Are Private Dentists Worth It in the UK?

In the UK, there is always a debate as to whether or not NHS dentists or private dentists are better. Private dentistry is worth £4.6 billion in the UK, while the NHS dentistry spend is £3.7 billion.

There is a common misconception that private dentists are overly expensive and less accessible for patients, but in actual fact, private dentists can be very affordable and convenient.

In this blog article, we will explain our perspective on the question ‘are private dentists worth it in the UK?’ and discuss the answers to related questions on this topic.

To learn more about dentists (private and NHS), click here to read our blog articles on:

• What is an out-of-hours dentist?
• Are dental emergencies covered by the NHS?
• Why are dentists not seeing NHS patients?
• Best private dentist in Manchester
• How much is an emergency dentist?
• Is there a shortage of dentists in the UK?
• Top 5 private dentists in Manchester
• How to get an emergency dentist appointment

What is the difference between a private dentist and an NHS dentist?

An NHS dentist refers to dentistry which is available on the NHS. Every NHS dental practice is given a fixed NHS budget, which usually comes with limitations. For example, the NHS dental practice may only operate from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.

There are people who are entitled to free NHS dental treatment, such as people under 18, people being treated in an NHS hospital, pregnant women, and people on low-income benefits.

At NHS dentists, you have to pay for certain treatments, such as emergency dental treatment. However, there are treatments available which are free of charge, such as having your stitches removed or if your dentures need repairing.

Whereas, at private dentists, patients have to pay privately for any dental treatment they undergo. Private dentists do not work on a fixed budget, so they offer a wider selection of treatments, such as cosmetic work, which are unavailable on the NHS.

Are private dentists worth it in the UK?

So, are private dentists worth it in the UK? We at Didsbury Dental Practice believe that committing to a private dentist will have long-term benefits for every patient’s oral health and overall health and well-being.

There is a multitude of benefits to using a private dentist:

• Shorter waiting times for an appointment.
• Greater flexibility for appointment times (e.g. during evenings, weekends, and outside of 9-5 office hours.)
• Greater flexibility for emergency treatment.
• Private dentists can generally offer more time with patients, which is beneficial for treating immediate problems and preventing any future issues.
• Better quality of care, as there are no funding restrictions.
• More treatment options (e.g. orthodontic work, Invisalign or teeth whitening).
• Access to treatments that are not available at certain NHS dental practices (like veneers and dental implants).
• Wider access to dental specialists (such as orthodontists, periodontists and endodontists.)
• More services are available for nervous patients (e.g. sedation).
• Better customer service and more individualised attention for patients, as there are fewer patients registered than an NHS dental practice would have.
• A wider range of cosmetic treatments is available (such as lip fillers, which are not available on the NHS).
• Many private dentists offer payment plans and finance options, which allow you to spread the cost of dental treatments.
• A more relaxed waiting room atmosphere, as private dentists are less likely to be in a rush.
• Quicker solution for minor inconveniences (such as losing or breaking your dentures).
• Better aftercare, as a private dentist, can offer you more in-depth, tailored advice.
• More access to cutting-edge, advanced dental technology and equipment (e.g. 3D scanning to custom-make retainers for a patient’s mouth.)
• You can build a better rapport with your dentist or orthodontist, as you can see the same one each time, and they have fewer patients to treat. This is really advantageous, as they can get to know your individual needs much better.
• Quicker times for items to be returned from a private laboratory.
• Private dentists are usually independently owned, which means you will be supporting a local business.