That’s what I posted on X (formerly Twitter) and on Blue Sky.
However, I checked the NHS Prices:
Information from https://www.electricteeth.com/uk/nhs-private-dental-charges/
And the practice I visited today shows this fees on their website:
Today, I was able to pay £49 upfront for a check-up on Monday when what I need is a filling before my tooth deteriorates further. The check-up could have been done later but this allowed me to have an appointment. I will ask the dentist why I had to do this when what I need is just a filling.
Also, their price list shows Examination – New Patient / Routine: £49 / £34.50, there’s no explanation what the price differences refers to. And it’s far off the NHS check-up prices in England which are at £25.80.
I am aware there is an issue with people who not being able to be treated on the NHS when they have teeth problems and some horrible stories where people had to pull their own teeth out. I think this is not normal in a country that claims to have the best National Health service in the world.
I searched the reasons for this. The answer I got from the internet was:
According to a recent article in The Guardian, the NHS dentistry system has been slowly falling apart due to poor dentist pay, rising prices, and low governmental investment 1. In 2021, more than 2,000 dentists quit the NHS, and in 2022, a BBC survey found that nine out of ten dental practices that still offer NHS services are not accepting new adult patients, and eight out of ten are not taking on any more children 1. The contracts that dentists have been working under since 2006 are also blamed for the shortage of NHS dentists. Dentists say that these contracts fail to cover the cost of treatments and leave them out of pocket 3. The situation has left millions without access to basic healthcare, resulting in “dental deserts” across England, and the problem is only set to get worse as more and more dentists leave the profession 1.
I was able to pay £49 upfront to see a dentist, however I am really concerned that others might not be able to afford this. What are your thoughts?
Source(s)
1. Wednesday briefing: Why you can’t find an NHS dentist in England
2. 90 percent of NHS dental practices in the UK are not accepting new …
3. What is the NHS dentist shortage and why is it happening?
4. Why you probably can’t find a local NHS dentist – A system in crisis?
5. Full extent of NHS dentistry shortage revealed by far-reaching BBC …
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