GoingIn2011

Simple fillings for a start seem to be very pricey...
Also, just having your teeth cleaned - not that I have bothered for decades - but I was quoted 500+ dollars for that.
I don't really want to plough all of my savings into getting the family teeth done. In the UK, you can go NHS if you want cheap.
Short of flying to Vietnam, are there any cheaper options???

j19fmm

Wow that's scary!! I'm on Denplan in the UK, is there a comparable dental plan in NZ? I know it initially looks expensive (I pay £22 per month) but I can have just about anything done for free, including 3 visits for hygenist a year.
I've certainly had my moneys worth over the years.

Persephone

I'm a vet, I'll do it for half price and a beer

madao

There was a Groupon voucher for a check up, clean & polish for a Wellington dentist advertised the other day. Also came with $50 credit towards any work that needed doing.

Didn't trust it. 100% guarantee the dentist would find something extra that needs attention.

I'm going back to the UK for a visit in July. Booked in with my old dentist there for a check up

bourbon-biscuit

I don't think you should brag about that- bit of a piss take imo!

madao

Sorry, wasn't meant as a brag just a smilie which shows some teeth!

Iv not registered with a doctor here yet let alone a dentist but my partner has done with both so certainly agree the costs here are ludicrous.

GoingIn2011

I've found nothing so far.
I went about a year ago - ended up getting fleeced about 800 bucks to get my teeth cleaned! Was told I needed a filling (250) and a crown (2000). They offered me 6 months 0% credit as if somehow that softened the blow in real terms - that's 400 bucks a month, hmmm, not exactly affordable.

Fortunately my kids go free - I think - even so, I don't have a spare 400 bucks lying around per month.

Meanwhile my teeth go neglected. Of all the things that could make me pine for the UK, strangely enough, getting my teeth sorted is it at the mo...

Lb welly

Nowhere else in the world offers an equivalent to the NHS dentist scheme.
The dental provision in the UK is unsustainable long term thru NHS charges. There will be changes yet again in the coming years. I don't think British peeps realise what a good deal is given.

In New Zealand - school age children may have access to simple fillings needed - sometimes thru a school dental system (remember those?) orthodontic treatment is not covered. There is no dental provision for adults as far as I know but dental therapy and dentist schools in Dunedin and Auckland may be worth a shot. Not sure of the referral process.

Approach to dentistry is preventative- hygiene visits help to detect and treat any gum issues. Think of gums and bone as a foundation to support teeth.

Intake of sugar (food/drink) should only be up to 3 times per day. Drink more water than flavoured stuff in between meals.

YES I am a hygienist and therapist!

BEVS

No. I don't know of any cheap / cheaper option . Incredibly expensive & as a result we haven't kept up the care the way we would have in the UK, even being with private UK dentist. So very hard to save and afford it. That's why you see so many gummy smiles and dentures around. Cheaper to get a tooth pulled than get it fixed.

Lb welly

Brush at gum line 2x daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss or use interdental brushes daily will help to maintain a healthy mouth b😷

If I find anything out I will post here.

Genesis

$500 is an utter and total rip off for a simple teeth clean IMO. I would seriously think about complaining to their authority about that. It should be no more than a $100 or so to clean them...maybe another $50 cos you are Auckland.

Has anyone else been charged or quoted this much?

Snap Shot

I went to, 'Great Teeth' dentist in Wellington a couple of Mondays ago. (PRIME PROPERTY TOWER, LEVEL 10, 86-90 LAMBTON QUAY.)
I was able to use their half price offer for scale and polish. This cost me sixty bucks. That's about thirty quid. It was a 45 minute appointment with a hygenist in a formal proper dentists. I hadn't been to the dentist since leaving Britain over two years ago. I just wanted a dental professional to drill the calculus from the back of my teeth, plus any other relevant work regarding my teeth.

I filled in the health questionnaire prior to sitting in the dentist's chair. The questionnaire even asked me what music I would like during the treatment !

I remembered that the local FM station would be playing at the dentist or hygenist appointments at my UK dentist. So I just said leave the radio on, but playing softly.

I was in Wellington anyway that day so it was kinda convenient. It's not convenient for me to have a regular dentist so far away. So, it's no good for anyone far out of the Wellington area. I'll probably go to the same local dentist as my husband does.

The hygenist remarked that my wisdom teeth were starting to show signs of decay which was, as they say, good to know.

Jan n Neil

last time i went it was over 1200 bux for 2 fillings and a clean and a cleaning kit, i was a bit shocked

Neil

scrubbedexpat094

I think I paid around $175 for a check up, scale & polish last May in Orewa. I'm due back there next month and will need a filling or crown ( for the former). Could do without the expense as we are fairly skint right now.

Kin1of2

Does anyone know if Dentists in Aussie are cheaper? My partner has just been quoted $4,000 for an op to remove a wisdom tooth.