Taking care of your oral health is important for your overall health. However, choosing the best dental practice isn’t always easy. Is it better to go private or with the NHS for your dental care?
Here, we’ll look at the differences between private and NHS dentists and the things to consider when deciding who to go with.
The pros and cons of private treatment
A private dental hygienist is much like a private hospital. They allow you to schedule an appointment to suit you whenever you like.
They also provide more services than an NHS practice. This is because they offer both functional and cosmetic treatments.
The NHS on the other hand simply offers functional services. You’ll also be receiving the very best treatment with a private dentist.
There are many reasons to choose a private dentist, but they also come with one major downside – the cost. It can be extremely expensive to get work done privately compared to getting it done on the NHS. However, it is possible to get insurance to cover it.
The pros and cons of NHS dental
NHS dentists are both affordable and efficient. There are plenty of NHS dentists around the country and the costs of treatment are much lower than private dentists. This makes it a great option for those on a budget.
However, there are more downsides to choosing an NHS dentist. It can be difficult to get an appointment due to how many people are registered. You’ll typically end up with whatever appointment they have available, not what you want. They also don’t offer cosmetic procedures. This means if the treatment you want isn’t considered functional, you won’t be able to have it done under the NHS.
Which is right for you?
In order to decide which option is right for you, think about your budget. Can you afford to go private? If not, your only option is to join an NHS practice. While you may still have to pay something, it isn’t anywhere near as much as a private dentist.
Although the quality of treatment is better with private clinics, both private and NHS dentists can lead to medical negligence. Mistakes can happen, but in both settings, you’ll find this is rare. The quality of treatment is better within a private clinic though, so it’s still the better option if you’re looking for the best of the best treatments.
Overall, private dentists are considered the better option. You can get an appointment when you like and know that you’re getting the very best treatment. However, they aren’t affordable for everyone. The NHS still provides an excellent standard of care and its treatments come at a much lower price tag.
