How does dental treatment in the UK work?
Posted by Just-Mixture-4370@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 34 comments
I am living in the Uk for the first time (non british passport), and i believe i need some dental work done (potentially a root canal) and i was wondering what would be the best way for me to go about it?
Cost is a factor and id like to get it done under NHS if possible but ive heard that mostly dentists dont do it under NHS so im not sure how to go about it.
Looking for options in central london
Far_Sun3661@reddit
i do it in turkey actually and i payed for all in 4 7500 euro
AndrewHinds67@reddit
I fail to understand why I get two down votes for saying that I don't remember paying for my dental treatment because I was not lying.
AndrewHinds67@reddit
You have no chance of getting it done on the NHS. Even I, as a UK citizen who is registered with an NHS dentist now has to pay because of how much I earn.
johnnyjonnyjonjon@reddit
Eh? The default position is that everyone has to pay for NHS dental treatment. It's only free in certain circumstances.
You're not paying because of how much you earn... You're not getting free treatment because you're not entitled to it.
AndrewHinds67@reddit
Looks like the criteria is quite narrow, too. Before long we'll be paying to see NHS doctors too.
edhitchon1993@reddit
Free dentistry and optometry was dropped in order to balance the books in 1951. It might have been the start of a slippery slope (Nye Bevin certainly worried it would be), but we've not slipped much further in 74 years.
AndrewHinds67@reddit
I certainly don't remember having to pay for dental treatment years ago. It's only in the last few years I've paid for it.
alltorque1982@reddit
Were you under 18? On benefits? A student? Pregnant? They're generally the reasons you would get free dentistry.
AndrewHinds67@reddit
I was none of those things. I just don't remember having to pay for dental treatment back in the early 2000s.
velvevore@reddit
You were exempted for some reason if you didn't pay. I was paying for NHS dentistry well back in the 90s.
AndrewHinds67@reddit
I am getting pissed off with people voting down my totally innocent comment about paying for NHS dental treatment. What happened to benefit of the doubt?
johnnyjonnyjonjon@reddit
Assuming you don't qualify for an exemption, NHS dentistry has been charged for since 1951.
Wonderful-Cow-9664@reddit
What are you actually talking about? NHS dentistry hasn’t been free for decades. In my 42 years on earth I’ve always been registered at an nhs dentist, and the only time my check ups were free were when I was still I full time education. I’ve been paying for every visit since I was 16. It’s got nothing at all to do with earnings
arenicolamarina@reddit
Try teaching hospitals like this:
Dental treatment by undergraduate students - Overview | Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
RobertdeBilde@reddit
I can recommend BUPA Dental West End for private treatment. Standard of care is excellent. The high cost is not so excellent, but there are monthly payment options.
dodge-thesystem@reddit
Firstly the issue will be getting an appointment, then it's a appeal for an examination and then the work required will be another appointment. You probably looking at private costs so really depends on the actual dentist costs
MediumAutomatic2307@reddit
Where are you getting fillings for £80? The last filling I got (buccal, composite) was £156. Two fillings maxes out my insurance for the year, and I have to pay money towards the treatment. Heck my hygienist appointment would cost £150 if it wasn’t for my insurance.
OnlyAd4352@reddit
Just had a hygienist appointment yesterday. £70. I’m shocked by your prices, I’m assuming it’s London pricing
MediumAutomatic2307@reddit
Nope. North East (Sunderland).
After paying a median of 50euro per filling/extraction in France without insurance, coming back to the UK was a very big shock to the system!
dodge-thesystem@reddit
N. Ireland, private, suppose it's dependant on the actual practice and charging I lost my nhs dentist due to working abroad for 5 yrs. Never considered insurance I just pay it on the day. Anything major I get done in Spain, wife's cousin is based in Madrid again that's dependent on what's needed
Ill_Shirt1182@reddit
It doesn’t thats the problem, however it used to work well twenty years ago.
Arabianmadcunt@reddit
Works for me in north west. I am on NHS and my dentist seems to be pretty good with getting me NHS treatment.
CuriousPersonOnHuman@reddit
I literally fly to Portugal to take care of my teeth, it’s cheaper and faster
Acubeofdurp@reddit
Takes the piss that people can move here and get work done for free that cost me hundreds.
tmr89@reddit
If they can get an NHS dentist, then you can too
HawkwardGames@reddit
Very unlikely you'll get it under the NHS, huge waiting lists for NHS dentists.
alrightpickle@reddit
I've been trying to get family registered recently so I know that the dentist at Imperial College is accepting new NHS patients right now and so is Blue Dental in Brixton. The listings on the NHS site are pretty accurate.
The situation outside of London is dire. One receptionist in Devon told me the waiting list is 7 years long in the whole county.
Wonderful-Cow-9664@reddit
Dentist’s absolutely do it on the NHS if you are entitled to NHS treatment and hold an NHS number. If not then no, they won’t.
However, NHS dentists are currently in short supply and even NHS patients can’t find a dentist with room on their list-so you’ll have to go private. Private dentists will treat anyone as long as they have the money to pay
vusiradebe85@reddit
I've been on the NHS waiting list for the two dentists closest to me. I've not seen any adult openings being advertised, only children.
You can see the dentist as a private patient but it is quite expensive. Although I didn't need one I did get pricing from them when I bought dental insurance last month. A root canal would be 895. Extraction 180.
I have worldwide cover through my insurance and will get any work done back in my home country and only handle emergencies here.
MediumAutomatic2307@reddit
Do you have dental or health insurance from your home country? If yes, it might be better to call them, to see what your options are about getting any dental work done privately in the UK and putting it on your insurance.
TwoValuable@reddit
You need to sign up with a NHS dentist (good luck, these are like gold dust, but always worth trying) or if you have a dental school near you, you might be able to go there. A root canal on the NHS falls under Band 2 and will cost £75.30. Private dentists will cost £300+ easily.
I don't know where you're from or if it's feasible to go home, but I know many Polish ladies who tie in things like dentist appointments and minor medical care when they go home to visit family. As it's generally cheaper or quicker than waiting for it here.
Plenty_Suspect_3446@reddit
I doubt you will get NHS treatment and will probably have to go private. Most dentists offer payment plans on finance.
FracturedMoonlights@reddit
You can get root canal treatment under the NHS if it’s necessary. A root canal is important to get treated so seek your local doctors medical practice for the nearest dentist, it will come under band 2 treatment NHS but you will pay sifnificantly less than paying privately. For last resort call 111 for further help, they should be able to refer you or your local walk in health centre.
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