are private dentists worth it?

[Abby2431]

Hello all,

I have been having real trouble with my nhs dentist! I can never get it
N, they're always running late and I have been 8 times in 3 months about the pain I have been having in my tooth!

Am seriously tempted to try private but don't know if the expense is worth it?

I would value other mums opinion - I'm torn as to what to do! I don't want to be in pain ! If anyone is private can they give me a idea on cost?

Thankyou! Xx

[bb888]

I use a private dentist, and am very happy with the service, much more time and care taken. I pay £40 a check up, I think fillings are around £60?

[slebmum1]

My dentist who I see privately is also an NHS dentist in the same practice. I'm not eligible. I get more appointment time - evenings etc than I did when I was eligible and definitely get a more thorough check up.

[SquadGoals]

Hmm I'm not convinced it is massively worth it.

It's great when I can get an emergency appointment for an hour after I call, but for a lot of the big stuff like wisdom teeth removal, I had to go to an NHS surgeon anyway. Who ballsed it up and didn't even tell me. It took 12 weeks for the referral too, so not even particularly quick.

I'd probably look at finding another NHS dentist first, unless someone can recommend an excellent private dentist.

I'm glad I am living abroad - currently need the remaining three teeth out. For the surgery, plus sedation & anaesthetist, it is costing me £190. All staff trained in the UK. They also could fit me in 3 days after I first saw them

[suzannecaravaggio]

fillings are more like £180-£200 ime

I cant comment on nhs vs private as I've only ever used private...except back in the day when all dental care was free

[FarrowandBallAche]

I think so on the whole.

I used to go to a NHS dentist that did a root canal, the crown is hideous. He was very quick when doing a check up/filling and there wasn't a hygienist, he would do a quick scrape and polish after the check up.

I went private about 4 years ago. It's quite swish. Plush waiting area, kids toy area, nice views ( whilst you sit waiting thinking how much is this going to cost ) all these things don't make the experience any better for me. Not fussed about them, but the hygenist is wonderful. 30 mins of cleaning. The dentist is good too. Wouldn't go back to NHS.

[PollyPerky]

I've gone privately for years and years.
So many things are better- trivial things like better waiting rooms but also really up to date equipment and then more options over materials which aren't available on the NHS.

I pay around £40 for a check up once a year and around £40 twice a year for hygienist. Fillings are around £120.

[RandomMess]

Doesn't matter if they are NHS or private - it's down to how good the individual dentist is!!!!

I had an excellent dentist (private) struggling to find a decent since I moved house a long way away

[DickDewy]

I have a lovely private dentist.

I was under the impression that almost all dentists are private - I don't know why I thought this.

Dentist is fab, but it's very expensive. I had a crown and it was £850.

[LongHardStare]

Agree with RandomMess it depends on the individual. All the dentists I've come across over years and years do both NHS and private. You may get preferential appointment times by going private but that is about it. With an NHS dentist you can usually also have the option of paying for particular treatments privately if they are cosmetic or for whatever reason.

I've had to go to the dentist privately for years as it so hard to find one with NHS vacancies. The same dentist sees my son as an NHS patient.

[mrsmugoo]

I wish I could find an NHS dentist within acceptable distance that would actually accept patients so I could comment!

[Mrsmorton]

Dental treatment hasn't been free unless you fall into an exempt category since 1952 suzanne how old are you?