To wonder what's the difference between a Doctor and a Dentist?

[Islandlady]

In terms of appointments.

If I am ill with an on going medical problem I will see any doctor in my GP practise so why cant I see any dentist in my dental practise, why do I HAVE to see the same dentist all the time.

I have waited a MONTH to see my dentist, only to be told that as she is leaving in a month I would have to rebook with a different dentist, she cant start my treatment and then hand over to another dentist when she leaves WHY??????

As it happens my Bridge was loose and I needed to get it fixed it actually fell out last weekend just before a job interview luckily managed to get it put back before interview ( got the job BTW) now its fallen out again and the post is broken so will start my new job with three front teeth missing (nice)

I had HOPED that todays appointment would be the start of treatment to get it fixed but no.

I will have to see a new dentist on Wednesday and start the process all over again, good thing I had already come clean about me teeth at the interview as I knew I would need time off .

I feel that I have wasted a month, would like to change surgery but am NHS
and its difficult to find a dentist who will accept new NHS patients.

I would grind my teeth with rage (if i had any)

That's a crap service.

You can see either of the Dentists and my local surgery, although you still can't get an appointment inside 3 weeks.

Frequently each dentist will hold a different contract, think of them as self employed practitioners who subcontract a set amount of time to the NHS. GPs don;t have this system.

If you see one dentist, they may feel your treatment is necessary to secure your oral health (the aim of NHS dentistry) another dentist may not feel this way and deem some treatment to be cosmetic so why should they foot the bill for what the last dentist said?

It's all to do with how NHS dentistry is funded relative to GP care. Write to your MP!

If my dentist is unavailable I can request another one if I really can't wait. Though the last time I did that I was unsatisfied with the work done by the other dentist.