Dental treatment

[Dilkris]

I have read the development of this thread with some interest and it is worrying that we appear to be heading with some certainty toward the American route whereby insurance is required to financially access any medical attention. Do I have a problem with this? - "Yes" I think I do.
I am retired now (70) and obviously grew up with the NHS providing dental and medical care; I am not rolling in money but would describe myself as "financially comfortable" - at least that's what I thought....
Realistically I now find myself needing some £28K to fix my failing bits and pieces; waiting period for my new hip is 12 months but pay £14K and its 6 weeks..... I struggle hearing in certain environments, that will be £4K sir ..... I would like a nice smile without missing teeth, that will be £10K sir.....
Needless to add, I did not factor in such costs in my planning for retirement.
I have advised my Son - who is 32, to insure himself thoroughly for all such eventualities, as indeed I would have done - had I known.
Bitter? I think "yes" - a little bit.

 

[dobbslc]

I think you're correct @Dilkris but I wonder when I'll get the reduction in tax to go with the almost complete lack of NHS dental services I can access?
A long wait me thinks...

 

[Dilkris]

I think you're correct @Dilkris but I wonder when I'll get the reduction in tax to go with the almost complete lack of NHS dental services I can access?
A long wait me thinks...

You have said nothing wrong -

 

[addjunkie]

I have read the development of this thread with some interest and it is worrying that we appear to be heading with some certainty toward the American route whereby insurance is required to financially access any medical attention. Do I have a problem with this? - "Yes" I think I do.
I am retired now (70) and obviously grew up with the NHS providing dental and medical care; I am not rolling in money but would describe myself as "financially comfortable" - at least that's what I thought....
Realistically I now find myself needing some £28K to fix my failing bits and pieces; waiting period for my new hip is 12 months but pay £14K and its 6 weeks..... I struggle hearing in certain environments, that will be £4K sir ..... I would like a nice smile without missing teeth, that will be £10K sir.....
Needless to add, I did not factor in such costs in my planning for retirement.
I have advised my Son - who is 32, to insure himself thoroughly for all such eventualities, as indeed I would have done - had I known.
Bitter? I think "yes" - a little bit.

With out getting political….when the NHS was first thought about and costed in 1948, there was a much smaller population of about 50 million. Folk didn't live as long especially the working man. There was also far fewer life saving treatments for cancers, heart and lung transplants etc. Roll the clock forward, the population has risen by 17 million, the treatments have increased massively due to advances in medical science therefore folk live much longer. Therefore load on the system has increased as has the cost. Your 14k hip for example, 40 years ago if you were still alive youd have just lived the remainder of your life in pain and half crippled. Your teeth would have been extracted, and a denture was the route.

We all want the perfect system, but no one wants to fund it, by huge taxation increases.

I think you're correct @Dilkris but I wonder when I'll get the reduction in tax to go with the almost complete lack of NHS dental services I can access?
A long wait me thinks...

The same could be said for private school fees, Bupa payments etc. But the reality is they are luxuries and no government can be seen to give them away tax free if they ever want a vote.
Then when you die if your lucky enough to done well for yourself, they tax you again with IHT.

Only 3 certainties in life, your born, you pay tax, then you die!

 

[Colin Barron]

With out getting political….when the NHS was first thought about and costed in 1948, there was a much smaller population of about 50 million. Folk didn't live as long especially the working man. There was also far fewer life saving treatments for cancers, heart and lung transplants etc. Roll the clock forward, the population has risen by 17 million, the treatments have increased massively due to advances in medical science therefore folk live much longer. Therefore load on the system has increased as has the cost. Your 14k hip for example, 40 years ago if you were still alive youd have just lived the remainder of your life in pain and half crippled. Your teeth would have been extracted, and a denture was the route.

We all want the perfect system, but no one wants to fund it, by huge taxation increases.

The same could be said for private school fees, Bupa payments etc. But the reality is they are luxuries and no government can be seen to give them away tax free if they ever want a vote.
Then when you die if your lucky enough to done well for yourself, they tax you again with IHT.

Only 3 certainties in life, your born, you pay tax, then you die!

What you say is true but 40 years ago doctors worked a 5 day week, did not retire at 55 or live long after retirement. On top of this, back then 10% of doctor training places were women, now it 60%. I read a while ago that 64% of NHS running costs were labour. It is a no win situation, pay the doctors more money and they may well be able to afford to work less hours.
The real problem of improving doctors pay and conditions was the government did not maintain differentials of the pecking order for dentists.

 

[Endeleus]

Just back from a 600 mile round trip to see my dentist (I never bothered finding a new dentist when we moved North).

The geek/engineer in me was impressed with the “same day crowns” system. After a laser scan of the chipped tooth to be crowned, they had what I assume to be some sort of CNC mill which ground the new crown ready for fitting in about 12 minutes while I waited.

 

[premmington]

I have read the development of this thread with some interest and it is worrying that we appear to be heading with some certainty toward the American route whereby insurance is required to financially access any medical attention. Do I have a problem with this? - "Yes" I think I do.
I am retired now (70) and obviously grew up with the NHS providing dental and medical care; I am not rolling in money but would describe myself as "financially comfortable" - at least that's what I thought....
Realistically I now find myself needing some £28K to fix my failing bits and pieces; waiting period for my new hip is 12 months but pay £14K and its 6 weeks..... I struggle hearing in certain environments, that will be £4K sir ..... I would like a nice smile without missing teeth, that will be £10K sir.....
Needless to add, I did not factor in such costs in my planning for retirement.
I have advised my Son - who is 32, to insure himself thoroughly for all such eventualities, as indeed I would have done - had I known.
Bitter? I think "yes" - a little bit.

I read the above - and taking into account - I would guess you have worked all your life - paid Ni every week of your working life along with your Father.

You made a very good point...

 

[winchman]

Haven't had much luck with Dentists, One struck me of for questioning the bill! Two emergrated, latest one is good but just under £700 to repair one tooth! Its Private and full all local NHS dentists are full.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Haven't had much luck with Dentists, One struck me of for questioning the bill! Two emergrated, latest one is good but just under £700 to repair one tooth! Its Private and full all local NHS dentists are full.

I am now paying £36.50 a month. I think that will have to go and I will self insure.

 

[Smallfry]

I have a molar that had root canal fillings years ago, and a crown on top. It broke off during the pandemic, and my dentist would not do anything. Tried somewhere else but that was a non starter too, so I left it.
It is now like shards, and hurting a lot. I have an appointment on Monday. Should be on the NHS, but will have to see what transpires. Back in the day they would have pulled it there and then, but I am betting that I will be referred to a "specialist"

This seems to happen a lot now, so I do wonder if these dentists are actually fully qualified.

Sadly I can't afford expensive treatments and cosmetic stuff. Can always find money for more tools though !

 

[winchman]

I have a molar that had root canal fillings years ago, and a crown on top. It broke off during the pandemic, and my dentist would not do anything. Tried somewhere else but that was a non starter too, so I left it.
It is now like shards, and hurting a lot. I have an appointment on Monday. Should be on the NHS, but will have to see what transpires. Back in the day they would have pulled it there and then, but I am betting that I will be referred to a "specialist"

This seems to happen a lot now, so I do wonder if these dentists are actually fully qualified.

Sadly I can't afford expensive treatments and cosmetic stuff. Can always find money for more tools though !

That could possibly be pinned and crowned or easily pulled. The one that I had a £1000 quote for specialist root canal with no guarantee was pulled!

 

[winchman]

I am now paying £36.50 a month. I think that will have to go and I will self insure.

We have a free scheme work pay for but I can only claim about £200 a year from it so its something but costs have shot up.

 

[Seadog]

I have a molar that had root canal fillings years ago, and a crown on top. It broke off during the pandemic, and my dentist would not do anything. Tried somewhere else but that was a non starter too, so I left it.
It is now like shards, and hurting a lot. I have an appointment on Monday. Should be on the NHS, but will have to see what transpires. Back in the day they would have pulled it there and then, but I am betting that I will be referred to a "specialist"

This seems to happen a lot now, so I do wonder if these dentists are actually fully qualified.

Sadly I can't afford expensive treatments and cosmetic stuff. Can always find money for more tools though !

I have the same. £1500 for a root canal and crown. 18 months later it broke at the gum line.
Dentist doesn't want to go near it.

 

[Screwdriver]

I have an excellent dentist near me. Had three inserts after also suffering at the hands of so called "dentists".

@Seadog I would happily recommend this practice to anyone within range of W. London.

 

[Smallfry]

I have the same. £1500 for a root canal and crown. 18 months later it broke at the gum line.
Dentist doesn't want to go near it.

Same dentist ? Thats a bit wrong. Looks like we will all be living on porridge and soup soon.

MIND THE GAP.

 

[steveo3002]

weve been using a dentist in spain the last 3-4 years , combine it with a few days holiday , its a fraction of the uk prices and none of the b.s that goes with it , god knows what will happen if we dont travel

over there theres dozens of dentist offices , you can just walk in and be seen same day or quickly

 

[Seadog]

Same dentist ? Thats a bit wrong. Looks like we will all be living on porridge and soup soon.

MIND THE GAP.

It's gping to be a bugger of a job. The titanium post is, I believe, the problem.

 

[Seadog]

I have an excellent dentist near me. Had three inserts after also suffering at the hands of so called "dentists".

@Seadog I would happily recommend this practice to anyone within range of W. London.

How much do they charge for an implant?

 

[Screwdriver]

How much do they charge for an implant?

Cheap (you know me!) but a fair few years ago. Over £2k iirc but not by much and I may have negotiated three for the price of two. I would never negotiate too hard with anyone operating machinery in my mouth.

Best if you ask them: https://windsordentalimplants.co.uk/

 

[dave h 2]

I have a molar that had root canal fillings years ago, and a crown on top. It broke off during the pandemic, and my dentist would not do anything. Tried somewhere else but that was a non starter too, so I left it.
It is now like shards, and hurting a lot. I have an appointment on Monday. Should be on the NHS, but will have to see what transpires. Back in the day they would have pulled it there and then, but I am betting that I will be referred to a "specialist"

This seems to happen a lot now, so I do wonder if these dentists are actually fully qualified.

I think NHS dentist training is basic filling and extraction, anything with crowns tend to be done by older dentists.
All the other up skilled stuff is covered by extra courses which they have to pay for on top personally.
We keep getting referred these days for old crowns that are now playing up etc.