What's happening with NHS dentists?

[Nix32]

If you're an NHS patient, are your dentists doing normal check ups yet? I don't understand why private dentists can do everything, but NHS seem to still be on emergency only appointments. I've been asked to call back in April.

My August check up happened, kids too. They are due to go back the end of the week

We've been trying to register with a new nhs dentist for months. The ones listed on the nhs website are all saying they don't have space or we can go private at £60 p/m. Eventually found one last week after a tip off from the plumber!

We had our check ups cancelled in May (obviously) they said they would get back to us to rearrange them. They haven't yet and I don't expect they will for a while tbh because our dentist only works one day a week and because there are 6 of us it was often awkward finding us a long enough appointment in pre covid times.

My children had check ups back in October (delayed from Easter) . Ds1’s orthodontist appointment has been postponed from 2020 to 2222!

My dentist has opened for NHS patients this month - just after my maternity exemption ran out

Ours is still closed except for emergencies. Our last appointment was in September 2019. I think it's terrible.

The orthodontist who works there is still seeing patients. My DD has been seen throughout.

The surgery my DH goes to has been open since June last year.

Mine is as normal - got an emergency appointment in December, had my routine check up last month and am going to the hygienist next week.

Im glad i saw thiss thread!

It reminded me to ring up and book ours.

They arnt taking adults , but will see the kids.

So they have got an appointment in april.

Just fingers crossed that they get to go .
We haven't seen a dentist for bloody ages

I pay denplan nearly £20 a month and I have been unable to see my dentist as I 'only' want a check up. I have not had a check up since October 2019. So I have paid over £300 for a service I cannot access. I would love to go to an NHS dentist but the waiting list for one here is over two years long.

We all should have had appts for a checkup last July which were cancelled but I got an email at end of dec to say we could book so I called and we were all seen at beginning of January. We’re NW

Just got a text yesterday saying they are rebooking everyone's routine appts from now (DD had actually already been for an urgent issue in the summer) and I booked the whole family in for early March.

I was contacted with an appointment for both kids last week and took them in on Friday. It was spaced out enough in the waiting room and the two dental staff wore face masks so I felt safe enough.

My NHS dentist is doing routine check ups.

My private dentist has been working for ages - I've just had my second check up in the pandemic.
The children's NHS dentist on the other hand is still emergencies only. Their dentist is wonderful, truly excellent, but that practice just seems to have shut down apart from phone calls.

Mine is open doing check ups and emergency services.

Orthodontist? Nothing.

I had an NHS checkup in January - rearranged from April last year. They contacted me to book it as they were working through their backlog of patients.

I’m glad I saw this thread! It prompted me to phone our NHS dentist and we’re booked in for routine check ups next week. They said they were going to start phoning round to rebook appointments in March, but were happy to book me in earlier as I called them.

They must be open - 50% of the children in my KW classroom are dentists’ kids!

I phoned mine just now, as I have been done every couple of months or so since last summer. I was due a checkup in November, and usually when I call, it's been, "we don't know when we'll be doing anything other than emergencies," and I was expecting the same this time. To my surprise, I'm now booked in for a check-up in mid-March with a screening call the day before, to check I have no symptoms.

My NHS March 2020 checkup was due just after Lockdown #1 started so that was cancelled. I got a text in early September telling me to call to book my checkup & was seen start October. Wasn't able to then book my next 6 month checkup as they said they were still catching up. I'll see what happens...
I'm happy to see them once a year if needs be but would hope to be seen in an emergency.

We were told they were emergencies only but maybe I should ring up. I was with the hygienist for gum issues too but nothing.

My teenage son had teeth removed prior to brace fitting, had brace fitted and 3 further adjustments since lockdown so that has gone ahead.

We've been seen in a family appointment this month.

We were previously seen Oct19 and had a check for April 20. My large filling came out and I managed to get an emergency appointment on 20th March. As I was there, he did the check anyway. I booked my/ family check up for October as things really weren't looking promising for April, and that got shunted off to Feb where we've now been seen.

I was in the middle of having treatment - replacing 2 crowns and 2 veneers and have had temporaries for almost a year.

Just tried calling, after reading this thread and the recorded message says they're closed for lunch between 12.30 & 2 (called at 12.15) but gives an alternative number for emergencies.
I'll try again later.
Frustratingly, a year ago, I was exempt from paying for dental treatment but as my circumstances have now changed, I'll no longer meet the criteria. However, I'll just be glad to get the permanent teeth fitted (whenever that may be) - every day I worry one of the temporaries will fall off/out and am very grateful that hasn't happened so far!!!

Mine (Scotland) keep posting on Facebook that they’re doing nothing but emergencies. Our last appt was the end of March last year and it was cancelled so none of us have been seen since October 2018. The youngest has never been seen.

Ours has reopened for check ups, they fit us in straight away last week and have a locum in on Saturdays and Sundays to ensure there are lots if appoinments. They still ran 45 mins late even though there was no one there though, guess somethings never change there