Should I go to a private dentist now for treatment or wait 5 months for an NHS appointment?

I lost a filling from an upper back tooth recently and so have tried to get an NHS emergency appointment as I'm not registered. I've been put on the NHS register but it takes about 4 months to get a dentist here apparently. The emergency service will only do abstrations if people are in pain or cement crowns back in. So I went to a private dentist who told me I needed root canal surgery and a crown which would cost £450 so I booked an appointment for next week but this seems an awful lot of money. I'm not really in any pain with it but he said it would develop into an abcess if not treated soon. Should I go with this guy who seems to be overcharging me or wait until an NHS appointment becomes available which would cost a more affordable £200 if I do need a crown?

Should I go to a private dentist now for treatment or wait 5 months for an NHS appointment?
if u have the money then private is the 1 to go for if not stick to waiting for the 5months but saying that it could most probably be more than 5months
Reply:You found an NHS dentist???


I think I'd stump up and go private this time.


For future reference, why not check out various insurance plans that cover part of the cost of dentistry?


I note that Tesco now offers a dental health insurance policy, but a better general option may be BHSF. (Google it). This covers a number of things including dental work, glasses and so on.
Reply:Go with the private dentist while you are not in pain, this way the treatment will be all done before pain develops, yes it is alot of money but i can tell you it is definately worth it, they do way better treatment than NHS dentists.


Dont wait for the NHS or you will wait forever, get your treatment done next week with the private dentist even though it is alot more expensive i can safely say it is worth it
Reply:The question is: If I wait do I risk loosing the tooth? The answer is dependent on how damaged the tooth is...As for the fee you have been quoted, shop around and see if everyone in your area charges the same fee...Good luck and I wish you well.
Reply:Taking care of your teeth is very costly but very worth it--do not delay treatment. (For some people it is more affordable to visit a foreign country where medical service is cheap, including the entire cost of the trip.)
Reply:Well,i go to the dental hospital in manchester.it trains dentists,and its FREE,and the students do everything under supervision,and they are fantastic,i now wont go to a dentist i just turn up at the dental school.





Also,several n.h.s drop in centres have dentists on site and you can book an appointment there if its urgent and thats free too.





I think dental services are terrible now,and i couldnt get an n.h.s dentist to treat me for 7 years,so i went to the dental school.


i dont know where you live in u.k,but n.h.s direct could tell you where you can get free treatment.


i found a site that talks about drop in centre dentists,in many areas coming soon.hope you get sorted.