Not had a dentist in years. Me and kids.

[Hozeys]

Please don't judge me.

It's been about 5 years since any of us have seen a dentist.

We were registered with one locally. All details updated, and we never got any letters saying book a check up or anything.

I know it's MY responsibility, not theirs, but we had a serious family incident and there's been so much going on. If I listed it you wouldn't think I was being truthful. It's been crazy.

So because so much had been going on we didn't book any routine checks and nobody had any dental issues.

About 3 years ago I called to book and was told that because we hadn't made any appointments we had been taken off the register.
And they wouldn't re add us.

I've tried everywhere.
No where has any NHS slots available to register.

My local say they take on NHS patients at 10am on a Tue. I have rang so many times and at 10.01 they say. Sorry full now!

I don't think they even have any!

I just can't find a dentist anywhere that will take us on and I've had nightmares about it!
Mu kids teeth falling out and them crying saying it's my fault.

I don't know what to do :(

my private dentist took on my kids as NHS patients until they were 18. Can you do that?

What do you mean? Ask private dentists if they take NHS patients?

You register with a private dentist who will accept your DC as NHS patients until 18. This is usual now where we live.
You will need to pay for your own dental treatment, but not for DC.
I only pay £17 per month on a dental plan and get 2 check ups and 2 hygienist cleans.
If you do have to pay for treatment, a root canal and crown for example, it can be £££ but I think this is the normal now..

Some private dentists will take on children under the NHS if the adult/parent takes put a private dental plan, could you do that?

I agree and I’m registered with a private dentist too. Although the prices may vary, this seems like your best bet.

How old are your kids?

If you are seen on a private basis, they may allow your kids to be seen as NHS patients. Find a practice that is not exclusively private and see if you can go down that route.

Dp hasn't seen a dentist in nearly 14 years his teeth are not great

I have had two emergency appointments in the last 15 years one about 10 years ago when a tooth broke in half and and then the same tooth was extracted last year after begging a local private to take me on to have the tooth removed

We have been on the wait list as a family for an nhs dentist for 6ish years now there none taking on patients where we live I check every week

Thankfully the DC have been registered with their grandparents dentist but not as NHS patents
They are signed up to a pay monthly plan which includes check ups and cleaning I think its £10 per child
Both dds look like they need braces at some point no discounts in that unfortunately

I think your only option is to look up dental plans and pick the best option locally for your DC
Alot of dentists offer finance options for treatment now

Oh no, it's so rough out there! Have you tried asking on a local Facebook group at all as that's really been really handy in our area! I got into a relatively new surgery that way

What do you mean? Ask private dentists if they take NHS patients? some may have a children nhs contract but not adults. If you are able to self fund , or they offer something like denplan your dc may get registered too.

sadly this is how it is for most now .

Government contracts make it financially not viable to take on many nhs patients .

Labour claimed they would make more places available .. I have no idea how this would happen .

you can search if any dentists are taking on locally

If you say you're in severe pain and there is a genuine emergency then if you call 111 they can try and hook you up with an emergency dentist. They may be many miles away. And they won't keep you on beyond emergency treatment.

The only other option is to keep calling round every dentist in a several mile radius in your area. Or go private. Sad but true it's not a priority for the NHS at all.

I'm on disability benefits so don't think I could afford private dental care :(

Kids are 13 and 16

There is no emergency.

They just haven't had check ups and I have no idea what state their teeth are in.

You do not have to be in the same area as a NHS dentist , so try asking friends and family if there is anyone in their are taking on.

I had to go private for the past few years

I had similar - my kids went for three years without checks because our NHS dentist kept cancelling/postponing the week their appts were due, and then finally shut down altogether.

I have to take mine private now, it's so expensive. And they won't even let me go every 12 months - they say they'll take us off the books and we'll have to pay for a "new patient" appt if we leave it longer than 6 months. But just to make you feel a bit better maybe, my kids had no problems having been several years without seeing a dentist (but we are very careful about brushing!)

Unfortunately your 16yr old will likely age out of being NHS funded now, our 17yr old is under the NHS until his brace/orthodontist treatment is complete because it was started when he was 14 but we still pays for extra appointments including his hygienist ones.

You can keep trying for the 13yr old at least, especially if they need braces?

Ask around for the cheapest dental plans for yourself, sometimes it's only £15 per month and they may accept the 13yr old on NHS.

@Hozeys sadly the only way you'll get one is when there is an emergency or you say there is. Does anyone have decay, broken teeth, blood when brushing, holes? You can have a look with a torch.

It’s been crazy for five year? Sorry but that doesn’t cut it when it comes to your kids teeth.

No. Read it again.

It was crazy for 2 years. 3 years ago I tried to book in at our dentist and they had removed us.

I've been looking for 3 years for a dentist!