Anyone else struggling with this?

[ijnad]

I lived in Northern Ireland for 16 years, I had a dentist that I had the entire time I lived there.

I moved back home to England five years ago, Went to local dentist who said they were not taking on NHS patients, Went to all other in the area and the next Town over who all said the same thing.

A new dentist opened close to me so on the day it opened I went in, Filled out the forms to become a new patient and they said they would contact me in a few months to arrange an appointment, Waited and heard nothing so called them, they asked if I was sure I handed the forms back in as they had no record of me at all. I explained I filled them in there at the practice and handed them in to reception before I left. I was then told sorry but they are no longer taking on NHS.

Five years on I have tried every dentist within 40 miles of where I live (I can't go much further as I don't drive due to disability)

My mum got a text from her dentist last week saying they were signing up new patients but again not NHS.

It's been five years and my teeth are starting to hurt, My gums bleed when I brush and they are in desperate need of a scale and polish. I'm getting plaque that I can't get rid of even though I brush twice a day and use mouthwash etc, My breath stinks no matter what I do. Never had a problem with my teeth and no clue what to do, Anyone else struggling to find a dentist?

Yup it's a national thing. Go private or lose your teeth basically. It's so bad.

Yes, it's virtually impossible to find an NHS dentist I'm afraid.

Is it totally out of the question to consider signing on as a private patient? If you don't have that much wrong with your teeth it may not cost you that much more. Maybe see what sort of cost is involved.

Luckily I registered myself and DDs with an NHS dentil in 2015 when moved back from overseas. DH chose to use a different practice. He hasn’t seen a dentist since Feb 2020. The practice said that as his dentist had left he’s no longer registered. My dentist is full and cannot take on patients either NHS or private.

It’s a national problem as Fluffodils said.

Yep. Kicked out for non attendance in 2020 🙄 and no NHS dentists anywhere since. I imagine it's similar to the childcare funding, the government don't pay enough so what's the point in the dentists faffing when they can just charge private fees.