If you’ve recently moved and are looking for a dentist in Lancaster or you’ve decided that it’s time to change dental practice, you may be trying to decide whether to register with an NHS practice or a private dentist. This is a common conundrum.

 A wider choice of dental treatments  

NHS dentistry is focused on core restorative dental treatments that fall within three set price brackets. This includes metal fillings, dentures, crowns and bridges. The current system means that NHS services are limited to ways to restore the function of your teeth without too much focus on their appearance.

So-called ‘cosmetic’ dental treatments such as white fillings, veneers, adult orthodontics and dental implants are typically only available via a private dentist, who is able to offer a wider range of treatments that focus on aesthetics as well as function.

 Cutting-edge technology 

It is also the case that private dentists tend to use a greater range of materials, equipment and cutting-edge technology. This is because they can determine their own services according to their training and because it is in their patients’ interests to be able to meet their unique needs as precisely as possible.

Unhurried appointments

One of the biggest criticisms of NHS dental services, in our experience, is how long it takes to get an appointment, the long interim period between appointments, and the fact that appointments can feel rushed. NHS dentists may also be unable to offer appointments outside of nine to five office hours. Although this isn’t the case with every NHS practice, it is a factor.

As private dentists, we don’t have the pressure of having to achieve a certain number of ‘units of dental activity’ per year, which is how NHS dentists in England and Wales have been paid since April 2006. This means that we are able to offer longer appointment times and see fewer people each day, giving us time to get to know you and your case in depth before we make our recommendations.

Here at Viva Dental, we are even able to offer appointments outside of conventional office hours by arrangement only, so do speak to our reception if this would be more convenient for you.

We are also in the position to be able to offer you appointments for a course of treatment that reflect the ideal gaps between each phase of your treatment.

 Transparent fees 

There’s no denying that some people like the seeming simplicity of the NHS’s three-band dental pricing structure. However, unexpected charges can still arise for NHS patients, raising the price of the treatment.

Yes, private dental care is more expensive. However, it’s important to stress that you get what you pay for; the price of seeing a private dentist usually includes cancer screening at your routine examinations, longer treatment times, cutting-edge technology, more comprehensive hygienist care, a wider choice of treatment options, and a clearly itemised treatment plan that is broken down in detail from the outset so that there are not nasty surprises later on.

Most private dentists offer membership plans to help you spread the costs of your routine examinations, as well as low or even interest-free finance options so you can access the treatment you need and then make manageable monthly payments over the next 12 to 60 months.

Finding the right private dentist for you

When it comes to the choice between a private or NHS dentist, there is no right or wrong decision. There are some fantastic NHS practices out there, in just the same way as there are some fantastic private dentists.

The most important thing is to do your homework and find a practice that feels right to you, one where you feel welcome and trust the recommendations of the staff. Google and Facebook reviews, websites, word of mouth referrals and coming in for an initial consultation will all help you make up your mind. Think about your personal priorities – do you want to improve the appearance of your teeth or is maintenance your focus? Is that likely to change? Do you have a family? Will their dental needs change in the future?

If you’re looking for a private dentist in Lancaster and would like to know more about Viva Dental, call us on 01524 735 431 to book a consultation.