How Private Dentists charge like Ryan Air
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There is encouraging trend in the towns in the UK that you will find a NHS dental practise opening round the corner. This may have been due to government or universities encouraging more students in last few years to opt dentistry as their career. And the results you find more NHS dental practises opening up near you now.
There is encouraging trend in the towns in the UK that you will find a NHS dental practise opening round the corner. This may have been due to government or universities encouraging more students in last few years to opt dentistry as their career. And the results you find more NHS dental practises opening up near you now.
You might have noticed your letterbox flooded with flyers from the private dentist around you. Most of them offering you some sort of concession or free treatment when you register with them.
One such flyer of a local private dental surgery landed in my letterbox and I thought of sharing it with you. The aim is see how they are trying to lure you to registering with them and compete with NHS dentists whose prices
are much cheaper compared to them.
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| From 20100207 iWaant |
The opening statement "We are currently taking new patients" Did the private dental surgery ever stop registering new patients ?
"Competitive Prices" We will see the prices on the overleaf of the leaflet
"Cosmetic Dentistry" It is good to have a dental surgery that has cosmetic dentistry. But these treatments are expensive
"Funding up to 12 months interest free" You can go for expensive treatments and pay for next one year.
"Families welcome" When you, your spouse and children go to the same dentist, then your family will be promoting the surgery.
"Established over 20 years" This is a plus point compared to new NHS Dental Surgery which has started recently.
"Free Parking" That's a good point. So how much time your dentist wants to treat you - 2 hours. The parking should be maximum £2 and you will paying to dentist over £100.
"You will always see the same dentist" That's a bold statement. Inquire whether the surgery has other dentists !!!
Your smile .... our priority .... Now let's have a look at their fee structure and see how they are transparent like Ryan Air.
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| From 20100207 iWaant |
Examination £18 : Usually an examination will be for £30 as the dentist will not only have a look at your teeth but also take x-rays to determine the course of treatment.
Scale and Polish £21 : Why would a dentist to do scale and polish when there is a hygienist in the dental surgery who can do a thorough job for you than a dentist.
X-rays £6 each: See examination above.
Amalgam fillings from £48 : You should ask the dentist the quality of materials. The dentist is most likely to explain the quality and life of materials and other dearer options. Just ask him why his materials are cheaper than the other local dentist.
White Fillings from £45: Ask him the same questions as Amalgam fillings
Simple Extractions £65: When it is simple extraction, then the tooth would come out in 5 minutes. Earlier the dentist would have charged you for an examination, taken two x-rays and now he is extracting it. So you pay £95 for a simple job.
Surgical extractions £85: This sounds to be complicated. The dentist in this type practise will only do an examination and recommended you to a specialist. So you pay for examination + X-rays and pay to a specialist, probably, lot more.
Crowns from £280 / Dentures from £300: There is an element of labour and materials for any treatment. Either the labour is expensive or materials. Just like your car, if the tyre is expensive it will last for a long time but if it is cheap, then you have to change it after an year.
Root Canal (per root) from £70: The dodgy word 'from' does not give you a confidence how much you are going to get ripped. This pricing is like Ryan Air prices which starts with £ 10 to attract your attention and then you end up paying £80 when all the options are added up.
The dentist charges you for an examination. But, in theory, can a dentist provide you an estimate for any work without an examination ? Does a decorator provide you an estimate without looking at your house or charge you just for coming to your house. Why are the dentist so different ?
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