Does anyone not have an nhs dentist due to lack of?

[nicolamurrays]

I’m looking at properties in a certain rural area, but there are no nhs dentists at all even within an hour. Has anyone here experienced this and been forced to go private? Is it very expensive? I know Google will tell me prices but I’m just wondering about experiences.

I currently live rurally with no NHS dentist for miles, however, I previously lived in a massive UK city and still had no NHS dentist there either! ..... yep private dentists are bloody expensive and they all charge different fees so not sure how much use Google will be for you on this one.

Yep, I was forced to go private more than 30 years ago when my NHS dentist turned private and there were no NHS dentists taking on new patients in my area.

Prices vary privately so you need to shop around. Most dentists will post an indication of prices on their website. If not, just call and ask.

I had an NHS dentist until a couple of years ago when the practice went private.

Rural area here. There hasn't been an nhs dentist for like a decade. I did see a NHS dental nurse job advertised, so hoping that one will be starting. The private one isn't too bad though. Not as crazy prices as some.

I have a private dentist. Yes they are expensive. My dentist only does NHS work for people on certain benefits.

Another private dentist in my area isn't accepting any patients even private ones as they are fully booked.

I’m not rural but can’t find an NHS dentist for me. I’ve had to go private, but thankfully the practice was willing to take children as NHS patients, so my daughter is covered. We were lucky as it’s definitely a big issue in our city - many children are not seeing a dentist at all because their parents can’t afford it.

But yes, it’s expensive. I paid £75 for my initial consultation/check up, and £55 for 30 mins with the hygienist. I’m going to look into dental plans to spread the cost.

I’m not rural but there not enough nhs dentists in our town so I’ve never managed to get one in the 15 years we’ve lived here. We’ve got the kids nhs dentistry, just have to pay out for us.

Semi rural, but no NHS dentists taking on here. Space for children but not adults. There are NHS dentists, they're just already full.

I should think most of the population have experienced this.

no nhs dentist near me nor
has there been for years .

I agree. I suspect most of us have been in this position for years. It’s over 20 years in my case.

I’m in a small town and there is an NHS dentist here BUT they’ve not been accepting patients for years. I moved here in 2014 and me, husband and 2 kids got registered within a few months, my friend moved here in 2018 and has been on the waiting list ever since. They do open their books occasionally but they told my friend that no one is leaving the practice (it’s the only NHS dentist for about 40 miles so even those who move away stay registered here) so they are literally waiting until enough patients have died, take on the corresponding number of patients from the waiting list, and close the books again.

I travel 45 minutes - 1 hour depending on traffic for an NHS dentist, who isn’t even in my county, let alone my rural area. I also see a private hygienist at the same practice. It’s still cheaper than my nearest private dentist, and would be significantly so should I need any treatment.

My dentist went purely private and can't get any nhs anywhere.
There was one taking nhs but my dentist didn't bother to mention they were becoming private so I missed the registration so annoyed not for me but 18 yr old dd. We will have to pay private to have her checked and cleaned once a year to attempt to stop any potential issues whichwill cost a fortune.

Semi rural and there are no nhs dentists. I used to have an NHS dentist 30 years ago until they went private. There is just no other option where I live.

Another one who hasn’t had an NHS dentist for at least 20 years - only
for the kids.

Same situation where we are, nowhere within a good 2 hour drive taking on new NHS patients. I still have one & they will accept kids of existing patients but no new NHS. Husband doesn’t have one & private hasn’t actually worked out crazily expensive however that’s mainly because he’s just had check ups £60 (compared to NHS £27 so not ridiculously more expensive really), no issues found so no further work required. I do know my friend has a private dentist and her last filling appointment was over £200, so I think the costs do stack up quickly if you needed any actual work done.

I know someone who moved nearly 2 hours away and then got married and had children, but still comes home for the dentist. Neither me or partner changed when we moved, mines over half hour and his is nearly an hour away. It's not really that big a problem.

Im very lucky to have an NHS dentist that i believe are still taking on new people.
Found them by chance after calling every dentist in a 50 mile range.

Yes. Haven't had NHS dentist for more than 7 years.

I live in a big city - no NHS dentist available. There hasn't been for decades

No nhs dentist taking on patients in Dorset - nearest to us is Bristol which is a 4 hour round trip…
I’ve been looking and contacting dentists trying for over 8 years and no luck.

I go private as there's literally no NHS places anywhere near my home. If at all in the whole of London.

It really depends on what's wrong with your teeth. If they're good then checkups aren't that expensive. Hygiene treatment you have to pay for anyway even if you have NHS. I had fourteen composites needed and that obviously cost a lot, but it was over several months.

If you've got tons of work needs doing it can mount up. You only pay on the day for what they do, so you wouldn't need to give them a huge lump sum up front.

You could try and get denplan or another insurance?

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