Struggling To Find An NHS Dentist? Why Not Consider Going Private?

Posted on Posted in Advice

With potentially lengthy waits for an NHS appointment, private dentistry is an option to consider

You will almost certainly have read about, and may also have experienced, lengthy waits to see a dentist in a practice that offers NHS care. Covid is, of course, responsible for a lot of this but since the easing of restrictions, the problem doesn’t seem to have gone away, and some might say that it has become even worse. There are many possible reasons why this is the case but it is not our job to discuss these. What does concern us though is that a lot of patients are now going a long while between dental visits and some are even having to endure pain as they struggle to access NHS services for treatment.

In a world where we are connected with people on the other side of the world in split seconds and we can go to the moon and beyond, it shouldn’t be beyond reach to provide essential dental care to enable patients to have healthy teeth and gums. At Mike Allen’s Dental Practice in Burton upon Trent, we offer private dentistry which allows us to run an efficient practice, helping patients to access treatments when they need them.

What about the cost?

If you have been seeing an NHS dentist before the pandemic, you will have had access to a range of essential treatments at prices that have been subsidised by the government. Given the current financial situation, it may be that these subsidies won’t increase and the current problems may get worse for some time yet. We do understand that cost is a concern to patients who need treatment and are considering private treatment but there are two things that really are worth considering.

1 – Your health

This is the main factor, and delays in receiving treatment and even check ups can quite rapidly cause a deterioration in your oral health. Small areas of decay won’t be detected, or treated, allowing these to become more extensive and potentially causing a lot of pain too. Gum disease, which should be relatively straightforward to control by seeing a hygienist regularly could significantly advance too, leading to periodontal issues that could even lead to tooth loss. We appreciate that private dentistry is not as cheap as NHS care because it is not subsidised, but weighed against this is the long term health of your teeth and gums.

2 – Payment plans

Although you do have to pay the full amount for private dental care, we offer a range of payment plans that allow you to spread the cost of any treatment over a period of time, making it easier for you to manage your payments. We also offer a monthly Denplan membership which covers a range of treatments and more information can be found on their website – https://www.denplan.co.uk/ .

Essential dentistry

We offer essential dental care to enable you to have healthy teeth. Providing that you look after your teeth well, this should not be overly expensive and only the occasional routine treatment should be needed. You can be sure that our team will do all that they can to help you maintain a healthy mouth and provide any necessary treatment that you need. We are always here to help our Burton patients maintain healthy teeth and gums.

What else does private dentistry offer?

One thing that you won’t find in NHS dentistry is access to cosmetic dental treatments. Although these are mostly considered for aesthetic improvements to improve a smile, some treatments offer much more than that. An excellent example are dental implants which are used to replace missing teeth and provide a stronger and more stable alternative to dentures.

Other treatments provide a more practical way to achieve their aim. For example, you can have teeth braces on the NHS but these are quite traditional in that they use wires and brackets to move the teeth. This can trap food, potentially leading to tooth decay if you don’t clean your teeth really thoroughly, plus they are also visible to those around you. By using private dental care, you can have access to a range of orthodontic treatments that offer a comfortable and practical way of straightening your teeth, even allowing you to remove your braces when you are eating. Spinach stuck in your braces can become a thing of the past. There are also ‘near invisible’ teeth aligner options such as Invisalign to consider.

Perhaps the most popular cosmetic treatment though, is teeth whitening. This fast acting and effective treatment can give your smile a real boost in just a short period of time.

We know that change can sometimes be challenging and, especially in financially tricky times, you might wish to stay with the NHS for dental care. If you do though, you may have to endure lengthy waits for treatment and even check ups. Rather than risk the health of your teeth and gums, why not consider booking yourself in to see one of the dentists at our Burton practice? They will also be able to offer you advice on appropriate payment plans and Denplan memberships.

To make an appointment at Mike Allen’s Dental Practice, you can call us on 01283 845345.