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Original poster

So we literally cannot find an NHS dentist, anywhere

237 replies

nodentist · 14/10/2023 12:14

What do we do? Nowhere taking on adults for NHS since we’ve moved. On the website tool it says a few are, but when you call them it transpires they are taking on… for the 5 year long waiting list. People on local Facebook groups are mentioning that some practices are refusing to take on children on the NHS unless their parents are paying privately!

Does anyone know how to get around it? I’ve not seen a dentist in four years since just before COVID, and I know I probably need a filling and who knows what else treatment. I feel embarrassed about my teeth even though they don’t look bad.

OP posts:
nibblessquibbles · 14/10/2023 12:21

Nhs dentistry is in crisis. It's also cheaper not free. Can you afford to go private? Some practices will have a new client offer? Depending on where you live you may be able to shop around

Overthebow · 14/10/2023 12:22

There’s not really a way round it unless you have an emergency then you can try and get in at an emergency dentist. Other than that it’s private only in many places now.

Guavafish1 · 14/10/2023 12:23

no way around it

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Original poster
nodentist · 14/10/2023 12:25

nibblessquibbles · 14/10/2023 12:21

Nhs dentistry is in crisis. It's also cheaper not free. Can you afford to go private? Some practices will have a new client offer? Depending on where you live you may be able to shop around

Depends what you mean by afford. Not really. It’s very expensive! Maybe on like a Denplan scheme or something

OP posts:
Silkiebunny · 14/10/2023 12:25

Its basically private only around here

SlipSlidinAway · 14/10/2023 12:27

Only way to get round it is make sure Labour wins the next General Election. In the short term you'll probably need to pay for private dental care I'm afraid.

Silkiebunny · 14/10/2023 12:27

Privately my first appointment with x rays was £58, subsequent check ups are £48 and fillings which are white are £180 each.

VeridicalVagabond · 14/10/2023 12:27

Get on as many waiting lists as you can and hope for the best. Go private if you can afford to, lots offer plans that aren't too pricey.

I will cling on to my NHS dentist till he retires, I've literally chosen not to move to another part of the country because I don't want to lose him. My husband has joked that if it came down to it he thinks I'd choose the dentist over him.

nibblessquibbles · 14/10/2023 12:28

If you need a filling then there's not much you can do. Don't leave it too long as otherwise it will get worse and cost more.

If you live near one of these this may be an option. https://dentalhospitals.org.uk/about-us/dental-treatment-students/

Association of Dental Hospitals | » Dental treatment by students

https://dentalhospitals.org.uk/about-us/dental-treatment-students

yarnwitch · 14/10/2023 12:33

Realistically your current options are to go on the very long waiting lists, and call 111 if you need emergency dental care in the meantime.
Or pay private. Some aren't as expensive as you might think, not much more than NHS prices, and many offer payment plans.

TarantinoIsAMisogynist · 14/10/2023 12:34

This is the situation in my area. We had no choice but to go private.

It's utterly shit.

TarantinoIsAMisogynist · 14/10/2023 12:36

VeridicalVagabond · 14/10/2023 12:27

Get on as many waiting lists as you can and hope for the best. Go private if you can afford to, lots offer plans that aren't too pricey.

I will cling on to my NHS dentist till he retires, I've literally chosen not to move to another part of the country because I don't want to lose him. My husband has joked that if it came down to it he thinks I'd choose the dentist over him.

Most don't even have a waiting list open where I live. (I.e. the list is so long they won't add more people to it) The situation really is dire.

ladygindiva · 14/10/2023 12:37

I'm a labour voter but I'm just posting to point out this was also happening in 2003 under a labour govt. I had to travel out of county to find an NHS dentist as there were no dentists taking NHS patients in Cornwall at all.

gotomomo · 14/10/2023 12:37

Go on waiting lists, i was told up to a years wait and I was called within 8 weeks with an appointment

TeenLifeMum · 14/10/2023 12:38

we have private dental care, not through choice. Last time I went I paid £75 for less than 5 minutes to be told my teeth are perfect… I’ve not been for 18 months so I’m thinking maybe I’ll go every 3-4 years unless I have any issues before that. Dc have nhs care thank goodness.

Original poster
nodentist · 14/10/2023 12:40

SlipSlidinAway · 14/10/2023 12:27

Only way to get round it is make sure Labour wins the next General Election. In the short term you'll probably need to pay for private dental care I'm afraid.

Yeah I’ll be voting Labour. I was too young to vote by literally a couple of days in the last election.

OP posts:
Fifthtimelucky · 14/10/2023 12:44

I agree. There are no NHS dentists anywhere near me and haven't been for years.

I was pregnant when we moved here, so entitled to free dental treatment. However, I wasn't able to find anywhere that would accept me as an NHS patient. That was in 1999!

EasterFlower · 14/10/2023 12:46

If you wait until there's an emergency, then phone the local health board, they'll allocate you one. By that point you'll maybe lose the tooth though. If you want dental care these days, preventative care, small fillings before they become a bigger issue etc you're looking at private.

Sundaefraise · 14/10/2023 12:47

ladygindiva · 14/10/2023 12:37

I'm a labour voter but I'm just posting to point out this was also happening in 2003 under a labour govt. I had to travel out of county to find an NHS dentist as there were no dentists taking NHS patients in Cornwall at all.

I agree that with best will in the world this won’t be easy to reverse.

Handsnotwands · 14/10/2023 12:48

I do have an NHS dentist. I know I’m v lucky. But I do have to go every 6 months to stay on the list. It’s around £20 a checkup. For me 6 monthly checkups are unnecessary. Once a year would be ample. So if you can get a private one like the poster up thread who pays £48 and go once a year it’s not much difference (unless you need treatment I guess)

it bugs me though. My dentist could see twice as many people if they didn’t insist on 6 monthly checkups

RandomNutter · 14/10/2023 12:48

nodentist · 14/10/2023 12:40

Yeah I’ll be voting Labour. I was too young to vote by literally a couple of days in the last election.

Show quote history

Wasn't it labour who changed the nhs dental contract? Half a million people or so lost their nhs dentist?

Nursemumma92 · 14/10/2023 12:50

I moved back to my home county 8 years ago after graduating from uni, I am still on the waiting list in county (South west). My children however are seen on the NHS as I pay privately- in theory, I haven't had my teeth looked for years as I can't afford to.

Couldn't get the NHS dental care in either of my pregnancies as I was a private patient and the practice only takes children on as NHS.

Muddle2000 · 14/10/2023 12:50

Denplan insurance allows you to spread the cost

Tilllly · 14/10/2023 12:51

Yes and so now it's not cost efficient for dentists to work for the NHS when they can earn so much more, doing the same in private practice

TiredArse · 14/10/2023 12:52

RandomNutter · 14/10/2023 12:48

Wasn't it labour who changed the nhs dental contract? Half a million people or so lost their nhs dentist?

Show quote history

No idea, but the tories have done fuck all to improve the situation in the last 13.