Private dentistry has found itself under the media spot light this week, as it has emerged that some surgeries and clinics and charging as much as five times more, in some cases even higher, than other clinics offering the same or similar services. A report by the Daily Mail has highlighted the issue in a bid to raise awareness.
The findings show that there are huge variations in treatment costs, dependent on where you go. A clinic on Harley Street, Central London, was amongst those named in the report, stating that they charge ninety-five pounds per check-up, compared to a clinic in South Harrow, West London, who charge twenty pounds. There were also obvious regional differences, with a clinic in Cobham, Surrey, charging five hundred and fifty pounds for teeth whitening, compared to a surgery in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who charge seventy-five pounds.
Experts have said the issue is down to lack of regulations in place to monitor and control the amount that private clinics are charging patients. With each surgery being able to set their own prices, it makes it easy to charge extortionate amounts. Joyce Robbins from Patient Concern expressed her views on patients needing emergency treatment, “Patients are being ripped off. They really are at the mercy of these clinics. Patients won’t necessarily be able to pop down the street and find another – they won’t have the choice.”