Many individuals often wonder what the difference is between private dental care and NHS treatment. Patients may find themselves wondering if private dentists are better than NHS. Often the common assumption is purely based on price, in that private dental care is more expensive. However, this is not always the case and usually, the service provided is considerably better and unrestricted.
NHS Dental Charges
NHS treatment is designed to be cost-effective for the taxpayer and each NHS clinic works to a fixed NHS budget. There are currently three different NHS changing bands. The amount spent depends on the treatment type that is required:
Band 1: £23.80 – Covers an examination, diagnosis, and advice. If necessary, it also includes X-rays, a scale and polish, and planning for further treatment.
Band 2: £65.20 – Covers all treatments included in Band 1, plus additional treatment, such as fillings, root canal treatment and removing teeth.
Band 3: £282.80 – Covers all treatments included in Bands 1 and 2, plus more complex procedures, such as crowns, dentures, and bridges.
NHS Dental Treatments
In general, the NHS will provide any treatment that is clinically necessary to keep a person’s mouth, teeth, and gums clean and healthy.
- Crowns and bridges (Band 3, £282.80)
- Dentures (Band 3, £282.80)
- Dental abscesses
- Scaling if clinically necessary
- Orthodontic treatment that is clinically necessary
- Root canal (Band 2, £65.20)
- Wisdom teeth extraction (Band 2, £65.20)
- White fillings (Band 2, £65.20)
What Is Private Dental Care?
Private dental care is available to everyone! Below we cover the main benefits of choosing a private dentist practice. These include a wider range of treatments, longer consultations, and more flexible appointments. Private dental care is all based on choice. You can choose your ideal treatment and payment plans.
Private Dental Care Benefits Over The NHS
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic treatments such as dental veneers, crowns, bridges, teeth whitening and Invisalign are not available on the NHS. There are treatments that can create your ideal smile and appearance that are often not used. A private dentist will always provide the best solutions that are both functional and cosmetic for you individually. Treatment needs to be functional on the NHS and not for cosmetic reasons. Therefore, if you are looking for a more visual solution then a private dentist is often the way to move forward.
Appointment Availability
Private dental practices offer appointments at any time of day that the practice is open. This provides complete flexibility and freedom to have the highest standard of treatments. Often an NHS practice has a waiting list that can be months long. This leaves patients in pain and often leads to further problems. Similarly, private dental practises can also offer emergency dental care, even out of hours if the availability is there. Furthermore, private dentists often have a larger capacity, therefore, can accept new patients.
Longer Appointments
NHS dentistry is often about getting the highest volume of patients through in the shortest amount of time, commonly 10 minutes. Private dental appointments are longer. Therefore, allowing for your treatment to be executed in a more relaxed manner. Ensuring you are comfortable and leaving you walking away happy, confident, and smiling. The majority of NHS dentists are only open between 09:00 and 17:00.
Specialist Care
Due to the availability of private dental appointments, dentists can often offer specialist care for certain treatments. In addition to longer, specific appointments for nervous patients.
Benefit From A Private Dentist In Stoke On Trent
Grosvenor Dental Practise in Stoke On Trent is a private practice offering a wide range of treatments that are included but also not included on the NHS. Including, dental veneers, teeth whitening, dental crowns and Invisalign.
The cost of private dental treatments at our Stoke dentist practice varies. We have a wide range of options as well as different dental and payment plans. Additionally, we are continuously updating our special offers to help you gain the best treatment.
Furthermore, we have availability to be there when you need us most. As a leading emergency dentist based in Stoke on Trent, we can offer you a same-day appointment. Don’t be left in pain or a lack of confidence due to your teeth. Contact Grosvenor Dental Practise today for all your private dentistry requirements.
