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Original poster

Can you get a dentist in your area?

70 replies

Inyourwildestdreams · 30/10/2023 22:13

Having an absolute nightmare trying to get myself and my 3yo registered with a dentist and wondering if it’s the same everywhere?!

We moved towns at the end of last year (only 7 miles). None of the dental practices (there are 3) in the new town were taking on new patients or adding to their waiting lists at the time so we just remained registered with the one we previously lived near. Then that dentist retired (very small practice with one dentist) and they are working with temps at the moment. We’ve had 4 appointments for check ups booked and cancelled this year because of staffing issues. Today I received a letter - we’re being removed from their patient list due to no longer living in the area.
Meanwhile in our new town, 2 of the dentists in 1 practice have privatised and struck off all their NHS patients. The other practices opened their waiting lists exclusively for those being struck off and now both have waiting lists of over 900 people. The 2 that have privatised are also full.
The nearest dentist I can find that will take us on is 2.5hours away on public transport (for medical reasons I am unable to drive). They want £35 per month per patient. This gives 2 check ups and 2 hygiene appointments per year plus 10% off any other treatments.

Is it this hard everywhere?! I just want my child to have access to dental care!!

OP posts:

Pipistrellus · 01/11/2023 07:09

During covid I was contacting the practice from autumn 2020 and willing to take the earliest appointment, we got one in February 2021. I would understand people being removed if they left it until summer 2021 or something to contact the practice.

wherethewaterisdarker · 01/11/2023 07:15

Absolutely no chance of an nhs dentist for my 2 year old where we live and even finding somewhere private to take him on was difficult (and actually stressful because he had damaged a tooth and urgently needed to be seen). My impression is that dentistry is essentially a private healthcare now - which is frigging awful as not everyone can afford to pay for their kids’ appointments and treatments!

Tanfastic · 01/11/2023 07:16

I think anyone who has an NHS dentist still is very lucky. Mine changed to private only years ago and I've not been able to find a NHS one since. I've recently been unhappy with my private dentist and looked around for a different private dentist...,no luck there either!

I'm not sure what people are supposed to do? Pull their own teeth out?

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Dental health

DeathMetalMum · 01/11/2023 07:23

Our practice which I have been with since a child (moved away then back) went private about 18 months ago. It used to be very busy lots of NHS paitents as its a very large residential area. They also took dp off the books when he didn't book an appointment during covid times.

I was lucky, I got dc and I in at a village practice on the other side of town. There's only a bus every hour to said village, I dont think they run after 4pm either so would be difficult for anyone to get there via public transport. Lots of people in the area are still struggling for dental care unfortunately.

PlanBea · 01/11/2023 07:25

I'm in the north east, and got signed straight up to an NHS dentist when I moved 3 years ago as did DH. DS got added when he came along two years ago no problem. It's a mile from our house but is more convenient than the other NHS dentist half a mile from our house.

A month ago an old filling came out, and I got seen the same day for it to be fixed. I really can't fault our dentist.

DS is less impressed and won't let the dentist anywhere near him, so I'd be unimpressed paying privately for him! I really feel for people in these dentistry deserts.

jippy2s · 01/11/2023 07:37

We moved towns 3 years ago and I've just this last month managed to get my kids into an NHS dentist here, but they're not taking adults so I will continue to drive the 45mins or so to the NHS dentist in our old area.

Itwasamemo3 · 01/11/2023 07:39

Dentists are crucial for the general health of people. I hope people consider the terrible state of NHS dentistry when they next vote l!
I actually have a fantastic private dentist who actually has very reasonable charges and will always try and save money for her patients.
she saw me As an emergency yesterday because I found a lump on my tongue. Not only was she reassuring that tongue was absolutely fine , she also did a full dental check ,because it was cheaper for full check up rather than seeing me as an emergency! Charged £45 which I thought was very reasonable.

hellohellothere · 01/11/2023 07:44

Yes in sw London. I called and managed to get my DH and 3 year old DS registered straight away at the one round the corner under nhs a while back. I've been with mine a couple of miles away for years.

hellohellothere · 01/11/2023 07:45

My mum and brother live on the south coast and have to drive at least an hour to get to their nhs dentist. It took a long time for them to find one.

PlantDoctor · 01/11/2023 07:46

There's a 10+ year list for NHS places here in Cornwall. My dentist just decided he wasn't doing NHS anymore, even for kids. Luckily I was able to register her with DH's dentist but I have no chance.

Charliebrow · 01/11/2023 08:09

Timewentfast · 31/10/2023 00:40

My own dentist is giving NHS patients their current course of treatment on the NHS and then going private. So you can stay and convert to private or you can go elsewhere. Meanwhile they are so busy they have closed their books even to new private patients and my dentist is looking very tired, stressed and grumpy.

I was lucky in so far as my current course of NHS treatment has involved 8 visits so far but I am having trouble with my teeth and the dentist seems to be rushing the treatment, refusing to stop when it hurts and then if there is problems you can't see him again for months as he is too busy so you get one of the young inexperienced dentists (also going private) who struggle to fix problems.

Got my next 1/2 hr appointment on Saturday and getting a phobia of dentist with all the rushing, pain and continually having to go back.

I asked him if it would be easier to get an appointment with him once I go onto the private patient list and he said he hoped but couldn't promise. So even paying for private he is so busy you have to wait to see him.
The premises are shabby and rundown as they have been for years so no posh premises here. Thus why are they so busy getting private patients on their books?

Where have all the dentists gone? Is it just a case of they are all private now (so same no of dentists but just private) or have they actually left the profession/country?

I think we can conclude that the NHS dentist system is being snuffed out. Not officially of course but in reality. Same with the GP / NHS system. I think the whole lot is being privatised by stealth.

youre NHS, have had 8 visits so far including Saturday appts and are complaining. No wonder your dentist is tired and grumpy. What band charge are you paying for all this treatment. At most it’s band 3 £306.80 which would include lab work which the dentist will have to pay for out of the fee

Timewentfast · 01/11/2023 22:50

Charliebrow · 01/11/2023 08:09

Show quote history

I don't understand your post. Yes I am on my last course of NHS treatment. I have already signed the forms and handed over my bank details to become a private patient. Of course I appreciate my current course of treatment has been done on the NHS - the point of my post is that my dentist is becoming private to everyone as soon as their current treatment course finishes.

My dentist is tired and grumpy because he says he has never been as busy as he is now. I have used him for almost thirty years. He says they are so busy they are having to close to new PRIVATE patients as well as refusing NHS patients. I don't think he is tired because after 10 years of nothing but checkup/hygienist appointments I am having a spate of problems with my teeth.

I can only assume you didn't read my post properly.

P.S. I was a private patient with same dentist for about 10 years and have only been NHS again for last few years. Now about to be private patient again.

goldenpastures · 03/11/2023 02:49

@goldenpastures Not at all! But there are plenty that can that are still using the NHS system despite it clearly being in crisis. Or keeping spaces in the waiting lists for NHS which is preventing others that can’t afford the alternative from accessing dental.
I know 3 & 4 year olds in our town who have never seen a dentist which is terrible!

Oh I know of children who haven't had appointments for years and are on waiting lists.
I understand what you mean, but I think it's tricky to say people who can should go private.

Mountainhowl · 03/11/2023 03:25

Nothing here, looked as far as 50 miles out but no NHS options!

I did manage to get my youngest seen on the NHS via a private dentist. I paid for a consultation as I thought he had cavities, I was right and they referred us on to the one in our local healthcare centre (it's got minor injuries etc too).

Although his November check up got cancelled with no alternative date, just a letter saying sorry we've got no appointments we'll contact you when we do 🤷

Luckily the cavities no longer cause him any pain and they're baby teeth so it's not a massive issue at the moment, I just hope they don't take him off, and wish I could find an NHS space for me and the eldest (I haven't been for about 15 years! Eldest is 10 and has never been seen, thankfully he seems to have fairly decent/strong teeth!)

Pipistrellus · 03/11/2023 07:07

goldenpastures · 03/11/2023 02:49

Oh I know of children who haven't had appointments for years and are on waiting lists.
I understand what you mean, but I think it's tricky to say people who can should go private.

Unless something is going to be done about NHS dentistry then I think children and others entitled to free treatment should be prioritised over existing patients at this stage

goldenpastures · 03/11/2023 12:08

Unless something is going to be done about NHS dentistry then I think children and others entitled to free treatment should be prioritised over existing patients at this stage

Something certainly needs to be done.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 03/11/2023 12:11

I got an NHS dentist this spring after my old NHS dentist went private.

My old private practice is at least 40 mins drive away, I did try a local private practice and wasn’t impressed at all, the receptionist was so rude.

My new NHS dentist is a 10-15 min drive away and the dentist I saw recently was lovely. I did check Google reviews before registering with them.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 03/11/2023 12:14

I would however, if there was a decent private practice near me, sign up to them. I just got fed up of trying a private practice, only to find they weren’t great.

Haras3210 · 14/02/2024 14:46

Unfortunately the powers that be don't give a damn as they are wealthy enough to go private!! It'd be a different story if they too were desperate.

coxesorangepippin · 11/10/2024 01:39

Yes but live abroad

We're bloody overrun with them

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