Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What do you do for dentistry?

164 replies

Rolson77 · 15/05/2024 08:41

Just received a letter to say that my dentist is going private. There is not one NHS dentist taking on new patients in the whole city. I work full time but am on universal credit and my son and I haven't been to the dentist for a very long time. Even when we had an NHS dentist they weren't able to offer an appointment as all their NHS dentists left. I can't afford any treatments under denplan. A filling alone is £120+. So wonder what the point would be in even going on denplan. So, is that it? We just don't go to the dentist? I have considered travelling further afield, but just feel like it'll be expensive and a nightmare. The nearest dentist to me taking NHS patients is in London, and the train there would cost at least £80/90 for me and my son.

Feeling deflated. What does everyone do for dentistry?

OP posts:
Bushmillsbabe · 15/05/2024 09:14

Is there a Bupa dentist near you?
I understand that they take children on under NHS dentistry. Doesn't help you (sorry) but would get your child seen

Toodleoodleooh · 15/05/2024 09:11

I have a private dentist. £40 for an appointment and £20 for under 18 and students. Hygienist is £60 and X-rays are about £15 but he doesn’t do them often. I have a feeling under 5’s are free. It’s not too bad

Basicsandwich · 15/05/2024 09:07

Did go local and private for a while but it was too much money, as I need a lot of dental work

Basicsandwich · 15/05/2024 09:06

We travel out of area for a NHS dentist. It's about a 3 hour round trip!

henlake7 · 15/05/2024 09:05

Might be worthwhile getting on the books of an NHS dentist even if they are a distance away.
Only mention it coz I hadnt been for decades then developed really bad toothache, you dont want to be rushing around trying to find money or a plac to go if you are in pain and at least NHS have fixed costs.
I was extremely lucky though, the first dentist I called was taking NHS patients....and was at the end of my street!

Original poster
Rolson77 · 15/05/2024 09:04

Every dentist I have spoken with will only let my son register if I pay over £100 to register privately. I just don't have it. It feels like a money making process because they know most people registering just to get their children seen will pay the £100, never bother going to the dentist and will then just move as soon as an NHS dentist becomes available. It's all so disheartening.

OP posts:
LutonBeds · 15/05/2024 08:59

I was on Denplan for years (practice has now moved to another provider). The only thing I had to pay was lab fees when my crowns needed redoing. I’ve never paid for fillings or anything else as it was all included. Has this changed?

Original poster
Rolson77 · 15/05/2024 08:57

I honestly just don't know what to do. My son is 5 and hasn't been to the dentist for 2.5 years. I don't even think I can afford denplan. I'm budgeted up to my eyeballs.

OP posts:
dottiedodah · 15/05/2024 08:57

I have had to join Denplan.as after over 10 years, at my dentist he decided to go private! It works out about £11.00 pm for me and that covers 2 appointments per year .One dental check up and the hygienist a.s well. It is shit because you still have to pay on top for work carried out .I would defo get it though ,as you will need a dentist for your DC and there is very limited emergency care where we live (and probably other places!)

Solidlump · 15/05/2024 08:57

Totally sympathise. My dentist went private and I had no option but to take out Denplan. After the first year they upped the already high monthly payment, not because of the condition of my teeth, but because of their overheads. Then the practice was sold to a chain and the emphasis seems to be more on glossy presentation rather than any patient care.

But because of the lack of alternative and my fear of not having a dentist at all I feel I have to stick with them. I find the money, very unwillingly, and have total sympathy for people who can't afford it .

fieldsofbutterflies · 15/05/2024 08:50

I have DenPlan and the cost includes two check ups and two hygienist appointments each year, plus x-rays.

I can also get emergency appointments if.l needed and don't pay extra for those. I've had two problematic wisdom teeth removed in recent years at no additional cost.

I don't know the individual cost as I'm on a multi-plan with my parents, so it's cheaper than if I was paying for my own if that makes sense.

Beezknees · 15/05/2024 08:50

Fortunately I have an NHS dentist but if they went private I just wouldn't go to be honest. I haven't needed any work doing on my teeth for years anyway so I'm just paying for a scale and polish at my check up.

Bluevelvetsofa · 15/05/2024 08:47

Pay lots of money that I don’t really have.

Orangesandlemons77 · 15/05/2024 08:47

We are in the same boat and have been going to the private dentist for a while. It was OK up to around 3 yrs ago where it got much more expensive.

A couple of things help, a plan from simply dental online which covers some of the costs, and that they see the DC for free check ups until the age of 18. Oh, and the location

Swipe left for the next trending thread