Anybody got dental cover / insurance?

[Raistlin]

I'm struggling to find a NHS dentist and think I might have to go private :-/

Anybody currently have dental insurance / cover of another sort and willing to recommend the company they're with?

Thanks

[Pog66]

I've been on denplan for a number of years and have no complaints. Really depends on teh state of your teeth to start with as that's how the premium is initially calculated.

[Taf]

Persevere with NHS... private will screw you out of so much money you'll cry. Find, and make a note of emergency NHS dental clinics in your area, and contact them for a list of available NHS dentists near you.

The more people there are trying to get NHS services, the more likely HMG will listen and get more to sign up.... though the present thinking that NHS dentists get paid too much might make more of them leave before the cuts arrive.

[bw41101]

I've been a member of Denplan (for some time) and it has served me very well indeed. The rates are very reasonable and I can safely say that it covers the majority of the normal type of dental work that anyone "should" ever need.

The only problem is that not all dentists are signed up for same - though I'm not 100% sure whether that actually matters.

Have a look and see what you think.

http://www.denplan.co.uk/

Si thee

[Raistlin]

Thanks guys - I'll take a look at those, will certainly try to persevere with an NHS dentist as well

[Maggy J]

I was lucky to find a NHS dentist..it took me several attempts and a lot of pain for 6 months.Finally found one through NHS direct .

If you do eventually have children I suggest persuading them into dentistry as it will set them up for life.

[MetaWraith]

Another thumbs up for Denplan here, but seriously the quality of work done by the Dentist is more important than the insurance.

Several years ago my dentist withdrew from NHS, and offered me DENPLAN. As he was imho the best dentist i've had, I signed up for Denplan and stayed with him. Two checkups and two hygenist appointments a year made regular as clockwork, all the treatment in the time i've been with them, including a recent root canal (took 2 visits, no pain whatsoever).

I recommend
1) Checking out how good people think any given dentist/practice,
2) See what insurance they recommend (they may get a referral fee)
3) Check the small print on any policy before signing.

[AdamD]

Probably a stupid question, but how the heck do you find a good dentist? Is there a review site or something similiar for dentists?

[Raistlin]

I've been looking, but can't find one.

I've had to pick a dentist which is near my work and I'll register their and see what they're like, if they're rubbish I'll try to move to a different one :-/

[Delta Whiskey]

My dentist went private a few years ago, and cut the number of clients in half. The nearest NHS dentist was ten miles away so I had no choice but to sign up with Denplan (and quickly otherwise the list would be closed). Not happy obviously, but what can you do?.

[Pauls9]

Having had good NHS dentists in the past, the last one was rubbish. (As my current dentist said, they must have been blind to miss a serious problem). When my employer offered Denplan I grabbed the chance and changed to the nearest Denplan dentist. Costs a fair bit and I'd recommend looking carefully to choose the right level of cover for your needs, but it was worth it to me, considering NHS dentists with vacancies are like hen's teeth around here. Although there are limits on how much they'll pay, the payback for my current treatment will be more than the premium this year. Maybe I can drop to a cheaper level next year.

[Maggy J]

Have you got a GP/Health centre?Why not ask there as they must have some idea?

[Raistlin]

Only just applied to register for a local GP - have found a dentist that seems to be taking new NHS patients, guess I wait and see if they're any good or not :-/

[Mr_love_monkey]

incidentally some reasonable information here about cutting dental costs / finding an nhs dentist : http://www.bitterwallet.com/bitterwa...al-costs/36689

[AdamD]

I tried two local dentists who always seemed to be accepting nhs patients, but it's clear as to why.

At the risk of sounding racist, which I'm not, one was an indian dentist, didn't speak English all that well and was very blunt/brutal, so that one was a no-no, I only went once, didn't return again.

Second dentist was a lovely English lady, couldn't fault her, she was gentle, but thorough, but it was the only dentist I've been to, which didn't have one of those small sinks where you could wash your mouth out with? (The little round sink which sits next to the chair, with the mouth rinse cup)
I found that a little odd.