NHS or Private Dentist
Which should you choose?
Do you want the flexibility to be able to choose your clinician?
When choosing a dentist, it’s important to consider both the cost of your treatment and how long you’ll have to wait for an appointment.
Is it worth going to a Private Dentist?
What are the Pros / Cons of going to a Private Dentist?
Summary
Do you have to Pay More to see a Private Dentist?
If you need dental treatment, you might be weighing up the difference between NHS vs private care.
Whilst private care may be more expensive than an NHS course of treatment, the waiting times tend to
be shorter and you may find a greater selection of treatment options to choose from.
Below we’ll explore the key differences between NHS and private services, helping you to
make
an informed decision when it comes to the best way forward for yourself.
If you choose to have NHS dental treatment, you do not have the choice of which qualified dentist shall be treating you.
You shall be assigned a fully qualified dentist within the practice who shall look after you according to the availability of the clinicians. The dentists’ experiences vary in all dental practices, and often, the more experienced clinicians tend to carry out more advanced forms of treatment, often beyond the scope of the NHS.
If you’re looking for a long-term relationship with your Dentist who would offer a broader range of treatment options, private care may be the better option for you.
While private dentists are typically more expensive than NHS ones, many people find that the convenience and quality of their care makes them worthwhile.
However, if you’re looking to keep costs down as much as possible, NHS treatment may be the best option for you. This is because the NHS subsidises this type of dental treatment, helping to keep the costs down for patients.
Whether or not it is worth going to a private dentist is a personal choice, and it’s important that you weigh up the pros and cons of both private dental practices and NHS dental practices before making your choice.
If you’re looking for a dentist who can offer you a wide range of treatments, and you’re willing to pay a little extra for the convenience and quality of care on offer, then going to a private dentist may be the best option for you.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to keep your costs down as much as possible, then an NHS dentist may be a better choice.
There are both advantages and disadvantages of going to a private dentist.
Some of the main pros and cons are summarised below:
Pros
You’ll be able to choose from a wide range of treatments.
You won’t have to wait as long for an appointment.
The quality of care is often higher than that of NHS dentists.
Cons
Private dental treatment is typically more expensive than NHS treatment.
You may have to travel further to reach a private dentist.
Pros / Cons of NHS Dentists
There are both advantages and disadvantages of using an NHS dentist.
Some of the main pros and cons of choosing an NHS dental practice are summarised below:
Pros
You’ll be able to receive treatment at a lower cost than at a private dentist.
You’re likely to be able to find an NHS dentist in your local area.
Cons
You may have to wait longer for an appointment.
NHS dentists typically offer a narrower range of treatments than private ones.
Do You Get Better Treatment With A Private Dentist?
The quality of dental care you receive should be the same whether you visit an NHS or private dentist.
However, many people find that they get a better overall experience at a private dentist, as they’re able to offer a wider range of treatments and higher levels of customer service.
When deciding whether to visit an NHS or private dentist, it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of each option. If you’re looking for a wide range of treatments and convenience, then going to a private dentist may be the best choice for you. However, if you’re looking to keep your costs down, then using an NHS dentist may be the better option. Either way, you should always do your research and consult with a healthcare professional before making a final decision.
As you can see, there are some significant differences between NHS vs private dentist in terms of cost, range of treatments, and wait times for appointments. Ultimately, the choice between an NHS or private dentist is a personal one, and it will depend on your individual preferences and priorities which is the best option for you.
Do you want the flexibility to be able to choose your clinician?
If you choose to have NHS dental treatment, you do not have the choice of which qualified Dentist shall be treating you.
You shall be assigned a fully qualified dentist within the practice who shall look after you according to the availability of the clinicians. The dentists’ experiences vary in all dental practices, and often, the more experienced clinicians tend to carry out more advanced forms of treatment, often beyond the scope of the NHS.
If you’re looking for a long-term relationship with your Dentist who would offer a broader range of treatment options, private care may be the better option for you.
Is it better to go NHS or Private?
We at Smile 360 are a mixed practice offering both NHS and Private care to our patients. All the dentists who provide your care are fully qualified; however, we do have a range of dental experiences and expertise in various fields of dentistry. They all provide private and NHS treatments to a high standard.
There are many different factors that you’ll need to consider before you can make an informed choice for your dental treatment. Let’s take a look at some of the things you should consider when choosing a dental practice.
Do you mind waiting for Treatment?
One disadvantage of selecting NHS dentist care is that owing to the demand, waiting times for treatment can be quite long.
The NHS provides funding to dental practices across the country.
The size of the budget allocated to each practice varies considerably. How each surgery chooses to deliver NHS care is often dependent on the level of need within their locality, focusing on the overall delivery of care overlooking individual preferences, especially cosmetic care.
The demand for NHS treatment always outstrips its availability.
In contrast, for a private course of treatment, the arrangement for paying for the service is between the patient and the dental practice itself. This means both appointments and the variety of treatment options are far more flexible and tailored towards that individual.
Is cost important to you?
Finally, you’ll need to consider the cost of both NHS and private care.
A private course of treatment will tend to be more expensive than an NHS course.
Often, patients will have an NHS course of dental treatment,t which will additionally include certain procedures carried out on a private basis, especially where cosmetic work is required (which is not available on the NHS). This blended type of care is very popular.
Yes, you will typically have to pay more to see a private dentist than an NHS one. This is because private dentists don’t receive the same level of government funding as NHS practices.
How much more does it Cost
to see a Private Dentist?
The cost of seeing a private dentist can vary depending on the treatments you require and the location of the dentist’s practice. As a rough guide, you can expect to pay around 30-50% more than you would for an NHS treatment.
General
Patient Exam including all necessary X-rays
£40.00
Emergency Appointment (Plus cost of treatment)
£50.00
Silver (Non-cosmetic)
£60.00 - £120.00
White (Cosmetic)
£120.00 - £200.00
Root Canal Treatment
£250.00 - £400.00
Re-Root Canal Treatment
£400.00 - £800.00
Extraction of Tooth
£100.00 - £200.00
Extraction of Wisdom Tooth
£250.00 - £400.00
Inlays & Onlays
£400.00 - £600.00
Periodontal Assessment & Treatment
From £600.00
Antimicrobial Therapy of the Gums
From £200.00
Hygiene
Dental Hygiene (Per Session)
£75.00
Airflow (Stain Removal) & Hygiene
£105.00
Cosmetic
Teeth Whitening
£199.00 - £650.00
Veneers
From £550.00 - £800.00
Composite Bonding (Per Tooth)
From £200.00
Teeth Straightening
Invisalign (Per Arch)
£1,800.00 - £2,200.00
Dental Implants
Dental Implant & Crown (Per Tooth)
£1,900.00
Implant Retained Denture
P.O.A
Implant Retained Bridge
P.O.A
Facial Aesthetics
Chin Fat Dissolve (Per Application)
£300.00
General
Patient Exam including all necessary X-rays
£40.00
Emergency Appointment (Plus cost of treatment)
£50.00
Silver (Non-cosmetic)
£60.00 - £120.00
White (Cosmetic)
£120.00 - £200.00
Root Canal Treatment
£250.00 - £400.00
Re-Root Canal Treatment
£400.00 - £800.00
Extraction of Tooth
£100.00 - £200.00
Extraction of Wisdom Tooth
£250.00 - £400.00
Inlays & Onlays
£400.00 - £600.00
Periodontal Assessment & Treatment
From £600.00
Antimicrobial Therapy of the Gums
From £200.00
Hygiene
Dental Hygiene (Per Session)
£75.00
Airflow (Stain Removal) & Hygiene
£105.00
Cosmetic
Teeth Whitening
£199.00 - £650.00
Veneers
From £550.00 - £800.00
Composite Bonding (Per Tooth)
From £200.00
Teeth Straightening
Invisalign (Per Arch)
£1,800.00 - £2,200.00
Dental Implants
Dental Implant & Crown (Per Tooth)
£1,900.00
Implant Retained Denture
P.O.A
Implant Retained Bridge
P.O.A
Facial Aesthetics
Chin Fat Dissolve (Per Application)
£300.00
NHS Fees
Band 1
Covers an examination, diagnosis and advice. If necessary, it also includes X-rays, a scale and polish (if clinically needed), and planning for further treatment.
£26.80
Band 2
Covers all treatment included in Band 1, plus additional treatment, such as fillings, root canal treatment and removing teeth (extractions).
£73.50
Band 3
Covers all treatments included in Bands 1 and 2, plus more complex procedures, such as crowns, dentures and bridges.
£319.10
