Inverleith Dentalcare

Why Is Private Dentistry So Expensive?

This is an interesting question that I have been asked on and off over the last 25 years. More so in the beginning of my career as a private dentist but increasingly again, more recently. This is possibly because with the reduced NHS dentistry availability more people are turning to private dentistry.

But maybe we need to understand,

What makes you feel that it is not worth the value assigned to it?

What do those fees cover for you?

How do you compare the fees charged by different clinics?

So first of all, let’s look at how the fees are decided.

Team

We hire the best team members who are skilled, dedicated to lifelong learning, and empathic. They will support you through your dental care.

The most skilled clinicians who will be treating you. It takes five years to train as a basic dentist. But the real training starts afterwards. Many dentists will choose to fulfil the minimum requirements to keep them on the dental register, and some will undertake further weekend courses so that they can provide the latest fad.

However, few dentists will go the extra mile by undergoing many years of advanced training so that they have a deep understanding of how to treat the regular problems that you will suffer competently. They will be able to highlight the problems that are brewing sooner.

This means that as a private dentist, they can offer you many options to meet your budget requirements. It also means that addressing these issues earlier will avoid the more expensive options later on. These dentists often supplement their extensive general training with a special interest in one treatment modality.

This means that you benefit from someone who has a detailed understanding of general dentistry and is able to offer you something that they have really honed their skills at. These clinicians will likely have self-invested between 5-6 figure sums in their training to benefit you. These are the clinicians that we hire.

Like everything in life, they are worth the higher investment to have as part of our team.

Business Overhead

Dental practices have fixed and variable overhead costs that need to be covered these include:

The best and latest equipment to ensure that you achieve predictable, consistent results.
Investing in quality materials is crucial for a dental practice as it directly impacts a range of outcomes. Superior materials ensure the durability and longevity of dental restorations, reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacements.

Dental Laboratories

The best labs employ skilled craftsmen to custom-make your dental crowns, onlays, veneers or dentures. High-quality laboratories with skilled technicians may come at a higher cost, but they contribute to better outcomes and longevity of dental restorations.

Cost of Compliance

The high cost of compliance in the UK ensures that the highest level of health and safety is taken care of on your behalf. This is often overlooked by potential dental tourists looking to have their dental work abroad but not understanding that they have a little comeback if events don’t turn out as anticipated. This is your health, and you might have one shot at getting it right. You can’t take it back to the shop and return it if things go wrong.

Investment in Training

The regular investment in training for all our team members ensures that we are at the forefront of dentistry.

Service & Piece-of-Mind

Quality dental care includes personalised service, thorough planning, and thoughtful consideration of each patient’s unique needs. Dental professionals invest time in diagnosing, planning, and providing comprehensive care, which is an invaluable aspect of dental treatment.

Time & Dedication

Dental professionals invest time not only during chair-side treatments but also in administrative tasks, planning, and reflecting on patients’ cases. This dedication often goes unrecognised, yet it significantly contributes to the quality of care provided. You might be surprised to learn that our clinicians may be working on your treatment plans during evenings and weekends.

The Cost of Neglect

Neglecting dental care can lead to more extensive and costly treatments in the long run. Regular dental health checks, preventive care, and early intervention are essential to maintaining oral health and avoiding more significant expenses later on.

What Does All of This Mean?

When comparing fees, these are just some of the factors to consider. Others are the practice’s reputation (really read what people say about them, not just how many reviews they have), the warranty provided for the work, and how they respond to your questions during your dental journey.

The perception that dentistry is expensive may be based on a need to understand its comprehensive nature, the level of dedication and expertise required, and the costs associated with running a high-quality, modern dental practice. Quality dental care should be considered a valuable investment in long-term oral health and well-being.

Remember that dentistry is not a product that can be monetised. It is a bespoke service provided by a dedicated team of professionals to help you maintain your mouth so that you can eat well, smile, communicate, and be intimate with confidence. What value do you put on these factors?

If you would like to find out more, please contact our team by calling 0131 552 4830 or emailing info@inverleithdentalcare.co.uk.

To book a consultation, you can use our direct online booking system by clicking here.

We look forward to welcoming you to Inverleith Dentalcare.

What Our Patients Are Saying

Inverleith Dentalcare

4.9

Based on 349 reviews

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Clara Gore

08:29 11 Feb 25

What a great gentle experience! Thank goodness for a lovely dentist

billy darling

08:21 11 Feb 25

Outstanding service as always

Amanda Robbins

08:15 10 Feb 25

Thomas Chan

11:20 07 Feb 25

David is very gentle and considerate with his patients. He explained every steps during the treatment. Very satisfied.

Gordon Clayton

10:00 06 Feb 25

Although a double appointment with the Hygienist is not my idea of fun, Rihanna and her Assistant were as usual very pleasant and took care to carry out the various procedures with care and ensure my comfort and provide good advice for future dental hygiene. Inverleith Dental practice can be recommended for care. .

chris fowles

15:27 30 Jan 25

I had an excellent hygiene appointment today with Brianna and Peter.They were very professional and the level of cleaning was second to none. I appreciated the advice that was given at the end of the appointment regarding my at home care.Thanks!

Brian Mulholland

14:23 06 Jan 25

I had a great experience at Inverleith Dentalcare. John McAleavey was very thorough during my check-up and used a camera system to create a 3D scan of my teeth, showing where plaque had built up, which was really helpful. Briana, the hygienist, did an excellent job, leaving my teeth feeling very clean. Overall, I was very pleased with the service and would recommend Inverleith Dentalcare, especially John and Briana.

Iwona Walkowiak

11:29 19 Dec 24

I was able to secure an emergency appointment as a new patient and was impressed by the friendly and welcoming reception staff. The dentists were both positive and highly professional, ensuring a smooth and painless removal of my wisdom tooth. Thank you so much for the exceptional care. I highly recommend their services.

Dona Easton

10:16 02 Nov 24

I cannot recommend this practice highly enough!It is a delight to visit. I am treated with courtesy, friendliness and respect from the reception staff. Likewise, my excellent dentist - Dr Chris Fowles, who is highly skilled and takes time to explain all the procedures to me, often on screen, which ensures my complete understanding of all my treatments.

David Wilson

20:26 15 Oct 24

Excellent service. Emergency appointment as lost a filling away from home. Staff were exceptionally helpful and supportive. From Reception through to Treatment it was a very positive experience. Should I move to Edinburgh I would be extremely happy to apply to join their books. Many thanksDavid Wilson

Jean Kenyon

18:00 12 Aug 24

David Neilson

16:45 08 Aug 24

Great dentistry. I would definitely recommend.

Susanne Goetzold

13:57 25 Jul 24

Really happy with this dental practice. Chris Fowles is an excellent dentist. He takes time to explain treatment and options and also explains what he is doing during check ups and treatments, so nothing comes as a surprise. Great for anxious patients. He also has a great sense of humour. Staff always really friendly and helpful.

Mariam Aziz

08:46 25 Jul 24

I would very highly recommend the Inverleith Dental clinic. They are very professional and really knowledgeable. The admin staff is very helpful and will get you the information that you need to make a decision abo the best treatments you need. Dr. John McAleavy is excellent. He was also very knowledgeable about my TMJ issues and he was really understanding during the appointment and he sign posted me to the tools I needed; this made me feel that he cares about my progress and the best outcome for my case. Overall, I had a great experience and I can confidently say that will come back to Inverleith for any follow ups and future dental needs.

mattias nuella

20:16 24 Jul 24

The staffs were nice and big ups to Dr. Chris, my consultation session with him was good and he was friendly.

Sandra Johnson

19:00 24 Jul 24

Could not ask for better treatment! Thank you so much for all your care, attention and kindness for my son Jay who is having treatment with Chris Fowles he has Cerebral palsy and cannot make it up the stairs so they use a room downstairs to support Jay, Chris has been so thoughtful and makes Jay feel at Ease and explains everything he is doing before he does it this really means a lot. Highly recommend to anyone.

Jo Nash

17:14 17 Jul 24

I met with Dr John McAleavey as a new patient for a consultation about my complex dental health situation. I'm a nervous patient and was instantly at ease on entering the practice. John really listened to my background story and quickly spotted the source of my problems that had been missed by other dentists. My assessment was the most rigorous I've ever received, yet very gentle. John took the time to explain everything thoroughly and clearly. I left the practice with a sense of peace that I'd found the answers I'd been seeking, and confident I was in the hands of expert professionals. I'd recommend them to anyone.

Rosemary Jamieson

19:58 05 Jul 24

I was anxious before my first appointment with Inverleith Dental - my dentist of 25 + years had retired and I needed a practice nearer home - but I should not have worried!The welcome from the receptionist was lovely - The initial conversation with the dentist was very helpful - I learned about the ethos of the practice and felt I was being listened to - in addition this chat took place before the mouth examination so I was not in the reclining position which can put the patient at a disadvantage!The receptionist was most helpful with my mobility problems on leavingThe beautiful Georgian building is a bonus

Ookii Neko

11:50 09 Jun 24

I found Inverleith Dentalcare as I needed emergency dental treatment. They were very accommodating and managed to allocate an appointment the next day. Their service is second to none with professional and caring staff, dentists take the time to explain the procedure to the patient, and use modern standard techniques, materials and treatments. Worth every recommendation.