What should I be paying for white filling, UK?
Discussion
SIMON67 said:
Just gone private after 50 odd years NHS. Check up with X rays and 3d scan was £150. Good value imo as this took 1 hour. 1 large filling £170. One medium £130 both in white composite. Hygienist was £85.
Fantastic service and care. If I can afford it, I'll not be going back to NHS (If I could find one!)
What is the service and care improvement over an NHS dentist? They are the same dentist in the same practice and using the same equipment (mostly, I know they have some private-only kit for doing root canals). The only benefit i can see in using private is for treatments that aren't covered by the NHS (i.e. white fillings). It's not even quicker to go private - the wait for my replacement filling is still two months.Fantastic service and care. If I can afford it, I'll not be going back to NHS (If I could find one!)
boyse7en said:
What is the service and care improvement over an NHS dentist? They are the same dentist in the same practice and using the same equipment (mostly, I know they have some private-only kit for doing root canals). The only benefit i can see in using private is for treatments that aren't covered by the NHS (i.e. white fillings). It's not even quicker to go private - the wait for my replacement filling is still two months.
In our area, it is all but impossible to get an NHS appointment, emergency or not. I actually ended up with early sepsis while waiting for an appointment, which pushed me to go private. The surgery is the same, just slowly winding down their NHS services, basically just covering children only. I have noticed that private isn't quite so rushed, although I would rather they just got on with it sometimes !
Freakuk said:
I pay around £15/month for a private dentist. I get 3 checkups/hygienist per year and yearly X-rays included in that. It includes 10% off any treatments also.
Had a filling last year for around £120 I think.
That is good. I pay £17/ month for 2 check ups and hygienist visits. There is a 10% discount on other treatments, but a filling is £225 (with discount).Had a filling last year for around £120 I think.
Wow. I'm amazed at the prices being quoted on this thread.
I've just come back from Turkey, working with a friend on his place out there. I had had a bit of dental pain in the last few months so went to see a highly recommended dentist out there. A couple of x-rays later and I was told that I needed a filling replacing, an extraction and a scale and polish. All done over a period of a week or so, total cost around £170.
I know that 'Turkey Teeth' dentists have a bad reputation but this place looked for all the world like a UK dental surgery (kit, cleanliness, professionalism all up at UK standards), dentist and nurse both trained in Istanbul, other patients were Turkish professionals (doctor and architect according to the two I spoke with). The only apparent difference between this place and my usual dentist in London was the clientele and the prices.
I've just come back from Turkey, working with a friend on his place out there. I had had a bit of dental pain in the last few months so went to see a highly recommended dentist out there. A couple of x-rays later and I was told that I needed a filling replacing, an extraction and a scale and polish. All done over a period of a week or so, total cost around £170.
I know that 'Turkey Teeth' dentists have a bad reputation but this place looked for all the world like a UK dental surgery (kit, cleanliness, professionalism all up at UK standards), dentist and nurse both trained in Istanbul, other patients were Turkish professionals (doctor and architect according to the two I spoke with). The only apparent difference between this place and my usual dentist in London was the clientele and the prices.
The best dentists don't rush through patients and the top ones wouldn't even consider doing NHS work.
You do, mostly, get what you pay for. I spend a lot of time around dentists, in particular endodontists, it's no surprise that the better private ones who charge more have the best kit and do the most up to date training.
You do, mostly, get what you pay for. I spend a lot of time around dentists, in particular endodontists, it's no surprise that the better private ones who charge more have the best kit and do the most up to date training.
I recently had a filling, had an hour slot, involved 2 highly skilled professionals and expensive rent, and how on earth that could be done for 100 quid I've no idea.
I know from experience dentists overseas are often better trained, have better kit, and are cheaper. But that doesn't really help if you are settled in the UK and want some reassurance with follow up and accountability
My experiences with NHS dentists has been poor, as I seem to get given junior dentists, who half the time have to get a senior dentist to take over. Ended up needing frequent replacements, hard to know if coincidence or not, but it leaves a bad taste
For an extra hundred quid I get an hour long slot. a dentist I know and trust, some time either side of the filling to discuss my general dental health in the context of my history.
nhs puts out fires and does an important job, but if you have the money, and have had bad experiences in the past 100 quid extra for some one to perform what is not far off minor surgery, is something I am not ever going to skimp on again
I know from experience dentists overseas are often better trained, have better kit, and are cheaper. But that doesn't really help if you are settled in the UK and want some reassurance with follow up and accountability
My experiences with NHS dentists has been poor, as I seem to get given junior dentists, who half the time have to get a senior dentist to take over. Ended up needing frequent replacements, hard to know if coincidence or not, but it leaves a bad taste
For an extra hundred quid I get an hour long slot. a dentist I know and trust, some time either side of the filling to discuss my general dental health in the context of my history.
nhs puts out fires and does an important job, but if you have the money, and have had bad experiences in the past 100 quid extra for some one to perform what is not far off minor surgery, is something I am not ever going to skimp on again
2Btoo said:
Wow. I'm amazed at the prices being quoted on this thread.
I've just come back from Turkey, working with a friend on his place out there. I had had a bit of dental pain in the last few months so went to see a highly recommended dentist out there. A couple of x-rays later and I was told that I needed a filling replacing, an extraction and a scale and polish. All done over a period of a week or so, total cost around £170.
65euro for a white filling in spain is the normI've just come back from Turkey, working with a friend on his place out there. I had had a bit of dental pain in the last few months so went to see a highly recommended dentist out there. A couple of x-rays later and I was told that I needed a filling replacing, an extraction and a scale and polish. All done over a period of a week or so, total cost around £170.
I must be extremely lucky as my NHS dentist is superb. I have a 6 monthly check up, never rushed, he generally does a clean and charges about £40 for the inspection and clean. If a filling is needed, done there and then, white filling no matter where in the mouth and the last one was £70. Last year he suggested a deep clean of the gumline etc. Made an appointment for a month ahead, deep clean and all was well - £100 for the treatment.
One thing I do notice while in the waiting room: the receptionist answers a continuous stream of calls asking for NHS registration. The stock answer is: I can put you on the waiting list, but currently that stands at two years.
One thing I do notice while in the waiting room: the receptionist answers a continuous stream of calls asking for NHS registration. The stock answer is: I can put you on the waiting list, but currently that stands at two years.
C70GT said:
I must be extremely lucky as my NHS dentist is superb. I have a 6 monthly check up, never rushed, he generally does a clean and charges about £40 for the inspection and clean. If a filling is needed, done there and then, white filling no matter where in the mouth and the last one was £70. Last year he suggested a deep clean of the gumline etc. Made an appointment for a month ahead, deep clean and all was well - £100 for the treatment.
I had a NHS dentist like that. And then he retired 
lizardbrain said:
I recently had a filling, had an hour slot, involved 2 highly skilled professionals and expensive rent, and how on earth that could be done for 100 quid I've no idea.
I know from experience dentists overseas are often better trained, have better kit, and are cheaper. But that doesn't really help if you are settled in the UK and want some reassurance with follow up and accountability
My experiences with NHS dentists has been poor, as I seem to get given junior dentists, who half the time have to get a senior dentist to take over. Ended up needing frequent replacements, hard to know if coincidence or not, but it leaves a bad taste
For an extra hundred quid I get an hour long slot. a dentist I know and trust, some time either side of the filling to discuss my general dental health in the context of my history.
nhs puts out fires and does an important job, but if you have the money, and have had bad experiences in the past 100 quid extra for some one to perform what is not far off minor surgery, is something I am not ever going to skimp on again
Absolutely spot onI know from experience dentists overseas are often better trained, have better kit, and are cheaper. But that doesn't really help if you are settled in the UK and want some reassurance with follow up and accountability
My experiences with NHS dentists has been poor, as I seem to get given junior dentists, who half the time have to get a senior dentist to take over. Ended up needing frequent replacements, hard to know if coincidence or not, but it leaves a bad taste
For an extra hundred quid I get an hour long slot. a dentist I know and trust, some time either side of the filling to discuss my general dental health in the context of my history.
nhs puts out fires and does an important job, but if you have the money, and have had bad experiences in the past 100 quid extra for some one to perform what is not far off minor surgery, is something I am not ever going to skimp on again
boyse7en said:
What is the service and care improvement over an NHS dentist? They are the same dentist in the same practice and using the same equipment (mostly, I know they have some private-only kit for doing root canals). The only benefit i can see in using private is for treatments that aren't covered by the NHS (i.e. white fillings). It's not even quicker to go private - the wait for my replacement filling is still two months.
My experience has been chalk and cheese. NHS - tatty surgery, different dentist each visit, quick in and out, questionable treatment decisions. Private - lovely surgery, seen by the owner each visit, lots of time for the appointment and a feeling that I'm getting the best advice and care. Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff