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Original poster

Really disappointed with my dentist care

29 replies

EEFan · 21/12/2022 19:38

I've waited over 2 years for a check up. I've been cancelled twice and been given a different dentist to my usual one.

I was so relieved when I got to my appointment without it being cancelled. The problem was when I got onto the dentist chair I was in and out within 7 minutes. They didn't ask me any questions or if I had any problems, they had a quick look at my teeth and said to book again for 6 months. I felt really disappointed.

I am grateful I was seen but I'm concerned if this is the new norm with NHS dentist.

Previous visits I would have been asked if I had any problems, asked about my sugar intake etc. They would have shot some air into my mouth ( I don't know what for) and properly examined my mouth.

Anyone else experienced this lately?

OP posts:
Original poster
EEFan · 21/12/2022 19:39

Just to add, I am glad they didn't find any issues, but also worried they didn't have a proper check and may have missed something.

OP posts:
Bluevelvetsofa · 21/12/2022 19:43

I’m amazed you find an NHS dentist. There’s nothing at all for miles where we are.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 21/12/2022 19:45

Did they not do anything at all? My dentist feels my jaw muscles, checks my bite, checks each tooth in turn, asks about any problems and gently checks on sugar, etc.

I’m sure in previous years, dentists used to do the scale and polish thing but now I have to pay ££££ for the hygienist 😕

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DrSmoot · 21/12/2022 19:51

I’m disappointed with mine. Also NHS. Been with him 18 years.

I’ve been in pain since the summer and, after seeing him 3 times he’s said “well it all looks fine, book another checkup for 12 months in your way out”…so I’m just supposed to spend my life chewing painkillers to get through the day? Sad
Mine is unhappy and very grumpy since new management, it really shows in his patient care but I can’t get an nhs dentist anywhere else & can’t afford private.

mamabear715 · 21/12/2022 20:00

I hadn't been seen for three years since moving house & then the pandemic, and no NHS dentists. I used to go every 3 months, so was terrified my teeth would need so much work..
I decided to initially go private just to see how bad things were.. it cost £103 for examination & x rays, I was in the chair for quite a while & very reassured to be told I only needed a good clean. Went back a few days later, was in the chair for about an hour, SUCH a good clean, even coffee stains gone. £103 again & don't need another appt for 6 months. Money (IF you have it) very well spent.

I can't get to my feet because of arthritis, & go to a foot clinic now too, £40 every 3 months. Wonderful. I come out walking on air!
I'd rather dye or cut my own hair now than not visit the dentist or podiatrist. My GP is still 'free' at the mo.. ;-)

Original poster
EEFan · 21/12/2022 20:14

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 21/12/2022 19:45

Did they not do anything at all? My dentist feels my jaw muscles, checks my bite, checks each tooth in turn, asks about any problems and gently checks on sugar, etc.

I’m sure in previous years, dentists used to do the scale and polish thing but now I have to pay ££££ for the hygienist 😕

Nope, none of that. I just opened my mouth and she poked my gums a bit and that was it.

OP posts:
bumbledeedum · 21/12/2022 20:14

We waited quite a while to be allocated to a new dentist after moving house. We've had the exact same experience although I don't think it was even 7 minutes, barely 2 and they won't see me or my 3 year old for another 2 years!! Absolutely appalling in my opinion and storing up for bigger issues in the future.

Francisca459 · 21/12/2022 20:17

Yes OP!
I went to the dentist for a check up after 2 years of Covid. All 6 of the original dentists had left, so I got a new one. You remember how they used to go round your teeth one by one and scratch at them and speak to the dental nurse sound, sound, etc etc then at the end tell you what they had found and what to pay attention to? None of that. He just looked in my mouth, said everything was ok and recommended I make an appointment for a proper scale and polish with the hygenist which I agreed to do (I had stains from using Corsydol) I was in and out in 5 minutes. This is NHS. I'm lucky. Most of my family have no dentist at all as the NHS dentists in my town are all closing. The ones left are not taking any NHS patients.

Battlecat98 · 21/12/2022 20:22

Lucky to have an NHS dentist we did until this week, NHS dentist left the practice and they have been unable to get another one. Of course they can see us privately .The problem is I can't really afford all 4 of us to go private, especially as my son needs braces, I will have to prioritise paying for DC and hope I don't have any issues. I have enquired around to just get my DC on the NHS then myself and DH would stand half a chance of paying private but no luck.

Oher · 21/12/2022 20:26

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 21/12/2022 19:45

Did they not do anything at all? My dentist feels my jaw muscles, checks my bite, checks each tooth in turn, asks about any problems and gently checks on sugar, etc.

I’m sure in previous years, dentists used to do the scale and polish thing but now I have to pay ££££ for the hygienist 😕

Yes they did! I asked about this once as after 5 min in chair the nhs dentist seemed to have finished and told me I had a small amount of plaque and should see the hygenist. I said “Isn’t there anything you can do about it now?” He said “You only get the basic scale and polish on the NHS.” I said “Well can I have that then?” He looked a little shifty and gave a couple of teeth a sulky scrub.

Imo most of the dentists doing NHS work do not do all the things that the NHS pay them to do ☹️ My son gets about 30 seconds in the chair, I wonder what the NHS pays for that.

Flowerfairy101 · 21/12/2022 20:27

Yep mine can't wait to hustle me out of there. I had genuine questions last check up and she kept edging towards the door when I was talking. Literally looks in my mouth, has a little a scrape and tap then pronounces everything fine and thats it. I presume they get less income from an NHS patient but I've still paid £23 something for a 3 minute appointment. Its made me quite distrustful of them because I can't see how they can be checking my tooth health properly in that short space of time.

bigbluebus · 21/12/2022 20:30

I've had 2 check ups with my NHS dentist since Covid and have had the same questions and preventative advice as pre covid. The check up was mostly the same except for restrictions on procedures using aerosols. I don't feel I've been short changed at all. It's a one dentist practice but does a mixture of private and NHS.

XenoBitch · 21/12/2022 20:38

You didn't even get an x-ray?

Wanderingoff · 21/12/2022 20:40

Did they not take an X-ray?

Blendandmix · 21/12/2022 20:42

Did they take X-rays? Bite wings should be taken every 2 years. The absolutely should have checked your glands as that's how they check for lumps etc.

Original poster
EEFan · 21/12/2022 20:54

No X-ray, no check of glands.

OP posts:
1000umbrellas · 21/12/2022 21:08

I hear you, haven't been able to get a check-up since covid as they are short-staffed. Infuriatingly still getting emails from the practice offering me whitening and Botox!

WhatLikeItsHard · 21/12/2022 21:52

I had a similar experience last time I saw an NHS dentist, so have gone private now.

I pay £7 per month, which gets me one yearly check up with the dentist, any X-rays, and a separate 30 minute appointment with the hygienist. My partner goes twice a year and pays £11 per month.

Given that an NHS check up costs £23.80 a pop, the difference for my private yearly check up is just over an extra £5 a month, and £7 a month for his six monthly check ups. Money well spent, you only get one set of teeth.

autienotnaughty · 21/12/2022 22:27

Me and 3 kids went (2 are adults) we were all seen in less than 15 min and it cost £72!! Did little more than look in our mouths

autienotnaughty · 21/12/2022 22:29

Blendandmix · 21/12/2022 20:42

Did they take X-rays? Bite wings should be taken every 2 years. The absolutely should have checked your glands as that's how they check for lumps etc.

I never have these??

DrSmoot · 21/12/2022 22:34

@WhatLikeItsHard that is money well spent…as long as you don’t need anything actually doing. I have a mouth guard for bruxism, two a year actually. I’ve looked up how much they would cost at a private dentist and they are around £200 each. I just can’t afford that.

Blendandmix · 21/12/2022 22:36

You should have them every 2 years. It’s included in the price you pay

Allthegoodusernamesareused · 21/12/2022 22:44

We are very lucky to have an amazing NHS dentist. We go every 6 months, and she is always very thorough. Xrays every 2 years. Cleans the kids teeth. Checks glands and keeps an eye on my clicky TMJ. I do pay an extortionate amount also to see the hygienist also.

Welshy26 · 21/12/2022 22:48

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 21/12/2022 19:45

Did they not do anything at all? My dentist feels my jaw muscles, checks my bite, checks each tooth in turn, asks about any problems and gently checks on sugar, etc.

I’m sure in previous years, dentists used to do the scale and polish thing but now I have to pay ££££ for the hygienist 😕

Mine did all this too and a scale and polish. Next app is in 13 months. I'm in Wales.

BungleandGeorge · 21/12/2022 22:49

To be fair my private dentist is exactly the same and no X-rays either.