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Q&A: Affordable dental treatment
BH, Stratford, asks
I've always been lucky enough to have access to an NHS dentist, but it has now closed. The problem is that all the other dentists local to me are private and there are no NHS lists. As I earn just £15,000 and live in London, I can't afford to spend hundreds on dental treatment, especially crown replacements, which I will need within the next year. Are there any ways of finding affordable dental treatment or insurance that will help me pay for my treatment?
Joanne Roberts, director at online IFA NeedAnAdviser.com, replies
To locate a dentist that still does NHS work, contact NHS Direct, on 0845 4647. You can also view details online at nhs.uk.
You say that your NHS dentist has closed. NHS Direct says that, in this event, the funds and responsibility to provide NHS dentistry remain with your Primary Care Trust (PCT).
In an emergency, NHS dental care is always available, whether or not you have a regular dentist, and the PCT is responsible for providing the treatment you need. This is one benefit of the new NHS Dentistry Regulations that were introduced on 1st April 2006. There are lists of NHS dentists available on the NHS Direct website, mentioned above. Some only take emergencies but others are open to take on new patients.
Dental insurance
Dental insurance is becoming increasing popular because, as you have discovered for yourself, NHS treatment is becoming increasingly hard to access.
Private dental insurance contributes towards the cost of routine treatment as well as treatment for serious dental-problems and dental emergencies. The most competitive provider, based on an assumption (for the purposes of giving an example) that you are around 40 years of age, is WPA, which charges £11.25 a month for the following cover, if you buy online:
Routine treatment up to £250 per year
Dental emergencies up to £1,000 (£250 per episode with a maximum of four per year)
Dental accidental injuries up to £20,000 per year
Serious problems up to £10,000 per year
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