What happens when you have to see a dentist unexpectedly? Situations like this do not arrive frequently, but they do occur at times. When such situations arrive, they arrive without any prior notice. So it is better to remain prepared for it. Dental emergencies include a range of conditions starting from a fallen of crown, a chipped or broken tooth to a severe toothache which keeps you awake all night and much more.
In the following sections of this post let us explore how to find a reliable private dentist near you who offers emergency, next day and out of hours appointments based on the condition of a patient. We will also cover few other relevant details.
Finding a skilled and reliable dentist near you
When are looking for a good dentist, in London or anywhere else, Google is your dependable friend. Other than it, there are other options for you, like –
- The Bupa website offers a list of private dental practices across London. The practices it lists work with Bupa health insurance.
- There is also Dental Guide which tells you about nearly 100 dental practices in London including both the NHS and private. An emergency dentist in London says this guide also includes guides for patients on varied but relevant topics like oral hygiene, orthodontic dentistry, general dentistry and others. In addition to that it also offers free online assessment of your tooth.
Standard fees of private dentists in London
As far as the United Kingdom is concerned, Bristol is the costliest place to see a private dentist. The place right next to it is London. The price of seeing a private dentist in London is 23% higher than that of the national average. The cost of private dentistry treatments is also much higher in London although the exact cost of any treatment is determined by certain factors. Some of the factors include the type of treatment, qualifications and experiences of a dentist, the location of a practice and others.
The fee for initial consultation with a private dentist ranges from around £50 to £100 on average. The price of the treatment varies widely and that we have mentioned earlier. The cost of RCT or root canal treatment usually ranges from around £200 to £900 per tooth. The average cost of extracting a tooth comes around to £150, whereas a dental filling costs within the range from around £80 to £150.
Treatment options when you are visiting London and struck with a dental emergency
Suppose, one is visiting London either from abroad or elsewhere in the United Kingdom and one is badly struck with a dental emergency. The condition is so bad that immediate intervention of a dental professional is necessary. In that case there is nothing much to worry as there are many private emergency dentists in London who offer emergency appointments to these patients.
Typical conditions in which people usually require an emergency dental appointment are the following –
- Unbearable pain or uncontrolled bleeding after a dental surgery
- A cracked, chipped or broken tooth
- A lost or convulsed tooth
- A tooth that comes out of alignment is knocked loose inside the socket
- A dental abscess in advanced stages showing the following symptoms – intense pain, swelling that spreads to the neighbouring areas of the face and the jaw, body temperature, difficulties in opening the mouth and others
If you sustain any injury of suffer an accident that leads to facial injuries or broken teeth, you need immediate intervention of a qualified medical professional. The same goes for if you develop difficulties in breathing or swallowing after an accident or injury. In both cases you should go to the A&E of your nearest hospital instead of waiting to get an emergency dental appointment, suggests a busy 24 hour dentist in London.
Emergency dental appointments – how much do those cost?
The cost of emergency dental appointments is not uniform and varies from both practice to practice and case to case. The price of such appointments is mostly determined on basis of certain factors. These include the type of emergency one suffers from, the treatment that was required and the pricing structure of the emergency cases the practice maintains and others.
Usually emergency dental appointments cost within the range from around £50 to £100. This cost usually covers consultation, assessment and dental x-rays if required. Additional treatments are usually charged separately and that may include extraction of the tooth, temporary fillings or crowns and others.
Does my health insurance cover the costs of dental treatments?
This is a relevant question. One’s health or travel insurance may cover the cost of one’s dental treatments but that depends on the exact policy one has. Moreover the dental practice you go to should work with that specific insurance provider suggests one of the best emergency dentists in London. In case you want to make use of your existing insurance policy, then you should check with the practice at the time of booking your appointment the expert says.
There is no obligation involved in informing your regular dentist before visiting a private dentist. But it is better to get proper documentation of any treatment you receive which you can pass on to your usual dentist to keep the latter in the loop. This is how everybody responsible for your dental health is kept updated.
About “next day” dental appointments
There are many private dental practices in London that offer “next day” appointments to patients. From the patient’s perspective this is a positive thing. One may not require an emergency or a “same day” appointment but want to see a dentist quickly. “Next day” appointments prove helpful in those circumstances.
Before you book an appointment with a private dentist, it is vital to make sure the dental professional is both fully qualified and registered. Qualified dentists have to register themselves with the CQC or Care Quality Commission and the General Dental Council as per the law existing in the United Kingdom. Dentists working at the Bayswater Dental Clinic in Paddington suggest you should check whether your dentist is listed on the website of the General Dental Council.
Also read: Few crucial Invisalign facts you cannot afford ignoring
