Is It Better to Go Private or NHS?

Finding the right dentist can be a difficult thing, especially when you have to choose whether to use the NHS or go private.

Recent research has revealed that 6 in 10 people across England feel pressurised to go private, because over 2,000 dentists have quit the NHS work in a year, leaving 4 million patients without access to NHS care. Currently, the NHS is underfunded and overstretched, which is sadly resulting in many dentists leaving the institution to work in private dentistry instead.

In this article, we will answer the question ‘is it better to go private or NHS?’

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

An NHS dentist refers to dentistry which is available on the NHS, as it has been subsidised by the Government. 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 9am to 5pm, or the equipment used will be cheaper.

There are patients 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 and usually have more expensive technology and equipment. For instance, a private dental practice will offer cosmetic work, which are unavailable on the NHS.

Moreover, a private dental practice may choose not to take any NHS patients, and instead, have private patients registered who pay fees for appointments and treatments.

Is it better to go private or NHS?

There is nothing wrong with receiving dental care from the NHS.

But because NHS dental practice have a fixed budget to work with, which is provided by the Government, this means that there are high targets for the dentists to meet.

This creates intense pressure for dental practices, especially if they are already struggling to deliver, due to the high volume of patients. Consequently, this usually means that NHS dentists have longer waiting times, reduced opening hours and less availability of treatments.

We at Didsbury Dental Practice are of the firm conviction that committing to a private dentist will have long-term benefits for every patient’s oral health and overall health and well-being.

Yes, private dentists are more expensive than NHS dental practices. This is an unavoidable fact. However, the extra cost can be justified, due to the multitude of benefits that private dentistry offers:

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 helpful 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, Invisalignor teeth whitening).
Access to treatments that are not available at certain NHS dental practices (like veneers and dental implants).
Is It Better to Go Private or NHS
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 scanners to custom-make retainers for a patient’s mouth.)
You can build a better rapport with your dentist, 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 far better.
Quicker times for items to be returned from a private laboratory.
Private dentists are usually independently owned, so you will be supporting a local business.

So, is it better to go private or NHS?

Well, as you can see, there is a very long list of reasons why private dentistry is a great investment for your oral health and peace of mind.

You won’t have to worry about waiting months for an appointment, or being rushed out of the dentist’s chair due to a large crowd of people waiting to be seen next. You will also be able to access a wider variety of dental work, such as veneers and Invisalign.

Now you know what the benefits of going to a private dentist are, if you are based in the Greater Manchester area, then why not register with Didsbury Dental Practice, and start your journey with us today?

You will receive excellent, compassionate care from our highly experienced team of professionals. We offer flexible opening hours, a wide variety of dental treatments and cosmetic dentistry and a first-class emergency dental care service.

Click here to book your first consultation with us today.

Why is the UK facing a dental crisis?

There is a shortage of dentists, a shortage of NHS dental practices, and a shortage of funding for them.

In fact, the British Dental Association estimates that it would take an additional £880 million a year, simply to restore funding to 2010 levels.

Additionally, there are long waiting lists for new patients to join a dental practice, so people are being turned away, which is leaving tens of thousands of adults and children with no access to dental care. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem, as it has delayed dental treatments and placed enormous pressure on emergency services.

All of these issues mean that people are not getting the help and care they need, especially if they are suffering from a tooth problem such as gingivitis.

Emergency dental care at Didsbury Dental Practice

At Didsbury Dental Practice, our emergency dental care is second to none.

Our emergency dental care service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including on Bank Holidays and Christmas Day.

Our team of dental professionals can provide treatment for any type of dental emergency: from severe toothache and tooth infections to broken teeth, lost fillings or gum inflammation.

Didsbury Dental Practice has got you covered, at any time of day or night. Dental emergencies can be very painful, so we offer out-of-hours treatment because we know that dental problems don’t always stick to 9.00 am to 12.00 am.

To book an emergency appointment with us, it is not necessary for you to be an existing patient at our practice.

If you experience a dental emergency, simply call our dental emergency helpline on 0161 413 2509, or walk into our dental practice, and we will aim to see you as soon as possible.

We also offer compassionate dental care for nervous patients, because we understand that dentist appointments can bring on feelings of anxiety. Click here to learn more about our services for nervous patients.

Click here to learn more about the emergency dental care offered at Didsbury Dental Practice.

About Didsbury Dental Practice

We are a 24-hour emergency dentist in South Manchester. Our team is highly experienced, and we deliver a level of patient comfort like no other dental practice. Every patient is treated with the most sophisticated care and the best customised treatment in a truly relaxed atmosphere.

In addition, all of our staff are multi-lingual. Languages spoken at our dental practice include German, French, Polish, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi.

If you need an emergency appointment, call our dental emergency helpline on 0161 413 2835, or walk into our practice and we will aim to see you as soon as possible.

We offer a wide range of dental services and treatments, including teeth whitening, Invisalign, Alias lingual braces, Six Month Smiles Braces and Damon Clear Braces.

To learn more about Didsbury Dental Practice, visit our website here.

Check out our blog to read more articles on all things dental health.

We hope you now have the answer to the question ‘is it better to go private or NHS?’