General Chat

Hi I have always hated the Dentist and I have had about 4 different ones. Anyway Just before last xmas I needed the Dentist but cause I hadnt been for a couple of years they couldnt take me. So I found one through the National health helpline, and he is the bestest in the world. I dont mind going now, right now he is making me a new tooth as a bridge. anyway I recieved a letter yesterday to say they were going private, they would finish of my treatment, but after that I either go private or search elsewhere. What I would like to know is how much is it to go Private. With National health a filling is about £11 does anyone know how much it would be private? They did also send me aleaflet about taking out Denplan which costs £17.00 a month. As we are in the middle of moving we need to cut back on the pennies. So please can anybody advise me on the best action to take. Private, Denplan or National Health(that is if I find one, and what if I dont like them) Thanks for reading Debbie

Thanks Linda That sounds a bit too much for me, I know my Bridge under national health is going to cost about £100 but I bet it would cost loads more private. Thanks Debbie

DONT talk to me about dentists, luckily we still have an NHS one but one of my daughters has just moved up to Cumbria. Lord alone knows what you poor folk up there do for a dentist if you have no money. She had started some treatment with ours but he could not complete before she moved away. S**ds Law she had trouble with the tooth. NHS helpline were a dead loss so I went on line and found a list of about 20 listed for the whole County - eventually I found one who would see her - they patched up her tooth but she had to take 4 days leave and come home, back to the South Coast to have the damn thing fixed - treatment STILL not complete so has to come home AGAIN. To do a root canal and cap the tooth they were quoting between £300.00 and £350.00 for Private treatment. I have been told that less than 2% of the 40 million pound NHS budget is given over to detistry - the poor souls say they are'nt being paid enough - well mine does some and some and he's doing very nicely thankyou ! Sue - angry in Sussex.

I dont blame you for being angry, that is awful. Basicaly someone like me that have had a lot of fillings in the past, and when I was 8 I had an extraction with gas and ended up in Hospital for two weeks because I wouldnt eat. So through the years I have been reluctant to visit them and that is why my teeth are not brilliant. But Just as I find a new one that I love and dont mind going they take it away. So I might not visit them again for years as I cannot afford private. So I am going to end up with all my teeth falling out because of the stupid money grabbing whatsits.

Thanks for that Dorothy I will have to have a little look around to see the best one to take up. Debbie

I've calmed down now - I think I'd go for a health plan. If you don't and can't find an NHS dentist that you trust your only hope is emergency treatment at your local hospital - and thats all you get, emergency treatment !. Might be an idea to have a look on-line first, see what turns up. Ring round a few who are still offering NHS treatment and sound them out, might be worth a go even if you have to travel a bit. Have to admit I'm realy brave about going to the dentist; I'm perfectly fine till I get in that darn reclining chair - then it's white knuckles, wet knickers and my poor old dentist trying to prise my jaws open.... Sue ~:0)

I've just been to the dentist today, ours has been private for years. He charges about £20 for a checkup, £27 for hygienist but I think charges can vary depending on place (as per vets' charges). As for fillings etc. the sky's the limit, depending on how 'high-tech' you want to go, but a 'normal' one I guess is around £80.

i live in malta where its all private but have a great dentist and am really scared so i would pay him whatever cause dont want to go elsewhere so i suggest the plan find the monthly cash somehow then you can stay with him

Thanks for all your help and replies. I am going to have to have a word with the dentist I think. As my feelings have a tendency to keep falling out then it might have to be Denplan proberly the best option. Trouble is I love the hard boiled sweets and pork crackling that is really hard. Thanks to all. Debbie

My NHS dentist is happy to do little jobs like fillings on the NHS but for crowns etc he wants you to go private eg gold crowns £290.00 and a replacement front tooth £400.00. Why did we pay NI. I am a pensioner and I still have to pay He did say that Denplan ws an expensive way of going about it brenda

In their defense some treatment is not available on the NHS.... for instance.... root canal's are but the crown to cover the root isn't.... hence the price... daft but true.

I haven't been to the dentist for about 6 years!!! becx

im not going to go to the dentists anymore...i had my brace for 5 yrs, then whe i had it taken off i was supposed to wear a removable one, but i hated it so i didnt!!! xxx

Me too!!! I had a head brace too, now that was attractive!

im NHS at the mo but am thinking of going private, my friend is private,he has the best of the best, my fillings look cheap compared to his, sure they use different ones, my friend has just had 4 screw in teeth done, each one costing £2500 each, wow, i aint got that kind of money,LOL. most dentist have gone private, as its more money for them, which im sure if we did that job we'd do the same. catch 22 as always.

I will only go to the dentist when in severe pain - this is usually when hubby drags me there I joke not . Anyway a filling fell out and a year later more than half my tooth gone - I went and had root canal with gas and one other filling NHS - £97 that was in County Down NI and 2 years ago. I now have a cracked tooth - no pain yet , more afraid of the dentist even though it was OK last time - silly aren't I but I will be rolling around the floor in pain before I go!! Much happiness Debi

Having been terrified of the dentist all my life my daughter found my present dentist and he is wonderful. I pay £17 a month going up to £18 in January. I have two visits a year and two hygenist vists. Earlier this year I had terrible toothache, he met me in the surgery 9am Saturday morning . I eventually had to have a crown after a lot of treatment. I feel I am in pocket this year

Have you looked at HSA - there are different price levels. The more you pay, the more you get back so to speak. Not only does it cover dentists, but opticians, chiropodists, and other things. Each having a set amount per year to claim. Try asking at work, if they have something similiar - I know some firms do. Also - a lot of the big teaching hospitals, have Dental schools, where you might be able to get in and get treatment, done by students - who are near the end of training, watched by a trained dentist. Some hospital also have emergency dental clincs - out of hours - that might help. Liz

Boots Dental Care was brilliant. I have had one of the most careful and kind dentists I've ever had, and good reasonably priced treatment. Sadly they are closing all their dental and chiropody practices from Dec. 31st. Rosemary(Essex)

Thanks for all the replies. Im glad I am not the only one that is scared of the nasty people. Liz I dont think I would want students messing around in my mouth. I wouldnt mind being a hairdressing model though.