Dentist - private or NHS?

[MaresyDotes]

We go to a local NHS dentist, but DH gets health insurance through his employer and it covers dental costs. We have been wondering if we would be better off asking the dentist if we can become private patients.

Does anyone know what the difference is between private and NHS treatment - apart from, obviously, the cost? As far as I can see, the main difference is that you get a longer appointment and cleaning is offered as standard.

NHS treatment is free and for private one you need private medical insurance to cover the costs.

IME NHS dentistry aims to fix problems when they happen and private dentistry tries to prevent problems from happening. Big over sim

IME NHS dentistry aims to fix problems when they happen and private dentistry tries to prevent problems from happening. Big over simplifcation I know, but this has been my consistent experience in several parts of the country. As I have immune mediated gum disease which the NHS dentists are really not interested in I and all my family go private.

Sorry for double post silly I device.

the difference is the treatment options available. Both should do an adequate check up, make correct diagnosis and offer solutions. NHS solutions will be the cheapest and usually least sophisticated available. But very often perfectly suitable. Private will involve more comfortable, more aesthetic and more time consuming treatments if suitable or desired. NHS or private, if a tooth needs to come out, it needs to come out.

Please don't consider the term NHS interchangable with rubbish and private interchangable with overpriced. It depends on the dentist not on who pays.

OP it might be worth staying NHS but chosing some private options where a appropriate, particularly hygiene, tooth coloured crowns / fillings, anything cosmetic.

I think with private dentists you may be able to get white fillings while NHS treatment is limited to silver amalgam.

Dont think there is any difference in terms of service as normally dentists are the same carrying out the treatment on NHS or private as far as I have noticed.