A £300 optional surcharge to perform what US dentistry rightfully considers the baseline standard of care is going to result in a lot of people’s teeth having subpar function and appearance.
But they don’t pay for almost anything routine in the UK. In the US my understanding is you are not typically getting any free dental care. £300 is not a major expense for a typical person in the UK.
I claimed that treating it as an opt-in extra, for additional charge — instead of the baseline standard of care — results in a lot fewer people receiving it, and thus, a lot more people with subpar dental function and appearance.
In other words, to save money, the NHS provides a lower standard of care as its baseline. Hence the popular idea that British dentistry is subpar.
I haven't tried to push the subject too hard but NHS dentists will at least in some cases just say "you'll need a crown afterwards" and that's that.
Also
> If you need treatment from more than 1 dental band as part of your treatment plan, you will only be charged the cost of the highest band. You will not be charged for each individual treatment.