Where to Find Free and Affordable Dental Care
It’s pretty shocking that in England, it’s difficult to find an NHS dentist, despite tooth pain being as severe as many other kinds of pain (and once you lose your second set of gnashers, that’s it – gums or false teeth!) The pandemic led to a huge backlog of patients, and things are only now starting to catch up. So do try to locate an NHS dentist if you can. As the prices are way cheaper than private dental care, which is what most people now have to use.
Private dental care prices are astronomical. £200 for a filling, up to £1000 for a crown. Even £100 to register or have a hygienist clean. Insurance plans spread the cost (but many people don’t qualify, and even if you do, you’re then in debt for years to dentists who often add unnecessary treatments to make more profit, if you are approved).
One in five people (that’s two in five on low incomes) now avoid going to the dentist in England, because it costs too much. Preventative care is obviously always best. Not just for your teeth, but to avoid costly treatment later on.
Read our dental care posts (widely used to sweeten toothpaste, floss and gum, never use xylitol brands near pets – licking leftovers from around your mouth or sink could be fatal – there should be warnings on the packets).
Oh, I wish I’d looked after me teeth, and spotted the perils beneath. All the toffees I chewed and the sweet sticky food. If I’d known I was paving the way to cavities, caps and decay, I’d have thrown all me sherbet away. Pam Ayres
Free Dental Care Services
Use the NHS website to find local practices accepting NHS patients. You’ll be lucky to find one. For emergency treatment, call 111 to be sent to hospital or dentist (even if private, you’ll be charged NHS prices in this instance).
People on certain benefits (plus children and pregnant women) and NHS Low Income Scheme usually qualify for free treatment. Free services won’t include tooth whitening or hygienist appointments, but will cover severe pain, temporary fillings, and antibiotics. Take along your benefit certificates and letters, to avoid delays.
Dental Charities for Free Treatment
Dentaid The Dental Charity runs mobile and pop-up clinics across the UK. It also works with shelters, food banks and community hubs.
Community Dental Services supports people who find it hard to use standard dental practices, including those with additional needs in homeless shelters. It’s a Community Interest Company that is referral-only, helping people with learning disabilities, mental health issues or severe anxiety (not ‘frightened of the dentist anxiety’, that doesn’t count!)
If you’re very fortunate, you may find some local councils and faith groups offering free dental advice sessions, and basic care days (for pain relief, simple fillings and extractions).
Affordable Dental Clinics
If you can’t find an NHS clinic nor qualify for benefits, join the rest of us! Your best bet is going to either to save up for private treatment (tell yourself that once done, it prevents more expensive options like root canals) and then look after your teeth better! Most private dentists all charge a fortune, so it’s not likely you’ll find a non-profit one!
But do shop around. One survey found that prices can differ by £100 for a simple filling, depending on which clinic you go to. You want a good dentist, not some fancy clinic with bells-and-whistles, that is likely charging you more, for all the add-ons and swish design.
The other option (just like getting your hi-lights done at a local hair college by a student) is to find your nearest dental school. This is where dental students (under supervision from teachers) treat patients, often at 50% or more of private rates. It should be pretty safe (they are training to be dentists anyway), and it’s the most realistic option of getting more affordable care.
The only other option is to ask your dentist for a ‘sliding scale’ rate. A few offer this. So if you need 8 fillings, you could ask for them to be bundled together for a cheaper price, and ask if they can adjust fees based on household incomes. Not likely, but worth asking.
Is Dental Insurance Worth It?
Every private dentist offers plans where you can ‘spread the cost’. If you find an NHS dentist (or only need a six-monthly check-up and hygienist), then it’s not worth buying.
It only really comes into play, if you need a lot of treatment. You then pay back the dentist over time. The caveat to this is that it encourages private dentists to develop expensive ‘treatment plans’ often recommending things you don’t need (like taking photos of your teeth, straightening or whitening) once your account is approved.
It’s up to you. But ‘budgeting for dental care’ can also be done with a pen and paper. Don’t be sucked into expensive dental plans before reading the small print. A good dentist may set up a private plan anyway, without need for insurance. HSF is a non-profit health cash plan, which may suit.
Is It A Good Idea to Have Treatment Abroad?
Likely no. So-called ‘Turkey teeth’ is when you go on a ‘dentist holiday’ to get work done abroad, usually in Eastern Europe for around half the price. Sounds good, but these dentists sometimes decide on treatment after you send a photo by WhatsApp. And a few report crowns and bridges falling off, not long after returning home.
Private dental treatment in England is around 70% more expensive. A lot of that is profit, but some is due to better techniques and materials, plus all UK dentists are registered with the British Dental Council, for best practice.
Hopefully government changes are coming in (but the Health Secretary has not yet set a timetable for NHS reforms). Until then, the above options are your best bets.
