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Huge dental cost variations

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 The cost of private dental treatment varies by up to 900%, according to a new survey.
 
The nationwide survey of 500 clinics nationwide by WhatClinic.com found that for a front tooth, the root canal treatment can cost £57 in Newcastle and as much as £600 in London, a difference of 953%. Dental check-ups range from £13 to £125 in London, while Birmingham residents can pay as little as £160 or as much as £650 for in-clinic tooth whitening.
 
The availability of such a wide range of prices is a sign of healthy competition in the UK's private dental industry, but patients appear to be unaware of the potential savings available.
 
 
The cost of a dental implant in Sheffield starts at £2,000, but for patients willing to travel just 40 miles west the price drops to £1,350 in Manchester – a saving of as much as £650.
 
 
A parallel survey of 500 UK visitors to WhatClinic.com revealed that 84% had put off dental treatment because of the costs involved. In addition, half of respondents admitted that they would travel more than 30 minutes to visit a more affordable dentist if they could, with 23% willing to travel in excess of an hour.
 
 
Philip Boyle, Marketing Manager at WhatClinic.com, said: 'By publishing pricing information for clinics all over the UK we're hoping to show patients that whatever their budget they can still look after their oral health.
 
 
'Even within cities, price differences can be dramatic. Price variations between clinics can be attributed to a number of factors but cost shouldn't be the only factor patients take into consideration when choosing a clinic.
 
 
'The experience of the dentists involved, the equipment they use and their location can all be factors in why prices vary from clinic to clinic. Members of the public should check online for additional information including qualifications, treatment reviews from past patients and customer service feedback so they can make a better informed choice when deciding which clinic is right for them.'

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£57 for a root canal treatment in a front tooth ? Must be filling the canal with sh....

Posted by Expat 27/7/11 at 18:59

....... probably not much rubber dam, etc either...

Posted by docholliday 27/7/11 at 19:55

i don't know any private dentist in newcastle charging £57 for an rct or maybes they use the special instruments the root canal forceps

Posted by steve 27/7/11 at 20:26

Doch £57 is less than the 3 "Nectar points" that dentists get from the NHS for this procedure. The average value per UDA/Nectar point is £20 in England. You figure out the quality of the RCT done for £57

Posted by Expat 27/7/11 at 20:28

steve - I'm 8 miles from Newcastle and I/we charge (eg) £135 for an incisor. I'm no supermodel, but I'm not going to get out of bed for Nectar Points. The NHS UDA factories are appalling - the 'dentistry' is the pits.

Posted by docholliday 27/7/11 at 21:56

What a pointless article. Might as well say a tIn of beams costs 49p in Aldi and £1.99 in Harrods.
...and if it's over 900% it's not "op" to 900%.
Poor!

Posted by dbqwerty 28/7/11 at 09:36

This simply demonstrates what a poor quality survey it was.

Posted by John Broughton 28/7/11 at 23:07

Interesting, what materials do they use to make price so low.... Good treatment usually costs a lot. And when you go to private doctor, you pay for special service and nice atmosphere. People who want to save money and go to local clinic and sit in long queue. There are so many comments about dentist services, I was even surprised, http://www.pissedconsumer.com/consumer-reviews/dental.html customers know so much.

Posted by Tommy333 3/08/11 at 21:32

Shock horror, free market shows up price and quality variations, how is this news?

Posted by chaswarner 11/08/11 at 16:25