Why do patients choose independent dental care?

More and more people are recognising the benefits of independent dental care. Our expectations of how our teeth should function and look are very different this century to last century.

The best way to have a healthy and attractive smile, it to take responsibility. This is what independent dentistry is all about. We champion preventive care and, if necessary, aesthetic and long-lasting restorations. Dentists these days want to help you keep your teeth and gums in good condition (and your family’s too).

What is independent dental care?

Independent dental care is becoming a preferred term for private dentistry. It reflects how patients needs have changed, because the focus is on patients making their own choices.

You can make your own decisions about how you want your teeth to look and feel. You’re in control of the quality of the materials used and even the treatments that are available to you.

For example, if you need a filling in a back tooth, you may not want to have an amalgam filling. Even though it would not be visible most of the time, it may show when you laugh, or if you sing and sometimes if you’re just talking. With a modern composite filling that blends with your tooth’s natural colour, it would take a dentist to spot that there’s a filling there. The NHS covers composite fillings in front teeth, but not in back teeth, so this is just one situation when you may want to make your own decision about what kind of care you’d like to give to your teeth.

There are other times too when you may want treatments that are not on the NHS. Perhaps you’d like to have whiter teeth or a particular type of denture. It’s good to talk to your dentist about the different options that are available to you.

Preventive care comes first

The aim of modern dentistry is to prevent the need for challenging and expensive dental treatments. By championing preventive  care, our aim is for patients to follow good oral hygiene routines at home to help keep their teeth in tip-top condition.

Over and above home care, independent dental care enables routine visits to the dental hygienist for thorough cleaning away of plaque and access to the sort of treatments that help your smile to look healthy and youthful.

Can I afford it?

There are two ways you can become a private patient.

Pay-as you go: Some patients prefer to pay for the care they need as they go along, this is truly independent as there are no restrictions.

Join a plan: Others prefer to join a Dental Plan. Across our SpaDental practices we offer a range of different tiered plans to help patients spread the cost of treatment in monthly payments. Your dentist will help you to decide which payment plan suits your needs. The advantage of joining a dental plan is that it usually encourages attendance at the dentist for patients who are reluctant to attend.

• Read more about how to pay for your dental treatment here

We are all so used to paying monthly subscriptions for everything these days, from the vet’s plan to entertainment and communication services, that it really makes sense to pay a monthly contribution for the essential services a dentist provides too. (It’s quite likely to be cheaper than your pet’s plan!)

The real question is “Can I afford not to?”

Teeth that are not checked regularly are more likely to become infected. the same goes for gums. Regular dental checks identify concerns before they become problems, and can save you from much more expensive treatments later. If your teeth and gums stay healthy, you are less likely to need to spend money on restoration work, such as crowns, bridges or implants. And, as healthy teeth look nice anyway, you’ll have a smile to be proud of.

Independent dental care is dentistry that you’re in control of. By taking responsibility at home for keeping your teeth healthy, and also get regular support from dental care professionals, it’s possible to keep teeth looking and feeling good for longer.

Get in touch to ask how you can benefit from effective independent dental care.

Patients also ask:

• Why are my gums bleeding?
• Should I get my teeth whitened?
• How can I pay for dental treatment?

Useful Links & Information