Talking to young dentists and dental students is a common activity that I do a lot of. My common goal is to work in private dental practice.
I have held both administrative and clinical positions in the NHS as well as privately. Over the last 11 years, I’ve seen firsthand the differences between each environment. This applies to both general practice and hospital settings.
Private dentist jobs offer many perks. There are some things to keep in mind if you’re considering changing to private dentistry.
Private work has the greatest advantage for me. There are no targets. This allows for some calm and clinical freedom.
Private practice allows me to present all options to patients, regardless of cost. They decide if they want to proceed with treatment. It is not necessary to think about what “band” you will fall under, how much you will be paid for treatment, or whether your claim for work has been properly filed.
Private dentistry is a practice that charges for time. Additionally, you will be charged for laboratory and materials costs. Complex work such as articulation, wax ups and extensive planning comes at a higher cost than the dentist.
This makes it more likely that the patient will receive the best possible treatment. It isn’t just about the money. However, it is not possible for dentists to pay for treatment courses for patients while working under the NHS system.
Patient rapport
It is easier to establish a relationship with patients when you spend more time with them. The dentist can clearly explain the treatment options, which allows them to answer any questions.
A large percentage of complaints are a result of miscommunications. I spend more time making sure that everything is covered.
While there are no rules that say a NHS dentist can’t spend as much time with patients, it is very difficult to meet UDA targets with 20-minute exams and 60-minute restorations every single time. Private practice can set their prices according to their needs. You can account for the timing of appointments in the cost.
Working privately has made it easier for me to discuss more complicated treatment options. Patients expect to pay for all treatments. Most people understand why they do this. There are gray areas in the NHS regarding what is covered.
When treatment is required to be paid privately, this can put dentists in a difficult position.
Private problems
There are many negatives to any job. Before you move to private practice, it is important to be aware of these.
Patients don’t realize that private dentists can be as good or worse than NHS dentists. Multiple times, I have seen patients who were advised by their NHS dentist that a tooth was not restorable. They then came to me for a second opinion and stated they believed I could save the tooth since I am a private dental practitioner.
You will not always get what you pay. Private dentistry is not a profession that requires a particular qualification or level of experience. This is something that patients don’t always realize.
Expectations higher
Second, higher expectations are possible. This is my personal opinion. If I’m paying more for something, I expect more. For example, if I travel first class, stay in five-star hotels, and eat in a Michelin restaurant.
It can be difficult for dentists to manage these expectations. Sometimes, spending more money will not solve the problem. You might have severe tooth mobility, facial pain or oral medicine conditions.
Patients are increasingly seeking information about prognosis, success rates, and how long treatment will last. All dentists should be able to manage patient expectations.
It was difficult for me to initially discuss the costs of treatment with patients. It’s not because I think the time and treatments I provide aren’t worth it. I did this because I was unfamiliar with these conversations. I was afraid that patients might dislike me for charging them, or make assumptions about my abilities (not many people admit that dentistry can be expensive).
Because I believe I provide quality care, always putting my patients first, and taking the time to get to know my patients, I feel more comfortable charging a fee per item.
It can be difficult to get used to, and it isn’t for everyone.
Things to Consider
Last but not least, it is important to remember that private dentists do not get maternity pay. You also do not receive a pension contribution. These factors might not be an issue if you plan early. You might make more privately, which could help you cover the difference for your maternity pay. It is a disadvantage that you should consider when leaving NHS.
There are many private options for pensions and other ways to protect and save your money. The NHS pension contribution is, however, super secure.
Dentists in private and NHS practices can provide amazing, ethical dentistry. However, I find it easier to provide the kind of dentistry that I love in my private practice. I never feel pressurised to consider numbers/targets/quantities in my work, which I know would cause me a significant amount of stress.