My choice is to be an NHS patient with a dentist who can offer private treatment the NHS don't provide, should you wish to pay for it. (I'm unsure how many visits a year you need to do in order for the petrol consumption to be a large issue in the decision.) I did think of getting a dentist nearer my home a few months back, but all the ones I found were private and the costs, when you checked their website, were horrendous. I like to think I give health a high priority but at some level one can't help thinking one is being taken advantage of. I appreciate the job is a responsible one and they are always looking down in the mouth, but I did feel there ought to be a reasonable differential between me and other professionals, not a massive chasm.