Leave my NHS dentist

[Soul2Squeeze]

I’ve been an NHS dental patient for the last 10 years. I know, I’m really lucky! On top of that, he’s a really nice dentist and I usually don’t have to wait too long when I have a problem.

BUT. Over the last couple of years I’ve lost loads of molars. I had massive fillings as a 70s child and my teeth are breaking around the fillings. I had one out last week, and I’m having another out tomorrow. i’m fed up of the pain, I’m getting paranoid about whether the gaps are visible when I smile, and I’m even frightened to brush my teeth (I lost half a tooth last year when I was flossing, it just bounced off the mirror!). I’m just waiting for the next to break… and the next… and the next…

I could do with a good chat to a dentist about the state of my remaining teeth, whether any preventative work can be done, and what options for restoration I have (dentures really, couldn’t afford implants). But the NHS service seems really just about dealing with the broken teeth as and when they happen. And now I’m thinking that perhaps I should go private to get a fuller/better service. Or is that idiocy when I’m lucky enough to have an NHS dentist?

I'm sure if you talk to your dentist that he'll be able to tell you what can be offered on NHS and whether you might be better served by going private .

You don’t have to leave the NHS dentist to get private advice though? You could get private advice for the remedial work and stay on the NHS books for general check ups etc

I’d have a chat with him first though, often NHS dentists will offer you remedial work which you have to pay for anyway so they might do it

Same as perdito. Good advice.

I love the extra care I get privately. I just had some hygiene work done on a self care impulse and my I learned a lot. I have gingivitis and a bunch of plaque. The advice was great, all preventative upkeep to do now rather than wait for serious gum issues in the future. Worth the investment imo.