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Original poster

NHS v Private dentistry.

23 replies

Houseplanter · 18/12/2023 08:46

I have been in the fortunate position of having an nhs dentist (I thought, anyway) but am increasingly disappointed and wondered what others thought.

I have been with this one for about 8 years, always had regular checks. In that time I've had no normal filings, but 2 root canals. He's now telling me I need to have 2 teeth removed as they are both currently crowned, which have failed, and the teeth are now beyond repair.

I feel like he's only doing anything once it becomes drastic... no maintenance. I have a clean and polish that takes him maybe 2 or 3 minutes.

Would I be better going privately? Would I have a better chance of keeping my teeth longer? I'm starting to be frightened of losing them. Could I expect more from a private dentist, or would he just confirm my teeth are rubbish.

Please advise.

OP posts:

MagpiePi · 18/12/2023 08:56

You would get much better treatment with a private dentist, but obviously you have to pay. I’m was on Denplan where you pay monthly and it includes 6 monthly check ups, x-rays, hygienist appointments, white fillings and the standard things like that, but you pay extra for root canals, crowns etc. You get good long appointments - none of that going back to the waiting room while an injection kicks in and the dentist sees another patient.
I wouldn’t go back to the NHS.
A friend who’s DH is a dentist says they can’t make any money from nhs patients which is why everything is rushed and to the minimum standards. Yet another shit show from this government.

Edited to add: my dentist will do everything he can to save teeth, but he has the time and resources to do maintenance work. I do find that having to pay is an incentive to keep up my own brushing and flossing! The amount you pay monthly does depend on the condition of your teeth. I’ve got crappy teeth from previous poor nhs treatments so it ended up cheaper to pay the private fees rather than being in denplan. A standard check up is £98, but I was up to nearly £50 a month on the plan. My now grown up kids pay about £12 a month.

letstrythatagain · 18/12/2023 09:01

We went private around 2 years ago and honestly it makes a huge difference. The main thing I notice is the quality of the maintenance care. We get 4 check ups a year and it's very thorough. I find there there are very few bigger treatments needed now due to how regular it is.

Downside obviously is having to pay but it's worth every penny. Now have all five of us on the private plan.

Original poster

Houseplanter · 18/12/2023 09:02

@MagpiePi thankyou for replying.

I have some of my retirement lump sum I could use to sort out the mess I feel I'm in (ironically from an nhs pension). I just feel they're deteriorating at an alarming rate.

Do you have any idea how to choose one?

OP posts:

merrymerrychristmasall · 18/12/2023 09:05

Make sure that you have personal local recommendations- we have always gone private and some of them are always “planning more work” - some seem to consistently find unnecessary work that needs doing. What needs doing is often a matter of personal opinion but they make the money off of the work so it seems to come up maybe more than it needs to sometimes.

Divebar2021 · 18/12/2023 09:08

I must say I haven’t experienced any poor treatment from my NHS dentist and I’ve had a fair bit of work done. ( including an extraction in hospital) I’ve never been sent to the waiting room to wait for example. I did have an appointment with a private dentist for a discussion about a possible implant and I was in there less than ten minutes to be told they couldn’t do it. Cost me £100. Obviously if my dentist stopped seeing NHS patients I would go on a plan but I wouldn’t move unnecessarily.

MagpiePi · 18/12/2023 09:10

I just went with a practice that was nearby. They generally show the prices online and will say if they do payment plans and what’s included. I think they will all be about the same if they are in the same geographical area.

You could look at Westplan (?) where you pay monthly and can claim money back.

Divebar2021 · 18/12/2023 09:11

My DD has also been recently fitted for braces - we had about a 3 or 4 month wait to see the orthodontist.( who also do private work) All her treatment has been free.

Mornusting · 18/12/2023 09:14

He's now telling me I need to have 2 teeth removed as they are both currently crowned, which have failed, and the teeth are now beyond repair.

Are they causing you pain? Do you have a clear idea of what the issue is? You could go for a second opinion to a private dentist but be prepared to pay out for it all. I've just had a root canal done privately 950 pounds and the crown was 650.

FeetupTvon · 18/12/2023 09:16

Make an appointment privately with another dentist and see what they say.

MagpiePi · 18/12/2023 09:17

merrymerrychristmasall · 18/12/2023 09:05

I haven’t found that in my experience. I’ve always been able to talk through all the options without pressure to have things done other than to give the best outcome for my teeth. Teeth whitening and more cosmetic care treatments have been mentioned, but there wasn’t any kind of hard sell and it was easy to say no.

Whitecup24 · 18/12/2023 09:22

It’s a massive difference - the pace, the care, the relationship I love my private dentist!! We get time to chat so we have built up a great relationship and my dentist anxiety has disappeared because she’s very skilled and takes her time with the injections and talks me through things. NHS was like being butchered at speed. I pay on plan too like others said I think £25 a month and that includes the children’s check ups and my check ups and hygienist. Like you I want to keep my teeth as long as possible and it’s an investment worth making for me.

merrymerrychristmasall · 18/12/2023 09:36

MagpiePi · 18/12/2023 09:17

Show quote history

It isn’t a hard sell. It is “this tooth needs xyz done” and the explanation. Geo are we to know the necessity of the work unless we get a second opinion? I’ve never had any pressure at all for cosmetic work, have similarly been given prices if I asked but it’s the root canals and crowns that are somewhat subjective.

It’s great that you haven’t had similar experience. Not all private dentistry is the same. We are now happy with the dentist that we have.

mrandmrsrobinson · 18/12/2023 13:31

I've had root canals through crowns with a private dentist.
Something my NHS dentist wouldn't do and wanted to remove the teeth and replace with dentures.
The procedure is specialist and costly. £1500 in my case.

MagpiePi · 18/12/2023 14:20

The trouble is, dentists aren’t paid enough by the nhs to cover the costs of many specialist treatments which is why they won’t offer them unless you pay privately.

worldwidetravel2017 · 19/12/2023 14:20

Im very happy with my private dentist and hygieniest
25 gbp a.month

Original poster

Houseplanter · 19/12/2023 20:48

Thank you for the responses, I really appreciate it.

In the new year I will find a private dentist and invest some of my pension in my teeth. I am very fortunate to be able to afford private care; my whole working life was in the nhs and it really saddens me to have to pay privately.

OP posts:

XenoBitch · 20/12/2023 00:36

Private does not always mean better. Like most things in life, they can vary hugely from one to the other.

I used to have an amazing private dentist. Very patient and compassionate. Would explain everything. They were purely private and did not touch NHS at all.

Then I had an NHS one. I had very serious issues not explained or treated (but she told the nurse). I was on UC then, and I am convinced I was treated badly as they would not get paid to see me.

Then I had a private one again (mixed with NHS but no space on their list for me)... who was the same as my previous NHS experience. Awful experience with them, and I paid £150 to have a basic extraction.

Mornusting · 20/12/2023 10:41

150 is cheap for a private dentist.

thecrispfiend · 20/12/2023 11:28

I wouldn't give up your space at the nhs dentist but you could always get a consultation and any extra treatments at a private dentist. I did this - got my teeth whitened and veneer on front tooth (to replace nhs filling) at a private dentist but kept up with check ups with my nhs dentist and just see the nhs one now. I would do this again if i felt I needed any sort of specialist treatment. It's a shame but that's the way it is now I think the days of nhs dentistry are numbered as it's so underfunded.

XenoBitch · 20/12/2023 14:21

Mornusting · 20/12/2023 10:41

150 is cheap for a private dentist.

For a basic extraction? That took about 10 seconds? And their website said it was from £85. The £150 was for surgical removal (which it wasn't).

Mornusting · 20/12/2023 14:27

It's cheap compared to the dentists I know.

Original poster

Houseplanter · 19/01/2024 19:08

Just thought I'd come back and update...

I saw a private dentist this week. It was a much calmer and less rushed experience. He had time to explain his findings (not as bad as I feared) and explained all my options with no hard sell.

I am somewhat reassured I may keep my teeth a bit longer than I feared, and I have a treatment plan.

Very much worth it. Thank you to all who offered advice and reassurance.

OP posts:

Mornusting · 19/01/2024 19:35

Good news @Houseplanter !

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