How am I going to pay for my dentist treatment?

[Foody8410]

Aibu to say that dental treatment is extremely expensive?
I'm currently a sahm, husband pays for everything I need but we don't have much to spare each month. Don't claim any benefits.
I haven't been to the dentist in 3 years because as covid began they didn't calle for my check up, then accused me of not attending & took me off their books. Since then I have been ringing dentists in a 40 mile radius every day and none are taking on or even have waiting lists. I now need multiple things done but they arent emergency treatment as not in pain.

I've been plodding on hoping I find somewhere else, but now I have a tooth that broke in half and previous dentist built it up with composite??? This has fallen off. And I can't bite on the other side as feel a huge electric shock up a tooth when I bite down. I also have areas of decay on my front teeth that I need sorting.

So I've had to go private, my first appointment is today. I am very very worried about what this is going to cost?
I need it done but how am I going to pay for it? I don't believe the dentist offers payment plans etc so is it the case of putting it on a credit card and paying it off afterwards? I don't have my own credit card as not eligible so will have to go on husbands. I feel horribly guilty

A lot of folk would be in financial difficulty if they chose not to work. Perhaps it's time to have a rethink with the cost of living set to rise substantially. Then you would have more money for these unexpected expenses. As others have suggested ask about a payment plan.,

I'm very late to this post but I relate to this so much currently!!

I'm also a SAHM.. my husband is the earner. Good wage, not entitled to anything than the CB everyone receives.. but this doesn't mean to say we're rich just because of a good wage who qualifies for no help. My youngest doesn't start preschool until October and even then that's only 6 hours a week for now. Finding a job around school holidays, and the added thought of having to pay for childcare for the youngest to be looked after whilst I was to work, would be pointless. I'd be working to pay childcare. I wouldn't benefit from this currently.
I have a major dentist phobia due to trauma when I was 18 at a visit to the dentist. A month ago I plucked the courage up, and booked my children in to the dentist (private due to no NHS spaces) and myself, knowing I definitely need work done. My children were fine, nothing wrong thankfully. But whole different ball game for me, I need 2 filling (no problem, I've had them before) and a small clean at the next appointment in August which is costing £355 in total. Then being a anxious patient they want me to see the oral surgeon to be seated to have two retained roots pulled. This she expects to be around the £700 mark with the cost of consultation with surgeon, the work, the sedation etc.
This may be relatively cheap considering it is private to some.. I'm not sure!
But as someone who doesn't earn a wage and we rely solely on my husbands wage for now, I don't know where I'm going to get the money from. I'd never expect him to pay 1k + just for my teeth. It's my own fault really, but i also can't help anxiety and phobias. It'll either be his credit card or I'll do a den plan. He has said he will put the money in my bank monthly for me, but even then I still feel bad. I don't know how it all works and that gives me anxiety in itself.

I hope you've managed to sort something. But just know you're not alone. i completely felt this whole post. Everyones personal circumstances are different, I'd love to work, but genuinely right now, we would be no better off. Not until he gets his free 15 hours children get the term after they're 3. X

How would you feel if your DH needed expensive dental work? Would you feel resentful at the cost, or just relieved someone could make him better?

You sound like you have a classic case of mum guilt. Don't put yourself last. You wouldn't stand for it if anyone treated any of your little family this way, why are you so happy to treat yourself like this?

Oh this reply 😔 so very true! But yet I'm still so naive being in the same situation. Definitely massive case of mum guilt x

There may still be a way to access an NHS dentist

This is from the NHS website

"If after contacting several dental surgeries you still cannot find a dentist accepting NHS patients, call NHS England's Customer Contact Centre on 0300 311 2233.

NHS England commissions dental services in England and is required to meet the needs of their local population for both urgent and routine dental care."

www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/how-to-find-an-nhs-dentist/

I’ve just had a tooth taken out at the back
private cost £100

plus initial X-ray the week before £45

then an appointment at a specialist to get a referral for dental scan £60

hygienist £80

dental scan £105

total cost £390

thats without the cost of the implant

and I’ve never even had a filling in my life 😂

I feel for you. I’ve just got a dental bill for £1200. This is separate to the £25 a month I pay to the dentist. We can’t get a nhs dentist for love or money.

low interest credit card. Check on Martin the Moneysaver. Something like Aqua or Vanquis for poor credit rating.

Presumably you can give household income figure they have an eligiblity checker

Over the last 2 .5 years I've broken 4 teeth I think , they seem to be crumbling which is worrying. But I can't afford a dentist, I've been removed from where my children go so don't actually have one. I'm at a loss at what I can do and am petrified when I eat.

It's just awful isn't it. I've just been told mine will total £1111. They do a plan which is 6 months free interest, but for a SAHM with no income.. with the price of everything sodding else going up which we rely on my partners money for.. I can't afford around £185 per month for those 6 months. At a loss with what to do!!!! Bladdy teeth. I've never had a credit card and didn't want one, I'm guessing this must be my last option to have a look in to. Stress stress stress.