Dental Help 😭

[anon1411]

So I've been battling with my dentist practice for a while now and just would like some advice as to what you all think I should do.

I'm super conscious about my teeth, I've always suffered with thin enamel so as you can imagine my teeth aren't the best they could be. Have had to have a few teeth out and fillings as my teeth just aren't strong at all.

When I fell pregnant with my boy they suffered even more 😭 and ended up having to have more work done on my teeth and a few more out. Since then and within the last 18 months I've had 3 more teeth break, two wisdom and one at the top near the back.

My dentist that I've had since I was little retired about 2 years ago and for a while had no dentist, they eventually assigned someone to me so I saw him and he referred me to get them teeth surgically removed (due to me being a big wuss and would be less stressful for me). That referral got declined shortly after, however I did not find this out until about 6 months later .

I rang my dentist practice to say I need my teeth sorting and want to book an appt ASAP before I get infections or toothache etc. They told me that they aren't able to book me in because the dentist is as assigned left the practice and they don't have anyone for me. I said i was happy to go and see anyone but just want to be seen and they said noone is able to see me until I have a dentist nurse assigned to me.

I'm stuck with 3 broken teeth, sensitive mouth and noone to see :( I'm honestly at the point where I don't want to go out anywhere because I hate my teeth that much, I've tried querying private and to to get all my teeth done but it's just too expensive 😭 I've also tried other local dentist practices and nowhere is taking new patients due to being overloaded as it is.

What can I do 🥺🥺🥺

In the city I live in there are no NHS dentists and haven’t been for 4+ years.
all of us have no choice but to pay. Even for kids. It is ridiculous.

you are just gonna have to pay. At least then it will get sorted quick. It will be worth the money.

@ThePinkQualityStreet

I didn't mean to offend anyone by saying it was too expensive to pay to have it done, I know some people don't have a choice and I'm very lucky that I have the option of NHS but I genuinely live pay packet to pay packet and making sure my son is fed and there's a house above our head is priority I'm afraid 🥺🤷‍♀️

Check if there is a dental school in your area, we have one which allows people treatment through their students under supervision. Might be another option

If you ring NHS England to complain surely they will have to find you a dentist given you’re pregnant therefore entitled to free treatment

These days there is no such thing a being registered as an NHS patient, it's not like your GP. You're seen as an NHS patient for a given course of treatment and that's it. Equally, pregnancy in itself does not cause damage to your teeth, that's all about life style. I'm afraid you'll either have to travel further to find an NHS dentist to treat you or consider taking out a private dental insurance policy to cover you for the treatment you need.

Hi,
Very odd being told you have to wait for a nurse to be assigned to you, in most practices the dentists all have a nurse allocated.
I would actually call back at various times/days, my practice has several reception staff and it often depends on who answers the phone as to how much help I get regarding appointments.
Also I'd recommend going in person to the practice asking face to face at the desk to book in, this may result in a different outcome. Worth a try if you pass it/have the time.
Is your practice NHS or private? the one you last attended I mean.
For your dental practice you de-register you they are required to write and inform you giving three months notice.

First thing I'd ask (as an ex dental nurse) is call and enquire if you are still currently registered with them, if you are then ask them their policy regarding emergency appointments, usually you have to call on the day (early morning) and the appointments are the day of.
If you're informed you are no longer a registered patient and you're in pain then call 111 and they will source you an appointment with an emergency dentist, although please be aware you may be required to travel for this if there are none local to you.

I really hope you get sorted OP, if you can deal with the teeth causing you pain first then worry about any cosmetic work after, at least then you will feel more comfortable.