Torn between using a private vs NHS dentist

I've had some issues with pain in a tooth for awhile now, and thinking it's about time to finally head to the dentist.

However, I'm confused by my options with the NHS dentists. If my suspicions are correct, than the tooth probably has a cavity which I will want filled with porcelain/composite rather than the NHS standard amalgam. I've heard that an NHS dentist will put in a porcelain filling if I am willing to pay extra. But my question is how much extra?

Will it just end up costing the same amount that a private dentist will charge? Or do the other costs associated with an NHS visit balance this out?

If the dentist does NHS and private work, then they will charge you a seperate fee for the work you want to do privately. I believe the initial consultation will be at the NHS rate, however, which is probably cheaper than the fee a private dentist will charge. YMMV

It is probably best to speak to someone at the practice before you make an appointment to be sure.

If you shop around you'll find that most private dentists will post (or at least tell you) their list of fees. NHS fees are pretty standard (I think)

We use a private dentist instead of NHS. The private fees are about double that of the NHS dentists, but still considerably lower than anything we've ever paid in the U.S. It's worth it, IMO.

find a dentist/practice you like and trust, and go from there. Fees for treatment on the NHS are set. The initial examination/cleaning if 17 pounds. My husband had a filling and it was an additional 40 pounds.

We lost our NHS dentist here and had to find another practice, which we did. It's small and very personal, but most importantly, we like the dentist. We checked on private pay costs and they were more than double.

If you aren't with a practice, a private dentist will charge for initial exam, cleaning, evaluation and THEN the actual procedure, just like in the US. It may be cheaper than you were accustomed to, but may not. Just ask.

find a dentist/practice you like and trust, and go from there. Fees for treatment on the NHS are set. The initial examination/cleaning if 17 pounds. My husband had a filling and it was an additional 40 pounds.

Just a note here that the NHS charge for a filling and a check-up is £47 in total, not £17 first and then an additional £47.

The £47 covers the entire cost of treatment, from the initial exam/cleaning to the filling (and any appointments in between). So, if you pay the £17 at the initial appointment, you should only be charged another £30 for the remainder of the treatment at the next appointment.

Just a note here that the NHS charge for a filling and a check-up is £47 in total, not £17 first and then an additional £47.

Thanks. This does clear up some confusion.
I now have an appointment booked for tomorrow with a local NHS/private dentist. I have been really putting off registering with a dentist since moving, however the pain in my tooth is a fairly decent motivator! I instantly liked the office of the practice and the receptionist was very friendly, so it put some nerves at ease.

Still confused about how much more a porcelain filling is likely to cost even after asking the receptionist. Her response was just that it will be a combination of NHS and private treatment costs.

Oh well, it doesn't matter terribly. I just hate not knowing exactly what the expect.

and I posted an incorrect cost for DH's filling. It was 30 pounds; the 47 was filling plus the 17 for the initial exam & cleaning.

Good luck - I'm sure you will be pleasantly surprised! The most important thing is comfort with the dentist, IMHO, if you like the practice you will most likely go for regular visits and avoid future fillings.