To think accessing a good dentist is difficult and expensive?

[AbsentmindedWoman]

This afternoon, I had a private dental appointment, they were good but it's bloody costly. I need to pay £700 for a couple of fillings, then later more money for a ceramic cover thing and perhaps a root canal. All £££ it is really stressful and I'm wondering if I'm foolish for trying to hold onto the tooth that has a particularly big cavity, maybe it's fucked now anyway and nothing will save it. Maybe I'm being stupid spending money but I don't want to lose it if at all possible

I'm scared, I hate dental treatments and a bit upset as I feel let down by NHS dentistry. At the same time I appreciate that at least I was able to find an NHS dentist to register with as I've read that certain parts of the country have none available for miles, so for example I had an emergency filling in the past and I'm thankful for that. But overall the care has been so hit or miss.

What do people do if they can't scrape money together for private? It's insane that it's so hard to get good dental care? I mean, I don't notice people with missing teeth so perhaps I just have shit luck with my crap teeth?

We have dental insurance with simply health, it is about £9 a month per adult then the children are free. It was worth it, it makes anything half price. It is hard to find anywhere taking on NHS patients in this area.

Yes I'll definitely be looking at dental insurance going forward but I think they have to get the teeth to a respectable level before you're eligible. Maybe some people are never eligible - I'm type 1 diabetic so probably won't get cover we all insurers can argue diabetes is ruining the gums so leading to more problems.

Your policy sounds reasonably priced though and great the kids are free.

My dentist did a root canal for me several years ago. It recently started playing up. She referred me to a specialist who I am seeing tomorrow - consultation £150 and treatment £775!!! I need to take out a mortgage...

My dentist is flipping fab, I get free dental care on the nhs as have a maternity expemtion certificate. I have work under sedation and all sorts.

Denplan is excellent if you can afford it?

If you could register with a NHS dentist why are you complaining at the cost of going private?!

I think they have to get the teeth to a respectable level before you're eligible. Maybe some people are never eligible

I think they don't cover pre-existing conditions but anything after 3 months ...my dentists recommended Simplyhealth as cheaper than Denplan and they compared them all. there is some info here. you have to be in it 6 months though. My teeth were not great and it has covered me. even stuff like replacing a filling from the emergency access clinic when I had no dentists.

www.simplyhealth.co.uk/health-plans/dental-plan?source=ppc&cid=9105&gclid=CjwKCAjw8e7mBRBsEiwAPVxxiLpe-txFcZ2d2k6Kw_ZOkA7mIOxNiP_yRy7qTlAvL1tQp-86x7HY_BoCEBcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

But unfortunately if they have already identified the things needed it wouldn't cover that I guess unless you had it already.

If it was me in that case I'd try and get this stuff sorted with NHS unless you want to pay a fortune, as it would be cheaper. then go private with insurance in place...

I've lost faith in NHS dentist, it's not been good or thorough or reassuring and now suddenly here I am needing a complicated filling/ possible root canal. How did their X-rays miss this when it was smaller and more manageable?