Huge dental cost variations

 The cost of private dental treatment varies by up to 900%, according to a new survey.
 
The nationwide survey of 500 clinics nationwide by WhatClinic.com found that for a front tooth, the root canal treatment can cost £57 in Newcastle and as much as £600 in London, a difference of 953%. Dental check-ups range from £13 to £125 in London, while Birmingham residents can pay as little as £160 or as much as £650 for in-clinic tooth whitening.
 
The availability of such a wide range of prices is a sign of healthy competition in the UK’s private dental industry, but patients appear to be unaware of the potential savings available.
 
 
The cost of a dental implant in Sheffield starts at £2,000, but for patients willing to travel just 40 miles west the price drops to £1,350 in Manchester – a saving of as much as £650.
 
 
A parallel survey of 500 UK visitors to WhatClinic.com revealed that 84% had put off dental treatment because of the costs involved. In addition, half of respondents admitted that they would travel more than 30 minutes to visit a more affordable dentist if they could, with 23% willing to travel in excess of an hour.
 
 
Philip Boyle, Marketing Manager at WhatClinic.com, said: ‘By publishing pricing information for clinics all over the UK we’re hoping to show patients that whatever their budget they can still look after their oral health.
 
 
‘Even within cities, price differences can be dramatic. Price variations between clinics can be attributed to a number of factors but cost shouldn’t be the only factor patients take into consideration when choosing a clinic.
 
 
‘The experience of the dentists involved, the equipment they use and their location can all be factors in why prices vary from clinic to clinic. Members of the public should check online for additional information including qualifications, treatment reviews from past patients and customer service feedback so they can make a better informed choice when deciding which clinic is right for them.’