Millions Forced To Opt For Private Dental Treatment
This April the Government is forcing a new service contract on
dentists that includes a new pay scale, changes to their working
hours and surgery arrangements. Now dentists are not a
cantankerous profession, but there's widespread irritation and
disillusionment amongst them at the Governments seemingly
heavy-handed action. And they're determined not to be pushed
around.
As a result thousands of dentists are registering their refusal
to accept the new contract and have given their notice to quit
the NHS at the end of March.
This will create mayhem for clients. Many seeking treatment on
the NHS will be simply turned away. Those dentists who do accept
the new NHS contract will then face a flood of new clients
seeking treatment. The vast majority will again be turned away
as even before this bust up, there was a dire shortage of
dentists. Waiting lists are bound to be a mile long. No, sorry,
two miles long!
As a result, if you are desperate for treatment to a broken
tooth or an abscess, you'll be forced to search out a community
based dental surgery operated by the NHS itself. Ask your Doctor
for directions to the closest to you. The odds are they'll be
miles away. This means a long journey plus a hospital style
queue on arrival. Getting dental treatment will simply take all
day!
For many, private dentistry is the only alternative. Going
private means you'll get an appointment when you want one rather
than waiting for ages with the NHS, and you can pick and choose
your dentist. But it can be expensive. The only good news is
that there are solutions to keep costs under control.
You essentially have three key options: dental insurance,
capitalisation schemes or cash plans.
Dental Insurance The insurance industry has responded with a
whole host of varying dental insurance policies. The following
are just some typical examples:
Western Provident has been in the dental insurance market for
many years. Its Providential policy provides a basic level of
dentistry cover with fixed monthly premiums. For those aged 18
to 49 the premium is