NHS dental appointments: Dental appointments in Costa del Sol are cheaper than private clinics in the UK. Here is the reason

Does it cost a lot less to fix a dental appointment outside the UK in Costa del Sol including flight fares, stay and perhaps a holiday too? As the waiting period for a doctor’s appointment at the National Health Service (NHS) increases, people are finding creative solutions to this challenge. A woman and her 16-year old daughter travelled all the way to Costa del Sol for a dental appointment and came back and apparently spent a lot lesser than a private clinic appointment in the UK. Elena Veysey decided to take her daughter named Ella to the Spanish town after she was warned that the NHS waiting period could be at least two years, unless she was willing to shell out £300 at a private clinic. This has been reported by the Mirror.

Expenses:

On the basis of a relative’s recommendation, the mother and daughter decided to fix an appointment at a clinic in Costa del Sol for £70. Elena described the other expenses as £25 for a flight ticket between Bristol to Malanga and £39 for the return tickets. They secured an over-night stay through one of the travel websites for £40. This is much cheaper that what an appointment at a private clinic would cost in the UK. Ella wanted to take out two of her teeth and would have had to wait for at least two years for an appointment with one of the NHS approved dentists. Elena added that this was a 24-hour trip and those who are interested could take a holiday too.

NHS issues:

The waiting time at the NHS has become an election issues. The residents of UK have long complained about the long waiting time to get a medical appointment. In many cases, the waiting extends anywhere between 6 months to 2 years and beyond. The Labour Party has promised to provide 700,000 extra dental appointments including 100,000 for children. They have promised to focus on tackling mental health challenges.

FAQs
Is NHS treatment provided free of cost in the UK?
For the ordinarily residents of the UK, the treatment at NHS is free of cost. The ordinarily residents must be staying legally in the UK and property settled basis. They may be asked to prove this.

Is a dentist appointment free of cost at the NHS?
No, patients will need to pay for the appointment and the services offered. However, certain categories of people such as those on low income are exempted.