UK Dentist

[Mrsbluesk1]

I'm just wondering how do people afford the dentist? I haven't been for a year, and my dentist asked me why, and I said I just couldn't afford it.

I'm at a private dentist as the NHS dentists in my area don't accept new patients since I moved here 6 years ago.

Was seen for 5 minutes, had 2 x-rays done and charged £150.00
Seeing the hygienist in 3 weeks, and that will be another £120.

I want my teeth to be cared for, but this just depressed me so much today.

I use insurance that's £20 a month and I get two examinations and cleaning a year.

I'd enquire if they have Denplan or another insurance scheme because that seems like an obscene amount for what you are getting.

Im with a bupa dentist and pay mo where near that. Its about £75 for a check up including a few xrays if needed and a basic cleaning. Yes if you need an i tensive vlean or periodontal then its more but I think thats a fair price.

However I have to be sedated for any work which costs a minimum of £300 (usually in range of £4-600).

As for affording it, I prioritise anything medical, I don’t drink smoke or go on lavish holidays or beauty type stuff.

In my experience a private dentist charging you £150 should be seeing you for more than 5 minutes. 5 mins is an NHS-style slot.
I agree with Icannotbudget that dental issues should have a higher priority than hairdresser/cosmetic/nail stuff/the latest fashion. Perhaps the Government should make this clearer and pay private dentists directly to see children and those on low incomes; and others should pay their own way as now really. NHS dentistry has died because dentists don't like the terms of the NHS contract.

I have private healthcare at work which also includes dental cover. I have to pay 20% of the bill and they'll cover the rest up to £400 per year.
It only cost me £60 for a crown rather than the usual £300+.
I couldn't afford to get proper treatment without it I don't think.

Agree with you, other than adding that anyone who has had chemotherapy or is on hormone therapy or bisphosphonates after cancer treatment should also get private dental treatment for free. Especially in the case of bisphosphonates where you’re at risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw, which cannot be cured.

Anyone up for starting a campaign to actually try and get this done?

I definitely prioritise my oral health over anything else. But also usually prioritise my kids over my own. We don't have expensive holidays and I've never wanted to own anything designer/branded.

Just found it a little shocking that they use cost of living crisis to inflate their cost so much. A check up a year or so ago was £56.

I will look into a dental care plan or insurance at my work.

Dental inflation is actually a lot higher than the cost of living inflation . Eg just a bottle of the glue used to cement fillings in was £90 last year, is £120 this year. One of the indemnity companies (malpractice insurance ) has raised its prices by around 15% this year. Business utilities are not subject to price caps like domestic utilities and have gone up 35%. This has affected NHS dentists who cannot afford to stay in practice but it also affects private dentists who have to raise prices to stay in business. https://bda.org/news-centre/latest-news-articles/Pages/NHS-Dentists-demand-lifeline-as-dental-inflation-soars.aspx#:~:text=22%20July%202022,according%20to%20our%20new%20analysis.

£60 for a crown ?!!

Yes because with certain dental plans you only pay lab bills , although £60 is an incredibly cheap lab bill, I suspect it was some time ago . Most private crown lab bills will start £130 and go up to £1500 for very high end work.

Jaysus. Lucky you. No dental plan with my job.