For many years it was a patients choice to choose private dentistry over the NHS. However, in our current climate, securing an NHS appointment is like gold dust, and is becoming harder and harder.
With the new government still concerned by the state of dentistry in the UK, the GDC have recently published their latest research on public views and experiences of dental care in the UK, especially within the NHS. The main issues raised were difficulties in booking appointments, issues securing regular dental visits, and frequent cancellations. Of course, affordability remains the biggest issue, with “nearly one-quarter of respondents expressing dissatisfaction with the cost of dental treatment”. You can read more about the research here.
NHS Treatment
If you are registered under an NHS dentist, you can receive treatments and services which are clinically necessary for your overall oral health. But there are some treatments which aren’t available because they are classed as cosmetic procedures these can include: teeth whitening, bonding etc. You can find out what treatments are available on the NHS here. It’s important to note you may not always see the same dentist while under NHS dental care too.
Private Treatment
If you go to a private dentist, you have access to a much broader list of treatment options and complex services such as implants or veneers and other cosmetic treatments. But the biggest comparative factor between NHS and private dentistry, alongside your ability to get an appointment is the cost associated with your treatment. According to “Dentistry CDP” 4 in 10 (41%) people mentioned cost as a primary barrier to them not seeking dental care, which has “sparked warnings that NHSservices are unsustainable without change”.
It’s still very much unknown the intentions of the Labour government and how they intend to combat the difficulties the country has faced over the last few years regarding dentistry, only time will tell if it a priority.
What’s the difference between an NHS or private dentistry claims?
Every dentist, whether they are NHS or working privately, has a duty of care and should always carry out correct and proper dental procedures. If your dentist was negligent then you may be eligible to make a claim against them. If the negligent dental treatment happened in an NHS hospital, you would be bringing a claim against the NHS trust in these circumstances. We have a guide to claiming dental negligence for NHS dental treatment linked here.
How do I make a claim?
At Dental Law, we always have an experienced team of solicitors and dentists on hand who are happy to discuss the circumstances of your claim and advise you at every point of your claim. If you’ve suffered from negligence at the hands of your dentist and you’d like to pursue a claim, we may be able to help.
All our claims are carried out on a no-win, no-fee basis, ensuring you won’t pay anything unless your case is successful. If you think you may have a claim or want a little more information, please call us on 0800 152 2044 or fill out our contact form here.