Why no dentistry like Specsavers option?

[MegCleary]

DH was musing last night why there are no ‘dentistry chains’ like spec savers? Medical qualification needed. Free under 18, serious health benefits when correct and risks when not checked (sight loss verses dental pain and tooth loss)
what have we missed, why is it not a thing?

No kids yet, but my private dentist has no NHS places and sees kids free. Maybe they’re kids places on NHS, though, I’m not sure.

Why would a three year old see a dental hygienist? That is gruelling for an adult.

Mine charges £30 for an 8 year old. Check up only

Same here. I thought that was normal.

Dental surgeries need lots of highly trained people.
Opticians are obviously highly trained too but the business model relies on selling glasses which doesn’t need anything like the level of experience of staff. I know someone who worked in an optician as a Saturday girl for example.

but anyway it’s totally disgraceful how difficult it is to find any kind of affordable dentist.

Oh and the actual glasses selling makes lots of profit!

Doesn't the guy who won the grand National own 500 dentists or something? That must be a chain?

Boots tried it and it didn't work.
Private treatments already subsidise NHS treatment as the system we work under for the NHS is so poor.

I’ve had to go private, after many emails to mp and dentists etc. the issue beat the availability. Costing a fortune they have said they’ll see dd’s for £25 each for review. I am battling dd15’s nhs practice as they have only one nhs dentist so only doing emergency care. She has braces under orthodontist but dentist will not see here for regular review as no space. What is the point of doing the costly braces for free and not the underlying care. But if we sign up for their private service and she comes off the nhs list they will see her tomorrow.
I am beyond fury.

My DD (4) gets free dental appointments at a bupa dentist without me being a patient there. It's half an hour drive but nearest that's taking children on.

Denplam

The government decides how much money it wants to spend on NHS dental care. Currently that's enough to cover about 50-60% of the population.

If you can't find an NHS dentist you need to contact your MP, it's their job to take that to parliament on your behalf.

Personally, I agree with the OP. Children should be allocated an NHS dentist (like your GP) and get all free treatment to the age of 18. On current funding that would mean even fewer adults would get care though....

My private dentist did see children free under NHS (as long as parent was a private patient), but they exited their contract. Luckily youngest DC was 17, so we only had to pay for one check up before she turned 18 anyway.

That's what I thought, she barely opens her mouth for the dentist 🙈

Yes she would get to visit the hygienist for that price, but it would be totally pointless at age 3.

... there are private dentists you know. I imagine that dentists wouldn't want to be part of a chain as that usually leads to lower wages for those involved and dentists are trained for like 7 years.

@TheWayoftheLeaf i know there are private dentists I was just wondering why no high street chains and posters have given some good reasons 😀

As someone said up thread. Dentists and opticians are massively underpaid by the NHS to provide NHS services. Opticians unlike dentists, can subsidise this using frame and lens sales. Dentists can't.

Even then Specsavers are only as cheap as they are because they are a global company buying frames, lenses and equipment from suppliers in bulk at massively reduced rates. That's why independent opticians are more expensive than a multiple like Specsavers.