How does the approach to NHS and privately funded prosthetics differ?

Most NHS restorations deliver a reasonable degree of patient satisfaction and achieve a significant improvement in the patient’s quality of life, this is down to the skill of both the dentist and the laboratory technician as they collaborate to make the most of limited, financially constrained, possibilities.

Private patients, however, expect much more, regardless of whether their prosthetic teeth are fixed or removable; they want only the highest levels of comfort and functionality, but also aesthetics indistinguishable from natural dentition. For many, they feel they are investing not only in their teeth but also their appearance, and this last consideration, irrespective of the cost, is stretching the remit of NHS dentistry. 

Private practices cannot survive without providing absolute patient satisfaction – unlike NHS practices, they have no guaranteed contract income, and their patient list is not ‘captive’ with often no alternative destination – and so the private practice’s choice of laboratory is crucial. 

Although many laboratories work for both NHS and private practices, the advent of CAD and more advanced technology, together with a range of new materials, has widely expanded the prosthetic options when cost is not a primary consideration. At the same time, the quality of laboratory output is still heavily dependent on the technicians’ skill, and private practices must, above all, be profitable. The laboratory should always advise regular customers of the economic advantages of bulk purchasing, whether of materials or the finished prostheses.

From the laboratory’s point of view, NHS work, although relatively repetitive, tends to be subject to onerous time pressures, while the private laboratory is able to dedicate much more time to each case to ensure the optimum outcome.

A key factor in the different approach to private prosthetics is the range of material options, with ceramics becoming increasingly popular, especially when the patient shows an allergy or aversion to a metallic construction. At the same time, neither practice nor laboratory should automatically assume that for all private patients money is no object – a tariff encompassing a choice of materials delivering comparable results is highly advisable in the present economic climate.

Stressing the advantages and benefits of a private prosthesis is not to denigrate in any way those produced for NHS patients, who are fully entitled to expect a functioning, visually acceptable result. Nevertheless, the additional expense incurred by the patient who chooses to ‘go private’ will naturally be reflected in a higher quality outcome in terms of detail and aesthetics. Dentists should never forget that their restorations are in effect a free, constantly ‘onscreen’ walking live advertisement, and a satisfied patient will always recommend friends and family to visit the practice.

Modern dental labs such as Sparkle Dental Labs Ltd. are aware of the expectations their customers harbour. This is why they seek to provide craftsmanship of the highest quality for both NHS and private work. They also take into considerations other factors that customers are looking for, such as competitive prices, free logistics, free traceability, a rapid turnaround (3days guaranteed for urgent requests) and sourcing all active materials in the UK. Combined with a passionate commitment to delivering the very best customer service, the future is looking bright for the British dental laboratories.

For additional more information please call 0800 138 6255, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.sparkledentallabs.com

William Lyons is Head of Prosthetics at Sparkle Dental Labs.

I was attracted to dentistry as a career during secondary school and I have been a qualified dental technician from the age of 20.  I have been involved in all aspects of dentistry and I am passionate about high standards, commitment and patient satisfaction. As Head of Prosthetics at Sparkle I can share the knowledge I have gained over 30 years. My experience and communication skills will ensure a professional relationship with clients to allow Sparkle to meet every expectation.

Maddy Managooli is Technical Manager at Sparkle Dental Labs.

I have been in dentistry for14 years, having worked as a dentist, dental technician and Head of Quality Control for one of the biggest labs in the UK. I am very excited about the Sparkle project as we have the best technology and a highly skilled Technical Team to deliver superb quality prosthetics at affordable prices.