Private Dentistry – How Is It Different to NHS Dentistry?

As a Private Dental Practice in Somerset, one of the most frequent calls we receive is from prospective patients looking for an NHS Dentist. Whilst we’re unable to help with this, as we are and always have been a Private Practice, once we explain to patients how Private Dentistry works and the benefits entailed, this usually leads to them joining our fantastic Practice!

One of the key differences between NHS and Private Dentistry is the appointment timeline. On the NHS, even if you can get into a dentist to begin with, the average National waiting time for a routine check-up is around 4 weeks. However, Private Dentistry doesn’t suffer from these restrictions. Thanks to diary management and a desire to care for our patients in an expedient manner, Ilchester Dental & Implant Centre is able to offer appointments within a week on most occasions.

If you’re suffering from a dental emergency, this can often be shortened down to an appointment on the same day or the next day at worst. NHS dentistry, due to funding and staffing, is unable to offer such accessibility.

Once you make it over to an appointment, you can again notice a difference between NHS and Private dentistry. NHS appointments are, by their nature, scheduled to be quick and work on maximum efficiency. Therefore, you’re usually considered spoiled if you get 10 minutes for a routine appointment on the NHS.

However, on a Private basis, we’re focused on taking our time and offering a thorough and enjoyable experience, in a calm and measured way. For the countless number of the population who suffer with dental anxiety or fears, this extra time and ability to move at the speed our patients prefer means a visit to the dentist no longer needs to be a scary rush-job, and can instead be a pleasant and calm experience.

The level and range of treatment offered also differ across the two provisions. Under the NHS, the key is examinations, followed by as minimal treatment as is feasible, due to the need to extend funding across as broadly as possible. Thankfully, in Private Practice, we’re not restricted in the same fashion. This means we’re able to offer a much greater range of preventative and restorative solutions, letting you keep your natural teeth for longer. If that is unfortunately not possible, Private dentistry also has a far, far greater range of Prosthodontic options – ways to replace your teeth, once they’ve been removed. Thanks to a lack of limitations on the materials and suppliers we can use, our crowns, bridges, dentures, and implants are frequently indistinguishable from your natural neighbouring teeth.

Finally, one of the more common complaints of NHS dentistry: knowing your dentist. Due to higher staff turnover and a lack of flexibility in NHS diaries, you can often see a different dentist at every appointment you attend in an NHS Practice. Dentistry is a deeply personal and close-up undertaking, so being greeted by a stranger at each visit can be incredibly anxiety-inducing for even the best of us.

Under Private Dentistry, you find that not only do Dentists tend to remain with Practices for a much longer period of time, but also that the best Private Dentists are also willing to move around their availability and diary to accommodate their patients. This allows you to build up a greater relationship with your dentist and have full faith and trust that they are working towards the same desired outcome as you. Equally, if you find yourself dissatisfied with the specific dentist you have seen, for any reason, you are able to move to a colleague easily and without issue – an option not usually afforded under NHS Dentistry.

The change from NHS to Private dentistry can be a lot to think about, but there are plenty of ways and means to make it an accessible, affordable, and achievable outcome for any prospective patient. If you’d like to find out more about how this switch can work for you, why not use the Live Chat in the corner, or give us a call on 01935 840784.