Private dental insurance

[smallblueplanet]

Does any one have any info about private dental health insurance? I've not visited a dentist for 'a while' as I've a few phobia's and can't afford private - however I would like to be able to have some dental work done. How does dental insurance work? Ta.

[Marthaclematis]

I'm not sure. I have a terrible fear of the dentist and have only been a handfull of times in my whole life, I always thought my teeth were fine - they look fine, but when I did go (because of awful toothache caused by an abcess) I was told off big time and discovered that I have advanced gingivitis (aaarrrggghhh!!). I had two fillings and a good old clean and got advice on how to clean properly, with floss and an electric toothbrush with all the fiddly bits on. They are ok now, I haven't lost any - in fact I've never had to have an extraction ever. Sorry, this doesn't answer your question but what I wanted to say is have you rang round and asked if anyone is taking NHS clients? Mine does and I've seen an advert recently from a dentist taking people on in this way. You still have to pay but I think its a lot cheaper than private.

[smallblueplanet]

...but what I wanted to say is have you rang round and asked if anyone is taking NHS clients?

Yes, but I'm not convinced that they have the 'time' to deal well with 'nervous patients' I think is how one dental surgery described it (or anxious & phobic as another put it!!!!!).

[Hilary B]

Boots (the chemist) do a 'dental plan', but not sure exactly how it works. Our dentist (only does 'private') has a scheme whereby you pay so much a month and it covers check-ups and hygienist(sp?) visits, plus a certain amount off actual 'work', but it isn't exactly 'insurance'.

[Hilary B]

Yes, but I'm not convinced that they have the 'time' to deal well with 'nervous patients' I think is how one dental surgery described it (or anxious & phobic as another put it!!!!!).

It varies enormously. I used to be semi-phobic about the injections (still don't like them, but not as bad as I was), and some dentists are understanding, some.. aren't! A friend of mine (lost contact now, it was ages ago) could only face dental work if she had a dose of Vallium, but she was able to pay privately for THAT and get the rest NHS (note, if trying this option take a friend, whose job is to make sure you get home again, Vallium does NOT help with crossing the road etc.....)

[allotmentlady]

I am with Tescos for our dental insurance but BE careful and read the small print, some insurance wont pay out for certain things, Tescos seem to be okay and I think that if you sign up b4 the 1st April you get 50.00 of tesco vouchers.

Being scared is horrid, I used to be but no more........i had to have a wisdom tooth removed it was killing me, they could not do it under general as I was illl, so BRAVE me went under 5 local injections and they yanked it oout that way.........oh yes it hurt like hell but i aint scared anymore.

[smallblueplanet]

...could only face dental work if she had a dose of Vallium, but she was able to pay privately for THAT and get the rest NHS (note, if trying this option take a friend, whose job is to make sure you get home again, Vallium does NOT help with crossing the road etc.....)

Yes my previous dentist used to do a good shot of valium! I certainly never needed help crossing the road - I was too far gone for that! I still am not keen on an NHS dentist unless they are recommended. Even so most are not taking on NHS patients.

@AL - I'll have a look at Tesco's insurance.

[jackie j]

Not sure who its with but I pay �11.50p a month gives me two check ups and twp hygenist visits plus % off bill if any work carried out, without the insurance hygenist was �40 a visit.

[nelliegemini]

Not sure who its with but I pay �11.50p a month gives me two check ups and twp hygenist visits plus % off bill if any work carried out, without the insurance hygenist was �40 a visit.

Mines much like that, it means I go every 6 months. I was phobic for years, dreadful expriences as a child with extractions etc. I ended up with a gag reflex everytime a dentist got near my mouth. Oddly enough, when I gave up smoking the gag reflex eased, and finding a good lady destist with a wicked sense of humour helped.

Meanwhile, the OH who decided not to go on the dental plan, 'as a comparison to see if it was cheaper', hasn't been to the dentist for 3 years, so yes, his is cheaper!!

The most important thing is to find a dentist you trust ... your teeth are important, your gums even more so (wasn't there something about an olympic rower who had to have a knee operation because the infection had spread from his gums) Anyway, find a nice dentist - my fear has gone, I don't gag, oh god waffling and lecturing - I'll get me coat!

[SHAZSULL]

Yes, but I'm not convinced that they have the 'time' to deal well with 'nervous patients' I think is how one dental surgery described it (or anxious & phobic as another put it!!!!!).

no i dont think they do,i used to work as a dental nurse & no where seems to do sedation for nhs ive just paid �700 for my autistic daughter to have work & be sedated ,work the nhs dentist said didnt need doing,we'll see how it is in 6 months,standards have definitly slipped since the way nhs dentists are paid by the goverment.

[jackie j]

I used to go to a NHS dentist but when a tooth broke I couldnt get an appointment, I went to my OH's dentist as a private patient and he was disgusted with the state of my teeth, I had been going evry six months, and he wasnt just saying it to get me to spend money with him. I had felt that my teeth were suffering for a while, the NHS dentist didnt even suggest that I should see a hygeist for years.
I now have good teeth. My daughter is with the same practice but as an NHS patient as me and the OH pay private they also see her for free so good value as far as we are concerned.

[digthatchick]

My OH has just moved from private (been with the same practice for 35 years!) and gone to a new NHS set up in Worcester. Normally private was - hygenist �40 - check up �55. This new practice Check up (complete with x rays) with hygenist after ... �16.50 !!
She said the dentists were great and spent time asking her about any worries or fears before she even sat down in "the chair"

I had insurance but gave it up as I found it very expensive and didn't cover much if you looked at the small print.

Guess where I'm going next?

[smallblueplanet]

There are very few dentists accepting NHS patients around here - its fine comparing prices if all you have done is a check up and a hygenist visit. But I know I will need some fillings as I have quite 'weak' teeth. If I needed another crown it'd be �180 on the NHS, so its not like its cheap to 'potentially' be treated shabbily.

[Alice]

I don't know how it works SBP. What I do know is that I pay for my dental work and I feel much more in charge and much less frightened. I used to have my dentist on the NHS and I was always terrified. With my private dentist I am much more relaxed and feel he can give me the time I need. Maybe it's just mad but paying just works better for me.I feel I am the client , can do things in my own time and ask any questions I like.
I'm sure with insurance you would be in the same position - I just don't know about the insurance.

[di]

Don't know if it's still the same,but several years ago I did look into Dental insurance but was told that they wouldn't accept me until I'd had the work that needed doing done.
I've since,it would seem,struck gold & found an NHS dentist that puts me under sedation for any work....think the last lot cost me about �45 for three fillings.Any work that has to be done at a lab,ie making of crowns,dentures,caps etc comes in at around �100.
It makes me soo mad though that dentists can get away with the huge costs for private care...or that the goverment don't put more money into making sure affordable care is out there for everyone....how come problems with our teeth/mouths are considered any less of a medical necessity than any other ailment?
Good Luck with getting something sorted Manda.