in the practices. Everything settled down with the treatment done. A week later I saw my dentist. There was an infection so had antibiotics. Last week at my regular check up he did an X-ray and advised that the problem tooth should come out. He did it there and then. Total cost for all this was zero. Without the current contract it would have been approaching £1000……

But how much do you pay for your all inclusive contract?

Alygran Sun 29-Oct-23 11:14:45

I moved to the private side of my practice 6 years ago when my dentist moved across. I’ve always had problems and he had been brilliant so it was a no brainier.
Earlier this year he moved me to an all inclusive contract as I needed more hygienist treatment with the airflow system. Three weeks ago my lower right jaw began to hurt a lot. I was seen the same day by another dentist in the practices. Everything settled down with the treatment done. A week later I saw my dentist. There was an infection so had antibiotics. Last week at my regular check up he did an X-ray and advised that the problem tooth should come out. He did it there and then. Total cost for all this was zero. Without the current contract it would have been approaching £1000……

dogsmother Sun 29-Oct-23 10:56:27

Always been obliged to use private dental insurance as we don’t have nhs in the islands.
We use Simply Health they only cover one annual which is sufficient.

Shinamae Sun 29-Oct-23 10:46:01

I have a top full denture(only in the last 12 months when my bridge failed,🤦‍♀️) and nearly a full set of my own teeth at the bottom, although some are pretty chipped
It is a private dentist and a husband and wife team and they are excellent. I have been paying for their plan which is £18.60 a month but just includes two hygienist visits (which I hate anyway)and two check ups a year but I am seriously thinking of going pay as you go…

Dickens Sun 29-Oct-23 10:36:30

ExDancer

It seems there are no dentists in Cumbria and N Lancs who are accepting new NHS patients (I should have made this clear before I posted)
My friend who used to be a dental-nurse travels into Lancaster to a private dentist and pays as she goes. She says the plan I've been offered is rubbish because all it offers is check-ups and access to a hygenist, and that the dentist will undoubtably find something to fix at each visit and charge for attention that may not be necessary.
She pays as she goes, even though a tiny filling costs nearly £100.
I think I may follow her example

She says the plan I've been offered is rubbish because all it offers is check-ups and access to a hygenist, and that the dentist will undoubtably find something to fix at each visit and charge for attention that may not be necessary.

If you need any major treatment - you will pay through the nose anyway, so those 'plans' are "rubbish" as they don't cover any of the essential costs that you might incur.

I also PAYGO.

Dickens Sun 29-Oct-23 10:30:40

MayBee70

Why is there no public outcry about the fact that so many people can no longer afford basic dental treatment? It’s like a ticking time bomb because our dental health can affect our overall health. People are concerned about the erosion of our NHS and yet we’ve lost an important part of it and it’s just been accepted as inevitable. We’ll be in a situation soon whereby people have all of their teeth out in their twenties so they won’t have to pay extortionate dental charges in later life!

Why is there no public outcry about the fact that so many people can no longer afford basic dental treatment?

Because we've been acclimatised to accept it as 'inevitable' along with all the other axed health services.

ExDancer Sun 29-Oct-23 09:25:31

It seems there are no dentists in Cumbria and N Lancs who are accepting new NHS patients (I should have made this clear before I posted)
My friend who used to be a dental-nurse travels into Lancaster to a private dentist and pays as she goes. She says the plan I've been offered is rubbish because all it offers is check-ups and access to a hygenist, and that the dentist will undoubtably find something to fix at each visit and charge for attention that may not be necessary.
She pays as she goes, even though a tiny filling costs nearly £100.
I think I may follow her example