DENTAL treatment has long been the stuff of nightmares for some. Childhood memories of cold waiting rooms, unwelcoming practitioners and instruments which appeared straight out of the torture chamber have been hard to shake for many.

These days, of course, modern dental surgeries tend to be considerably more "user friendly", you can usually even find a magazine less than three years old in the waiting room.

But a Daily Post investigation has revealed shocking disparities in both the advice and fees charged to private dental patients in our region.

Your correspondent visited four surgeries picked at random for a check-up and advice as to work needed on her teeth.

Our research found prices for a check up and quote for treatment stemming from that check-up ranged from £10.28 to £425. During the visits to the surgeries, the advice and comments also varied wildly.

One dentist said a filling was so loose she could lift it straight out but three other did not mention it.

Two said to stop consuming acidic drinks because they were causing teeth enamel to erode and it needed to be addressed now to stop it becoming a major problem, while the others did not.

One called the teeth "perfect". The latest industry research predicts spending on private dentistry will increase by 24% in the next five years, with the crisis in NHS provision a major motivating factor.

Earlier this year figures revealed Merseyside and Cheshire is suffering most when it came to patients trying to sign on with an NHS practice.

Tony Blair acknowledged for the first time that a promise that no-one would be forced to go private after 2001 had not been met.

According to Liberal Democrats research, only 26% of adults in Cheshire and Merseyside were registered on the NHS last year.

That was the lowest figure of any strategic health authority in England and had more than halved compared to the 59% registered in 1997.

According to the Department of Health figures, only 33% of children in the two areas are currently registered with an NHS dentist, down from 70% when Labour came to power.

But the government is bringing in legislation to regulate the private sector as more patients are forced out of the NHS.

It follows a super-complaint to the Office of Fair Trading in 2001 by the now-defunct Consumers Association.

It claimed there was a lack of price transparency in the industry and a lack of competition to bring prices down.

It found there was no real system of redress for patients with complaints and a failure by some dentists to comply with guidance from the British Dental Association.

Legislation has gone through parliament to counteract the problems and will come into force next year.

Patients' group the British Dental Health Foundation recommends patients looking for new dentists ask friends and family for recommendations and check qualifications on the General Dental Council's website.

They added dental practices will have different approaches to treating patients, which could explain the big differences between the advice given to our reporter.

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive, said: "Although this case may appear to show an inconsistency in the suggested treatments and costs provided by dentists it should be noted that clinical opinions can vary and there are many factors to take into account.

"At the first sign of a possible filling, some dentists will employ a watch and wait stance, enabling them to see how it develops, while other dentists may choose to address the issue straight away.

"In addition, you may get a lower treatment plan from your regular dentist than for a dentist you are seeing for the first time.

"This is because your regular dentist is able to watch your mouth develop and to keep an eye on any potential problems.

"A dentist who is seeing you for the first time may want to get any potential problems sorted out straight away, as they may be unsure of when or whether you will visit again.

"If you feel that your dentist is quoting you too high a price you can always get a second quote, though of course you will have to pay for that too."

A spokesman for the General Dental Council said: "Dentists working in the private sector can charge what they wish.

"There may be very legitimate reasons for two dentists to come up with two different treatment plans."

samlister@dailypost.co.uk

Dr Melissa Goddard, 37 Rodney Street, Liverpool

DR GODDARD told me she was checking the general health of my mouth as well as my teeth.

Once complete Dr Goddard said the enamel on some of my teeth was wearing away and recommended I have two fillings on the outside of the damaged teeth.

The problem was caused by acidic drinks such as orange juice and was made worse by abrasive electric toothbrushes.

Instead she told me the only electric toothbrush she recommends is an £85 Philips Sonicare because it was not abrasive. She also said one of my fillings was so loose she could lift it out and that it would need replacing immediately.

The consultation cost £70, including X-rays, with quotes for three fillings totalling £270 and a further £85 to buy the toothbrush bringing the total to £425.

Last night she said: "You will always get a different result from different dentists. I like to spend a good half hour with patients."

Mr Mohammed Al-Sharkawi, Childwall Priory Road, Liverpool

MR AL-SHARKAWI showed me into his surgery and carried out a five minute examination.

He told me everything was OK but I would eventually need to have some fillings replaced. He told me to change the way I was brushing to a circular motion as it was too harsh on my teeth.

He said: "You have perfect teeth. I think you are brushing too hard though."

The check-up cost £15.

Last night he said: "You have excellent teeth, and I could not justify doing anything to them. I believe strongly in preventative measures, but I also believe if it's not broken don't fix it."

Dr Fozia Hanif, Islington Dental Practice, Liverpool

THE surgery mainly takes NHS patients but sees patients privately on Thursday afternoons.

It took about five minutes to carry out the check up and I was told my teeth were fine but she would keep an eye on my fillings because they were quite old.

The check-up cost £10.28.

Nobody at the practice was available to make any comment last night.

Dr Andrew Healey, Crosby Village Dental Practice, Moor Lane, Crosby

WHILE filling out registration paper work at reception I was asked if I wanted to join the surgery's dental plan, which costs £9.45 a month and covers the cost of two check-ups a year and any X-rays as well as cutting 20% of treatment costs.

After my appointment I was told about the plan again and despite saying I was not going to sign up for it was told by the receptionist that she would put down I was "considering it" on my file..

Dr Healey told me I had erosion on some of my teeth caused by acidic drinks and food.

He said: "This is something that should be happening another 10 years down the line, we need to educate you on how to stop it."

He spent about 10 minutes explaining how to stop erosion getting worse by ditching whitening toothpastes and using a soft toothbrush.

He said I would need three fillings to repair the affected teeth.

The examination cost £25 with the quote for treatment coming to £200. Last night he said: "It's about the difference in personal ability from one dentist to another.

"There is a wide difference in ability, background, training and motivation.

"The price reflects the quality of the work and the time I can spend with a patient."