NHS Vs Private Dentist

[CoraHarrison]

I went to my local private dentist a couple of months ago and they told me I needed a lot of work doing over £300 worth, I am 19 and at Uni and simply cant afford it, problem is things are getting worse...

Some of my friends suggested I try get on an NHS Dentist, whats the difference.

[jno]

NHS dental work has fixed rates.

http://www.nhs.uk/NHS...ages/Dentalcosts.aspx

[Nibble]

This seems to be a general scale of charges re NHS & private, http://www.dentalcent.../dentist-fees-nhs.php

As an alternative, do you live near a Dental teaching Hospital, i.e http://www.uhbristol....stol-dental-hospital/
but you should check http://www.nhs.uk/ser...es/ServiceSearch.aspx for available teaching hospitals in your area.

[VHG]

Dont always believe a dentist who says you need lots of work, try another one and see what they say.

After all the more work they can do the more they can charge.

[Maydup]

Everyone one of us are entitle to NHS dental care at the rates posted by jno

ie £17.50 for a checup, £48 for absic treatment and £209 for major treatment. This is capped and all treatment needed will be done for this max fee.

If you are finding it difficult to access an NHS dentist do a postcode search here. Otherwise check with uni as they may have partnered up with a local dentist who will take students on NHS basis.

http://www.nhs.uk/Ser...x?ServiceType=dentist

[Maydup]

Oh er, lots of typos sorry!

[EvianBaby]

It would probably be the same dentist who carries the NHS and private work. It certainly is in my case. Aside from the cost which has been explained above, the materials used for NHS patients are different to private. So for example if you need a filling the NHS option you would get a silver one instead of a white one. It depends how fussy you are about it really. My dentist lets me mix and match so I can chose some things to be done privately and all the stuff I'm not bothered about gets done through NHS.

[boxtops]

surely if you are a student, you can access the dentist via your Uni?

[ojread2]

If you are a student you may well be entitled to free treatment based on your income
http://www.nhs.uk/nhs...rescriptioncosts.aspx
"If you are on a low income you may be eligible to receive financial help through the NHS Low Income Scheme. To apply for an HC2 certificate, you should complete form HC1, which is available from Jobcentre Plus offices or most NHS hospitals. Your doctor, dentist or optician may be able to give you one, too. You can also get an HC1 form by calling 0845 610 1112."

Either way, and NHS dentist has a charge ceiling for many procedures

[tinkerbell23]

My nhs is free.

I did pay for a white filling with some money i had and the rest will be silver. Also free scale and polish as its required.... Same dentist and same session! X

[dinki]

I agree that you may get NHS free treatement if your a student, check it out, if not enrol with a nhs dentist or look out for a nearby dental hospital, they usually do not charge, but you will get trainee dentists work on you teeth but always supervised, might be another free option, it is never good having tooth pain, especially when studying.

Hope you find help soon.

[cathfromsaron]

NHS dentists are not FREE unless you are claiming benefits!

i go to a dentist that 'went private' and now pay into denplan! its great and i can see him as often as i like!