BUPA NHS dental work cost £500!

I live in the USA. We pay $136 a month dental insurance for me and DH, which covers 50% of dental work, up to $2000 a year each. However a straightforward crown costs $1200 and a hygienist appointment costs $80 after insurance pays out. I’m also in the middle of having two implants done which will add up to $10,000 altogether by the time I’ve paid the implant specialist and my regular dentist. The dental work is excellent but the costs are eye-watering.

SheepyIzzy - 👏👏👏👏👏

My previous NHS dentist closed and has since gone private. No NHS dentist taking patients in my area and also my daughter's. I had to register with another private dentist when they closed and now pay £24 a month for two checkups and hygienist visits a year. I recently lost a filling and had to pay £145. It is worth it to me to get an appointment in a reasonable time. During Covid it was impossible to see a dentist NHS or private. I can't really afford it but peace of mind is important. NHS services are being privatised by stealth. GP service is not good and unable to see the one female part time GP without my hopeless GP's permission. At my age I would prefer a female GP but they are few and far between.

Been to a private dentist for over 20yrs, they did my children via NHS until they were 18 yrs.
I still go twice a year for check up's about £48 each time consequently my teeth are always OK, any issues would be seen in advance.
If I paid Insurance it would cost me far more, in my view worth it.

About 20 years ago my dentist went private. I had nowhere else to ho otger than travelling about 30 miles each way to another practice. I wrote to my MP quoting the sections of the National Health Act that covered dental provision. She found me a dentist willing to provide dental service charging local health board for his service at his private costs. I attended about 3 years then a new NHS practice opened up nearby abd I moved there and still going. Perhaps we should all be asking MPs to find dental care for us as per the legislation!

My monthly dental insurance I think is expensive. But having read this thread, I'm starting to think differently.

What have the tory's got to do with a BUPA dentist?
We go to an amazing private dentist, our choice, locally. Our previous dentist was NHS. Again, brilliant, but a bit too far away.
If you don't get any response from your complaint, you should consider going to ombudsman.

Like Bamm my dh has a Denplan with his dentist. It is excellent. He pays about £25 per month and only pays extra for lab work..
My dentist of 30 years went private last year. His plan is £17.50 per month and for that I get two check ups/clean plus 3 xrays if needed plus 10% off any work done. I need a root canal and it'll cost me £450.
Last year I approached dh's dentist but they weren't taking any new patients. They did tell me that dh's Denplan was no longer available for new patients.

My NHS dentist turned private without any warning. I asked to join Denplan, but I’ll have to have all work done first to the cost of 1k before I can join. I’ve checked numerous other dentist? they’ve all said the same thing.

I visit a private dental practice and of late I have had a terrible bottom sensitive tooth pain. It’s the tooth I had a deep filling in years ago, I would like it out but I’m not too sure as I’m on a blood thinner and I’m frightened to have to stop the blood thinner as I’m sure doing this while having implants may have caused my stroke. Any advice please.

Perhaps we should all be asking MPs to find dental care for us as per the legislation!

Good point 4all