Jude J

Its on the corner of Anzac Road its called Browns Bay dentist or something very original like that! I saw a female dentist and she was lovely. I'm not scared of going at all, its just the paying for it that keeps me awake!

simonmarkellis

It's alright Maz he didn't pull it, just a simple filling costing $90 (phew). Though he does recommend a cap in the not too distant future...

Maz

Super! (apart from the cost...)

helinuk

Is there an insurance for dental work in NZ?

We've used HSA in UK and it's been worth it, when our dentist went private and we had root canal and fillings done glad HSA paid 50%!!

danny.f

Tell you what Si-that's not too bad! Nice one!

luvwelly

Maz
Could you show me a decent US dentist who'd do a filling for the equivalent of NZ$90? I don't think so, you have the highest dental fees in the western world I understand.
In fact it's really cheap isn't it....if the exchange rate were say 3 NZ dollars to one pound it would only be £30...that's cheap even by UK NHS standards.

TLC and painlessness is more important to me than cost. My check up appointment hasn't come round here yet but from what I can make out the dentistry standards here are good.....looking at websites, more dentists in Wellington seem to offer healozone than in the whole of the UK put together and it was invented in the UK!

Danny - best to go before the tooth hurts...it's usually more expensive if you wait .

andy480

Dentist seems pricey in NZ? seeing as in the last 6 months or so I've lost couple fillings and 2 crowns/caps fell off maybe it could be a good idea to have all my teeth done (NHS) before i was to move out?

As in once I sell up house i "could" be unemployed and claim benefits

P2L

Someone here said recently that if you are registered with an NHS dentist, you can still visit them for up to 3 years after registering. Based on that theory, if you 'pop back' every couple of years you should still be covered.

Only problem is if you want an emergency appt, bit far to go

simonmarkellis

Your right there.... he quoted me $1000 for a cap in Welly, my sister in Auckland was quoted $3000. Why the difference i ask?

Maz

Please don't hurt yourself when you fall off your high horse. You obviously missed my point, which is that any cost for dental treatment is, IMNSHO, too much. OK I'm dating myself here, but dental check-ups and all treatments used to be free in England.

Now please calm down, I don't run the dental industry so should not be expected to defend it. Sheesh.

That's a very good question, and one that I hope you can get an answer for!

pangor

"Your right there.... he quoted me $1000 for a cap in Welly, my sister in Auckland was quoted $3000. Why the difference i ask?"

"That's a very good question, and one that I hope you can get an answer for!"

Dentists of course are in business like everyone else. The cost will vary depending on each practice's overheads, the treatment offered, the dentists qualifications and experience and of course the going rate in each area.

In my practice we charge a lower rate to regular patients compared to the "only when it hurts " more casual attenders. We also have a receptionist as well as nurses ( some dentists just work themselves or with a combined nurse/receptionist ) and, I like to think a more relaxed friendly atmosphere, we take the time to talk to you as a patient (hopefully making it all a less harrowing experience all round) as well as doing the best work we can. But all this has to be paid for of course !

The NZDA does a survey yearly on costs nationwide here -

http://www.nzda.org.nz/pub/resources...eesurvey07.pdf

peter

Jude J

I've just had the first bit of work done this morning. Two rather large fillings, total cost $560.
It hurts now the injection has worn off

Frenchy

My dentist here in Blenheim is lovely
Had 2 massive fillings replaced just over 1 hour job. The most gentle procedure ever, cost $310 fab!!!

He is a super South African guy he even locally gels the gum prior to injections.
Think he may have noticed what a chicken I am!!!!!

ballsrburning

Hopefully someone can answer this.

If you had medical insurance covering the dentist wouldn't the cost of work be free?? If this is the case why don't members join these insurance companies, or am I missing something about how it works over there?

Russ

luvwelly

Probably but I found in the EU country I was living in before I came here that it was more cost effective (especially if you have some savings behind you for emergencies) to just do 'pay as you go' for dentistry rather than shell out a monthly or annual premium which you will most years not get anything like the full value back on. Plus I also hate filling in insurance claim forms to get my money back!!!

Also policies usually only cover you up to certain levels and would often exclude any work which is not strictly necessary for dental health.