Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

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:
Kate9423 · 14/10/2023 21:35

I've just signed on as an NHS patient near us in Hillingdon. There are some if you're willing to travel etc

MidnightMeltdown · 14/10/2023 21:52

If you wait until there's an emergency, then phone the local health board, they'll allocate you one.

DON'T do this. Your teeth are important and prevention is far better than a cure.

Find a private dentist where you can sign up for a plan and pay monthly. You should get a certain number of check ups and hygienist appointments included, as well as a discount on any treatment needed.

determinedtomakethiswork · 14/10/2023 21:54

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.

You are very lucky. Mine is almost exactly double that.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Dental health General health
WinterVibes · 14/10/2023 21:56

Almost all are private now and most NHS are transitioning to private. I'm on a dental plan at a private practice for £34 month I get everything covered bar lab costs

WinterVibes · 14/10/2023 22:01

I will add, I'm in the Midlands so may be more expensive in the South 💁‍♀️

MigGirl · 14/10/2023 22:02

There is no way to get an NHS dentist where we live, I could live with that as an adult but most have now kicked children out to. Las time I took my kids for checkup it cost me £100 (£50 each). I'm just grateful that DD now has an appointment for an NHS orthodontics, I'm not sure we'd be able to aford £1000's for braces and she does really need them.

SahliJ · 14/10/2023 22:07

Nope, me neither. Nor the kids.

Shocking state of public services under a Tory government. ☹️

I've written to my MP, it just isn't good enough.
https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/

SahliJ · 14/10/2023 22:09

MidnightMeltdown · 14/10/2023 21:52

If you wait until there's an emergency, then phone the local health board, they'll allocate you one.

DON'T do this. Your teeth are important and prevention is far better than a cure.

Find a private dentist where you can sign up for a plan and pay monthly. You should get a certain number of check ups and hygienist appointments included, as well as a discount on any treatment needed.

Of course, many people cannot afford to pay monthly….

(especially for a public service)

MigGirl · 14/10/2023 22:19

There is an NHS number you can ring and they are supposed to try and find you an NHS dentist. I did try this route but in our area (I even said I was willing to travel) there just aren't any dentist.

XenoBitch · 14/10/2023 22:32

MidnightMeltdown · 14/10/2023 21:52

If you wait until there's an emergency, then phone the local health board, they'll allocate you one.

DON'T do this. Your teeth are important and prevention is far better than a cure.

Find a private dentist where you can sign up for a plan and pay monthly. You should get a certain number of check ups and hygienist appointments included, as well as a discount on any treatment needed.

The plans are good if you don't need any treatment before signing up. They are only really for people with healthy teeth/gums.... and who can afford that monthly cost too.

Original poster
nodentist · 14/10/2023 23:11

WinterVibes · 14/10/2023 21:56

Almost all are private now and most NHS are transitioning to private. I'm on a dental plan at a private practice for £34 month I get everything covered bar lab costs

£34 a month is a lot!

OP posts:
Original poster
nodentist · 14/10/2023 23:12

SahliJ · 14/10/2023 22:07

Nope, me neither. Nor the kids.

Shocking state of public services under a Tory government. ☹️

I've written to my MP, it just isn't good enough.
https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/

Absolutely awful that they won’t take the kids on - what are people supposed to do? It’s concerning

OP posts:
Questionsquestions134 · 14/10/2023 23:37

My NHS dentist went private and no other NHS dentists around. They won't go back to the NHS and tbf it's a lot more expensive but we pay a monthly amount so it is more manageable. It's really hard and any dentists I have spoken to have no plans to go back to the NHS as say they can offer better treatment and benefits to the patients and the staff. They have waiting lists for private patients as well.

I would get on as many waiting lists as you can. I have heard of some trainee dentists doing cheaper dental work but unsure how you would find out about that. Good luck.

Muddle2000 · 15/10/2023 08:53

You do not exactly have to have problem free teeth to join Denplan What happens is the dentist will assess the condition of your teeth and base a monthly amount on that I pay 20 whereas friend pays 15 per month But yes if there is largeish outstanding work it will have to be done first Look after your teeth

mrsbyers · 15/10/2023 09:01

I was quite surprised how reasonable private dentist was to be honest so after two years on waiting list and only able to access nhs for emergencies I went private

neveradullmoment99 · 15/10/2023 09:12

looking4pup · 14/10/2023 13:40

I'm always curious scour people not having a dentist. I assume you moved area or your current dentist closed?

Mine turned private.

43ontherocksporfavor · 15/10/2023 09:14

It’s absolutely shocking. In my town there is one dentist practice taking NHS adults and the wait is very long. I don’t see how dental care is any different to medical care. The system needs an overhaul.

43ontherocksporfavor · 15/10/2023 09:15

@looking4pup My old practice turned private and said they would only keep my DD on as NHS. This is happening to lots of practices.

DontBeAPrickDarren · 15/10/2023 09:16

Dentistry is now under the control of local ICBs rather than NHS England - have you complained to the ICB locally about the lack of access OP?

43ontherocksporfavor · 15/10/2023 09:18

My recent check-up under NHS was £25. I go once a year and haven’t had a filling since childhood (I’m 52) so £34 per month for me is not something I’m willing to pay.

Unithorn · 15/10/2023 09:19

DH is a dentist, the practice he works in is now fully private as they were actually losing money on some NHS appointments following the systematic corrosion of the contract. I met him when he was newly qualified and I'd never have thought he'd have gone private to be honest, he still is passionate about oral healthcare and the importance of dentistry but not to the extent he wanted to actually be in a deficit from working- as much as the media likes to paint dentists as greedy I can't say I'd work for free or for a minus either. They have long wait lists and have had to pause taking on new patients, it's not just a lack of NHS dentists to be honest, it's a lack of dentists overall and not easily reversed. It's not solely about funding, but liability fees have never been higher, and nor have the hoops they have to jump through on various things.

Fluffypuppy1 · 15/10/2023 09:27

PabloandGustheGreySquirrels · 14/10/2023 19:41

Yes but you also have to pay a monthly fee just to be on a private dentist's list!

Show quote history

You don’t have to pay any kind of monthly fee to see a private dentist. Most private dentists offer Denplan type plans to make it easier for patients who worry about paying, but you don’t have to join.

OrderOfTheKookaburra · 15/10/2023 09:32

I suspect that UK is going the way Australia has, no government funded dentists for adults. There are a few funded dental clinics for children and also those in low incomes are given a sum of money for children only and 2 years in which to use it but it is for only limited types of treatment.

Adults have to fend for themselves.

I have health insurance which includes dental but not hospital and it costs me around $2,000 a year for cover for myself and my 2 DSs. That helps pay for some of the treatment but there are usually large gaps and payment limits.

I've just paid $15,000 for my 2 DSs to get braces and will be refunded $4,500 by the insurance company which is a lifetime maximum. And this orthodontist is cheaper than most others. One of them had teeth sufficiently bad that he qualified for NHS braces but we moved before all his adult teeth grew.

fivelilducks · 15/10/2023 09:44

You'll have to pay on a payment plan. It's so shit

43ontherocksporfavor · 15/10/2023 09:46

@OrderOfTheKookaburra that’s interesting. We are always told how much better things are in Australia but people forget about the lack of funded healthcare.