I have usually seen a private dentist as it is impossible to find an NHS one. The last dentist I saw charged £35 for a check up and he would also do the cleaning bit sometimes done by a hygienist. The £35 covered all of that.
Have just been to a new dentist (owing to the fact that we have moved) and was staggered at the cost. The check up cost £50, x-rays (OK only done because I am a new patient) cost £18 and I have to go back next week to see the hygienist at a further cost of £27, making a total cost of £95. Not only is it more than twice the cost, but it is less convenient as I have to make the two visits.
I am totally aghast at this charge. I don't even need treatment! There was talk of replacing some old fillings in later visits, but I dread to think what that would cost. It actually made me think that I would think twice about going to see the dentist if I had a problem or would not go back in 6 months but stretch it out a bit and go in 9 months or something to lessen the cost.
Was I just very lucky with my old dentist? Do you think these charges are normal? And BTW, this is not London. I used to see a dentsit and separate hygienist in London and they used to charge about £25 each, but I was working then. These charges are exorbitant!