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:
Silverdogblue · 16/10/2023 13:01

Noodge · 16/10/2023 12:59

I am not sure how else I could have worded it? It may be technically but it doesn't feel like one, doesn't hurt and doesn't cause me the problems the traditional methods do.

It’s not a technical difference, it’s literally an injection with a needle. The wand does something like deliver it slowly or whatever but it’s 100% an intra oral injection.

Noodge · 16/10/2023 13:05

It works for me. I don't even feel it going in. I just decided a long time ago that I'm not being stabbed in the mouth by a syringe any longer. I know people who never go to the dentist due to the pain of the traditional needles, so I hope eventually more dentists use it although it is expensive.

Silverdogblue · 16/10/2023 13:10

TarantinoIsAMisogynist · 16/10/2023 11:05

This simply isn't true. Dentistry has been unfunded on a long term basis, to the extent that the NHS resources available are a long way from being sufficient to provide the population with eve basic care.

Even if everyone was diligent about flossing, annual check ups etc. use resources.

Show quote history

You really don’t think that reducing the amount of dental disease would mean more people could see a dentist for check ups?

i mean the maths checks out..?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Dental health General health
Lolalillie · 17/10/2023 19:54

My dentist has now gone completely private and my four grandchildren are now without an nhs dentist. My daughter just cannot afford private treatment for them. According to the law,all children in education are entitled to free dental treatment, but that is not possible if no dentist has free spaces for them. If the government made this law they should provide the clinics to make sure the children's teeth are getting treatment. We have always been told it is so important to get them checked every 6 months but how many parents are going to be able to afford to pay.? I am 72 and private and had to pay nearly £300 for 2 fillings,thats so much!

XenoBitch · 17/10/2023 20:10

Noodge · 16/10/2023 13:05

It works for me. I don't even feel it going in. I just decided a long time ago that I'm not being stabbed in the mouth by a syringe any longer. I know people who never go to the dentist due to the pain of the traditional needles, so I hope eventually more dentists use it although it is expensive.

Same. My old private dentist used a wand too. He explained it was computer controlled, so the fluid was not pushed in so fast (which causes the pain). I remember it beeping when he used it. I am a needlephobe, and I had little problem with it.

However, it is not suitable for everything. I had a root canal and had a big metal syringe for that with a needle that must have been a foot long!

Noodge · 17/10/2023 20:19

@XenoBitch I have literally just had a root canal a few weeks ago with The Wand. Well not quite The Wand, my dentist uses an equivalent to it (wand is just a brand name isn't it). Was fully anesthetised no problem. Wonder why yours did that? Hmm

Nothingoriginalhere · 17/10/2023 20:20

We are South Yorks/ East yorks border area and have had to pay privately for the last 20
years since we moved here!
This includes our 3 children who were 7, 2 and newborn - Denplam costs us approx £50 per for DH and I and we pay £50 per checkup for the kids although obviously 2 are now fully grown and away for work/ uni
Pretty sure it’s successive governments and not just the current one causing the major issues in dentistry and healthcare as well

Noodge · 17/10/2023 20:23

The Calaject is what my dentist uses. Just remembered the name.

XenoBitch · 17/10/2023 20:30

Noodge · 17/10/2023 20:19

@XenoBitch I have literally just had a root canal a few weeks ago with The Wand. Well not quite The Wand, my dentist uses an equivalent to it (wand is just a brand name isn't it). Was fully anesthetised no problem. Wonder why yours did that? Hmm

I don't know. It was a specialist that did my root canal, not my usual dentist. My dentist was very patient and would go at my speed for anything he was doing. Great sense of humour and really put me at ease. I could pick what music to play etc. Knew I was needle phobic and was very mindful of that fact.

Root canal guy... very abrupt. Would not let me have music on. Waved the syringe in my face before using it, and complained when my jaw was wobbling. I could not control it at all, but keeping it open for about 90 minutes will do that.

Noodge · 17/10/2023 20:41

@XenoBitch that is shocking-I am sorry you had to go through that. I'd not have allowed it to happen, you're brave!

Original poster
nodentist · 17/10/2023 22:27

Lolalillie · 17/10/2023 19:54

My dentist has now gone completely private and my four grandchildren are now without an nhs dentist. My daughter just cannot afford private treatment for them. According to the law,all children in education are entitled to free dental treatment, but that is not possible if no dentist has free spaces for them. If the government made this law they should provide the clinics to make sure the children's teeth are getting treatment. We have always been told it is so important to get them checked every 6 months but how many parents are going to be able to afford to pay.? I am 72 and private and had to pay nearly £300 for 2 fillings,thats so much!

That’s atrocious! What are they supposed to do :(

OP posts:
Janey331 · 20/10/2023 09:46

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?

I emailed my ICB regarding the lack of availability of a NHS dentist. I got a speedy reply, saying that the NHS is no longer under any obligation to provide free dentistry and wished me good luck in my search!

Silverdogblue · 20/10/2023 09:53

Janey331 · 20/10/2023 09:46

I emailed my ICB regarding the lack of availability of a NHS dentist. I got a speedy reply, saying that the NHS is no longer under any obligation to provide free dentistry and wished me good luck in my search!

Show quote history

Well, they are correct about accessing free dentistry but not so much with their obligation to provide you care.

If you want to take it further there’s lots you could ask them for. Depends on your appetite I suppose. Just needs someone to fund a judicial review for something useful (fox murderer, I’m looking at you).

DontBeAPrickDarren · 20/10/2023 09:57

Crikey, what a shitty response from the ICB!

garlictwist · 20/10/2023 10:07

Katrinawaves · 14/10/2023 15:21

Because Denplan is a dental insurance plan and as with most health insurance they won’t cover pre existing problems.

Show quote history

Yes, I found this out the hard way a few years ago when I'd paid out six months of premiums (the minimum before you're allowed to claim) only to be told that everything I'd had done was pre-existing and I couldn't. So money I couldn't afford down the drain.

YogaLite · 20/10/2023 11:10

Well, I must have been lucky as I found NHS dentist a month ago and just had 2 fillings done.

When I had enquired at a few others in the area, I was offered an NHS appointment in 2 months at one and a 6 months at another. Was about to accept 2 month wait but the third one offered 1 month so went along with them.

Things do change as after COVID it was impossible even to go on a waiting list but seems to eased off now. I'd say, worth ringing around even if slightly out of the area.

Original poster
nodentist · 20/10/2023 11:14

Which area? I’ll travel at this point

OP posts:
Vinrouge4 · 20/10/2023 14:30

nodentist · 20/10/2023 11:14

Which area? I’ll travel at this point

Which areas can you access?

Original poster
nodentist · 20/10/2023 14:57

Vinrouge4 · 20/10/2023 14:30

Which areas can you access?

Show quote history

Anywhere north of Birmingham

OP posts:
YogaLite · 20/10/2023 18:47

I am in the south.
You need to ring around (first check the government website where they say whether they take NHS patients).

MigGirl · 21/10/2023 10:42

It totally depends on what area you are in. I'm East and there is chronic shortage of dentists.

You can't get an NHS dentist here even for emergency work people find the have to travel.

I just think it's so bad that even children can't see a dentists. We moved dentists twice to stay on NHS for the kids, but last time they had an appointment it had to be private. That's £50 each, how many people can afford to pay that for a 10 minute checkup every 6 months for children. We are going to have a generation of bad teeth.

greengreengrass25 · 21/10/2023 10:48

Definitely a false economy in the long run

NamechangeForthisquestion1 · 21/10/2023 13:09

@nodentist if you're near Birmingham there is a dentist in Coventry accepting NHS patients, I registered with them a few weeks ago, having a filling done there next week.. going to do all I can to keep my place. Travelling from Yorkshire though so bit of a pain.

Original poster
nodentist · 21/10/2023 16:12

NamechangeForthisquestion1 · 21/10/2023 13:09

@nodentist if you're near Birmingham there is a dentist in Coventry accepting NHS patients, I registered with them a few weeks ago, having a filling done there next week.. going to do all I can to keep my place. Travelling from Yorkshire though so bit of a pain.

We’re also in Yorkshire. Please could you pm me the name of the place?

OP posts: