Why Dental Care Matters When You're Running a Lettings Business
You spend your days managing repairs, chasing deposits, handling emergency callouts at 11pm on a Sunday. The last thing you think about is your own health. But here's the thing: when you're self-employed or running a small lettings agency, you can't afford to be out of action for weeks because of dental problems.
A botched root canal or sudden abscess doesn't care that you've got three viewings scheduled and a boiler breakdown in Acton. Neither does toothache at 2am when you're reviewing lease agreements. Yet many property professionals put off proper dental care because they're unsure whether to go NHS or private, or they don't know the right questions to ask.
This matters more than you think. Regular check-ups catch small issues before they become expensive emergencies that actually disrupt your business. And unlike a burst pipe, you can plan around dental appointments.
The NHS Route: What You Actually Get
If you're registered with an NHS dentist, you'll pay a fixed charge per course of treatment. As of 2024, that's roughly £24 for a basic examination and £65 for treatment involving fillings or scale and polish. More complex work sits in Band 3, around £306.
The catch? Many NHS dentists in built-up areas aren't taking new patients. Try finding an NHS dentist in central London or Manchester right now. You'll be searching for weeks. The NHS Choices website says there are spaces, but that information updates slowly and often isn't accurate.
On the plus side, if you're genuinely struggling to find an NHS dentist locally, you can contact your local Integrated Care Board (ICB). They're supposed to help. In practice, they sometimes offer an emergency referral service or a limited list of providers who are accepting patients.
NHS treatment typically takes longer to arrange. If you need a crown, you might wait six weeks for an appointment, then another six weeks to come back. Private providers usually fit you in within days.
Private Dentistry: The Speed and Flexibility Trade-off
Private dentists aren't regulated by fixed bands. A private check-up typically costs £50 to £150 depending on your location and the practice. A filling might be £80 to £200 per tooth. A crown could run £800 to £1,500.
The upside is immediate access. Most private practices have appointments available within a week. If you wake up with a problem on Tuesday, you can often get seen on Wednesday. When you're managing properties, that kind of flexibility is genuinely valuable.
Private dentists also tend to spend longer with you. A private check-up might be 30 minutes. An NHS appointment is often 20 minutes, sometimes less when practices are under pressure.
Some private practices offer membership plans. You pay a monthly fee (typically £15 to £50) and get discounted treatment rates. This can work out cheaper than paying per treatment if you need regular work done.
Hybrid Approach: Mixing NHS and Private
You don't have to choose one or the other permanently. Many property managers register with an NHS dentist for routine check-ups and use a private dentist for urgent problems or more complex treatment.
This works particularly well if you're in an area with NHS availability but prefer faster private treatment for anything substantial. You get your free NHS check-up every two years while maintaining a private relationship for when you actually need it.
Questions to Ask Any Dentist Before You Register
- Do you have availability for new patients right now? Not next month. Now. If they say they'll add you to a waiting list with no timeline, keep looking.
- What's your emergency policy? Can you get seen the same day if you have sudden pain? How do after-hours emergencies work?
- Do you offer digital X-rays or is everything film-based? Digital is faster and involves less radiation. It's a sign of a modern practice.
- What payment methods do you accept? If you're self-employed and need to claim treatment as a business expense, you need clear invoices.
- How long is a standard check-up appointment? Anything under 15 minutes suggests they're rushing.
- Can you provide treatment plans in writing? You need to know costs upfront, especially for private work. No surprises.
- Are you registered with the General Dental Council? This should be obvious, but confirm it. Check the GDC register online if you're unsure.
- Do you have cancellation appointments available? If you need to fit in a quick visit around business commitments, can they squeeze you in?
Red Flags to Watch For
Avoid any dentist who insists on unnecessary treatment. A good dentist explains what they're seeing and why they recommend something. A bad one just tells you that you need £5,000 worth of cosmetic work you never asked for.
If a practice can't get you in for an emergency within 24 hours, they're overbooked. That means your regular appointments will get delayed too.
Watch out for practices that only accept cash or cheques. Legitimate businesses take card payments and provide proper receipts. This matters for your own record-keeping and tax purposes.
Making the Decision Based on Your Situation
If you're in a major city with decent NHS availability and you're happy to wait for appointments, register with an NHS dentist. Your costs are predictable and low.
If you need quick access to dental care or live somewhere with limited NHS options, private is worth the extra cost. The speed alone often justifies it when you're trying to keep a business running smoothly.
Realistically, most property managers end up with a hybrid approach. You'll have an NHS dentist theoretically on file and a private dentist you actually use when something needs sorting.
Whatever you choose, get registered now. Don't wait until you have toothache at 3am and you're frantically ringing round desperate for availability.
