Orthodontics – Why More Patients Go Private
Orthodontics has hit the headlines as British patients are forced to go private.
Dentists are in short supply in many parts of the UK. And more people are being forced into going private simply because it's impossible to find, let alone get on the books, of an NHS dentist. Orthodontics may have advanced when it comes to treating chronic gum problems, offering clear braces and state-of-the-art teeth whitening, but trying to get a regular check-up from an NHS dentist is nigh impossible. As orthodontics continues to advance, British teeth may in fact get worse.
Orthodontics – Go Private
It's no wonder that so many people just go private. Looking after our teeth is just as crucial as looking after any other part of our health. Tooth decay can be excruciating, and for many people who lose their teeth, there are countless preventative measures that could have been implemented if they'd visited their dentists. Poor tooth care and avoiding dentists only results in more expensive orthodontics further down the line.
Regular Checkups Declining
A report in the Telegraph highlights that many children are simply not getting regular checkups at their dentist, but this could be laying the foundations for bigger problems in orthodontics when they grow up. And for many people who were registered with an NHS dentist, they are now finding they have no choice but to go private – recent figures say 1.2 fewer people saw an NHS dentist in 2007 because so many dentists had turned private. Orthodontics work can be hugely expensive, and it seems having fantastic teeth can be directly related to your bank balance. White, straight teeth are very much seen as a celebrity necessity – and something of a status symbol.
Poor Dental Health Costs Later in Life
NHS dentists are increasingly rare, and as a result more of the nation is finding itself desperately in need of orthodontics because of the lack of regular check ups. For those who want California-inspired teeth along the lines of Tom Cruise, orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry will be private – the NHS don't do cosmetic procedures. But even simple basic check-ups to help prevent decay and related complications are being denied to the vast majority of the British public. Dental health and orthodontics is crucial not just to having a fantastic smile – there's a proven link between gum disease and heart disease.
Speak to the Harley Street Dental Studio
At the Harley Street Dental Studio in Central London, renowned dentist Dr Mark Hughes and his team of highly trained clinicians offer outstanding care and attention to their patients. Favoured by celebrities of the sporting and entertainment worlds, the clinic offers treatments including dental veneers, tooth whitening, porcelain crowns, amalgam-free fillings and clear braces. To discuss your dental needs or make an appointment, contact the studio on 020 7636 5981 or fill out the online contact form.
