NHS alternatives at SpaDental

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Thank you for visiting this page. To help clarify your choices, we have directed you here to help guide you through alternatives to NHS care.

At SpaDental, we value all of our patients and genuinely want to help you continue in good oral health. Therefore, we hope you will consider our alternatives for accessing cost-effective independent care so we can continue to treat you.

Become a SpaDental Member to benefit from 20% discounts, or pay as a Guest patient.

What do you want from a dentist?

It’s important to consider how you’d like to access dental care, and your individual needs, before you come to a decision.
Here are three considerations:

My dental team – Can I trust someone else?
Location – I don’t want to spend lots of time or money travelling miles away. Will a different NHS practice be convenient?
No pain – I need dental care to be easy on my budget, but will my mouth start to hurt if I don’t visit a dentist soon? By becoming a Member you can access regular appointments tailored to your requirements.

Alternatives to NHS dental treatment

Please read on to learn more about our NHS alternatives. An increasing number of people are turning to independent dental care for the treatment they need as well as the wider range of treatments and quality materials.

You may choose to:

Become a SpaDental Member patient to spread the cost of dental reviews and hygiene treatments over monthly payments during the year. Additional treatments, including restorations and cosmetic treatments, are 20% lower in price as a Member.
We accept Guest patients too, but waiting times may be longer as we need to prioritise our Members.

Your questions answered

We know you’ll have questions about your dental care options. Here we’ve anticipated some of the questions we think you may ask. We hope our answers are helpful.

How can I see a dentist soon?

There are three alternatives, each offering different waiting times:

As a returning patient, you may become a SpaDental Member immediately. Then you only need to make three monthly payments to attend your first appointment as a Member.
Or, if you want to access treatment even more quickly, you can register as a Member so that you will benefit from the 20% discount during the three month waiting period. for your first Member’s appointment. This is beneficial if, for example, you want to whiten your teeth for a special event, and then access regular preventive care.
You may join the NHS waiting list, but you may wait two years, or even longer. While you wait for an NHS place to be available, you ca choose to become a Member, as you can end your Membership contract at any time after your first twelve monthly payments with just one month’s notice.

Is SpaDental Membership good value for money?

Yes, the amount you pay is 20% less for Members than for Guest patients. The appointment length is the same too, and we give priority to Members booking appointments.

The additional benefits of joining a plan are:

Payments are spread over 12 months.
There is a 20% discount on restorative treatments, such as fillings, ad cosmetic treatments.
Access to the DPAS Worldwide Dental Emergency Assistance Scheme.

Do I have to become a SpaDental Member?

No, you don’t have to become a SpaDental Member.

You can change your registration with the practice to become a pay-as-you-go patient. This means, however, that you are paying a Guest premium to access your dental care. Moreover, without regular visits to the dentist you may require more expensive and challenging treatments. We find that because Members visit the dentist more routinely, dental concerns are spotted earlier, before they become problems.

What is covered by my Membership plan?

SpaDental Membership covers:

dental examination
hygienist visit
X-ray: one bitewing if clinically necessary)

The number of appointments recommended for Membership depends on your needs. The fewer appointments you require over the year, the lower the monthly fee.

SpaDental has arranged an excellent value entry level Membership plan to cover one dental examination and one hygiene appointment. Please search our fees pages for more information.

If I choose to become a Member, am I able to cancel at anytime?

Do I get a discount on treatment charges if I'm on a plan?

If I become a Member, or I register as pay-as-you-go, am I able to also register on the NHS waiting list?

Am I able to choose the dentist or therapist I see?

Can my children be registered on NHS?

Become independent

We understand that becoming an independent patient, whether a Member or a Guest, is an additional expense. Yet we hope you will see it as an investment in your health for years to come.

Please consider the advantages of registering with SpaDental Plymouth as an independent patient.

Check our list of indicative fees for our full range of treatments here.

Join our SpaDental Plan

The best value alternative to NHS dentistry is our Membership plan that covers essential preventive care. For patients who wish to spread the costs of their annual dental care over twelve months, SpaDental offers a range of affordable options according to your oral health requirements.

If you decide to add your name to the centrally maintained NHS waiting list for our region, our understanding is that the wait may take over two years. While you wait to be allocated to an NHS dental practice, becoming a Member is a sensible alternative. This way you can maintain your oral health until you are able to resume NHS care.

SpaDental Membership covers a specified number of preventive care appointments and offers a 20% discount on routine restorative and cosmetic treatments. As a registered patient you may sign up for a renewable twelve month contract immediately, and have your first appointment after just three months. New patients must have a New Patient Appointment first to assess their clinical needs. Membership is the best way to keep up-to-date with your oral health.

Guests pay-as-you-go

Many patients choose to attend the dentist on a pay-as-you-go basis. Patients choose this option, because it is straightforward and allows choices. We recommend Membership as the best alternative, however, for priority access to appointments and excellent discounted care.

Re-apply for NHS care

External links to help you find an NHS dentist:

You may wish to re-register yourself on the NHS dental waiting list. Unfortunately, we understand that the waiting time is currently in excess of two years and may well be over three years due.

While you wait, we recommend you become a SpaDental Member patient, to keep up regular dental care. Alternatively, you may ask to book an appointment as a Guest when you feel you need treatment.

Keep in touch

If you have not already let us know your preferred alternative to NHS care, please record your preference here.