Incredulous about what the dentist said to me.

[GranolaLover]

Bit of background first. I had to go to the dentist about a month ago as an emergency as I had had raging toothache for 4 days. It was the first time I'd been to the dentist in 10 years as basically couldn't afford it as I'm not working,on disability benefits. Have only found out from the receptionist at this visit that I am probably entitled to free,or reduced cost treatment as I'm on a low income. Anyway,I had the tooth removed as the dentist said it was 'past saving'. Fine,no problem with that,just wanted to get of the pain. But I asked him what could be done about my front,lower teeth. I lost one of the front middle ones about 2 years ago,and since then the one next to has moved slightly inwards,hence I have a gap at the front,with a wonky tooth next to it. Thankfully,it is not too visible. I have quite bad tartare build-up on the backs of my front teeth,which no amount of brushing or flossing can get rid of. It is probably what caused the tooth to fall out. I was surprised when the dentist said 'nothing could be done' about my teeth,as I had neglected them! I was and . I thought in these days of fantastic dentistry that something could be done to improve the look of them. I rather got the impression his attitude was 'Well what do you expect if you don't go to the dentist regularly?'. Anyone else experienced anything like this,or had a similar tooth problem to mine,but had it sorted?

Granola, get real. They’re your teeth, your responsibility.
You need to sort yourself out, and accept the blame your teeth are a mess.

Go to have them cleaned at least once a year.
See your dentist yearly too.

One quid a week saved would easily see you sorted.

It’s not the dentist’s fault your teeth are covered in plaque and need to be removed because of decay and infection.
It’s your “fault”. Accept that and move on.

I don't trust NHS dentists at all. After dc's and dental treatment for a number of years (maternity and all that) I went to the dentist after the time was up and I had to pay full whack again.

It was incredible, I'd been going for years with him barely glancing at my teeth. What an astonishing coincidence, then, that suddenly my teeth needed loads of work doing on them, just at the very moment that I had to start paying through the nose for it again.

If it was an emergency dental appointment they aren't really 'your dentist' and it's not the point of the appointment. Find a regular dentist and book an exam appointment if you want a discussion about other problems. It's like going to A and E and after they've treated you asking about a jippy knee thats been a bit sore for a decade.

Charolais Its about £2000 plus for an implant here in the U.K. Places that are cheaper are Hungary and Poland. I think there privces start at aboout £800 for one.

From what I gather you were in pain with a tooth. You were seen by an NHS dentist - for a low / non-existent fee promptly. You had the offending tooth removed there and then. You started asking for more treatment from someone that was not your dentist (they can't keep patients 'on the books' now if they don't attend for ten years as it means new patients will never be seen) and they said 'sorry that's not what I'm here for'.

10 years of neglect will take more than that to fix. I'm sorry.

lovemylover I am in Scotland where perhaps things are different, but I walk past two dental surgeries on my way to work, both of which offer a mixture of private and NHS care - both have signs in their windows saying they welcome new NHS patients. My own surgery is mainly private with some NHS. I am an NHS patient because I’ve been registered there since I was a child. A few weeks ago I mentioned one of my students who was having problems and unhappy with her dentist, and my dentist actually said to send her over and she would see her as an NHS patient.

I think that your dentist was just having a bad day he/she was rude. I would bite my tounge and visit once more and if she/he is still rude change dentist. Lots of people avoid the dentist for many reasons. So i would expect the dentist to be warm and welcoming as you are more likely to return.

Granola Just a little tip that may help.

Extra virgin Coconut oil , 1 teaspoon Baking Soda and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt into a paste and brush slowly once over to make sure all plaque has been covered. Then brush normaly for 2 mins (This helps remove plaque). Rinse well. It can be done without the oil and with toothpaste. (Many diffrent ways of doing this see youtube and google)
Do not do this often as it will Damage your teeth .

Swish with coconut oil often as it is a great anti inflammtory.
A Salt and warm water rince also wards off infection.
Please see your dentist at least once every 6 months the last thing you want is your teeth falling out.

RidingWindhorses If you are exempt from paying then you can still get crowns done on the NHS. I know because I've had one done.

OP, I think you need a second opinion, if you have a lot of tartar they should be able to do a scale and polish for you. Also they will do some very limited cosmetic work on the NHS. I have a tooth thats gone dark and they would be prepared to whiten it for me.
I'd ring up the dental advise line and see if you can either get in with or be put on the waiting list for another NHS dentist in your area.

Depends why you lost that first bottom front tooth. You say the remaining ones have a bad build up of tartar. This, if left (and you say you have not had the tartar removed by scaling and polishing) will cause serious gum disease and loss of bone, that the teeth sit in, the teeth become loose and move. The bone cannot be replaced, a dentist will be very unlikely to do any big restorative work on teeth that have no bone around the roots. Hence the comment. I would spend the money on a good clean and hygienist advice and get those gums healthy and see what you are left with and what your dentist thinks can be done.

It's expensive in the UK, Charolais.

Someone I know was quoted £32,000 for implants here, he went to Poland or somewhere and got the same work done for 7,000 euros.

The look fantastic, too - not brilliant white and fake looking, but like he's got excellent natural teeth.

How did you not know your dental care was subsidised if you get benefits?! They even write to you to tell you. A scrape and polish is normally included under that level of cover and if they're saying it's not you need to sign up to another.

You should go to see the hygienist, save up that £45, why wouldn’t you want to do what you can to improve the health of your teeth and gums, unless you WANT years of fillings, extractions, pain and gum disease?

Literally cost pennies a day to add floss, interdental brushes and mouth wash to your routine.

Op. He was very rude imo. Just go find another dentist and I would actually mention why you left your previous one. I’ve had dental anxiety most of my life and for years avoided going to the dentist. About 6 years ago I found an amazing dentist who made me feel so relaxed and was non Judgmental regarding my dental issues. I actually enjoy going to get my teeth checked now and have almost perfect healthy teeth and gums.

Well, it’s your own fault isn’t it? Yet another example of society’s race to pass personal responsibly onto others.

Thank goodness for net contributors like Flouncy and their superior wisdom

I thought everyone knew you get free dentistry if you’re a low earner/ on benefits?

Well, you didn’t so that’s neither here nor there I suppose.

You can have one tooth dentures fitted, and braces to straighten out the other one, or even a false tooth screwed into the bone. But you have to pay for them. Even children don’t get free orthodontry anymore unless quite bad teeth, and that’s what you want ...an orthodontist.

Also was he quite old?

My elderly dentist filed my chipped teeth down and they just chipped again but now are too short. He retired and was replaced by a lovely young dentist who said he should never have done it. She also cleaned my teeth and did X-rays which they haven’t Dont at a check up before. Some dentists are outdated because hey don’t have to stay current like doctors, to an extent that is.

Well, it’s your own fault isn’t it? Yet another example of society’s race to pass personal responsibly onto others.

I left it 10+ years between dentist visits. A number of reasons:

• Mild phobia
• Low income, but not low enough to claim benefits - a situation many find themselves in. Faced with a choice between a dental check-up and that week's food/bus ticket etc, obviously you're going to choose food and transport first.
• Long waiting lists. I'm in Cornwall. The waiting time here is currently at least 18 months - 14,000 people on the list in May 2017. And then you may have to wait six months before you can get an initial appointment, let alone any treatment.

I normally hate the phrase "check your privilege" but it's applicable to many on this thread.

kernowgal was your mild phobia caused by the same Cornish school dentist who accidentally let his drill slip and nicked my tongue?

@lovemylover there are two NHS dentists within a mile of me that are taking new clients 

And @Charolais you cannot get NHS subsidised treatment in the UK if you’re not a citizen or entitled via living here. It’s not like medical care. You’d be looking at 2-3k in GBP

I'm a CAB volunteer, this is a bit long but hope it is helpful. I live in England so my comments relate to that though the checker does cover England Wales and Scotland and a link to info for NI.

the following link gives details of when you can get help with health costs. There are two schemes - one is for people who are on certain income based benefits who automatically get full help. The second is low income scheme, this needs a lot more information as they are assessing at that point whether the rules say you can afford to pay.

things to look out for to avoid penalties if you claim based on a benefit you get

• make sure that you are on income based job seekers or income related employment and support allowance. You may be on contributions based. This might be more likely if you have been on ESA for a long time and are in support group or if you have just were paying NI have left work and claimed ESA/JSA (called new style JSA/ESA if you are in full service universal credit area). The amount is the same and you may be entitled to help under the low income scheme
• get a tax credits exemption certificate if you are eligible from HMRC
• if you are on pension credit guarantee you can just tick the box. When you get your proper state pension that can change. If your state pension is the same or more than your pension credit allowance the pension credit stops. It might not always be obvious because you may still get the same money. You must apply under the low income scheme.

• the rules for universal credit are quite complicated, especially if you are working so look each time

The citizens advice website has information and links to NHS sites on help with health costs. The link below is for England - if you are in other part of U.K. you can change the country covered just below the heading "Help with health costs"

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/help-with-health-costs/help-with-health-costs/

You can check your circumstances

services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check-for-help-paying-nhs-costs/start

My dentist merely checks my teeth for any signs of deterioration/issues health wise. My hygienist however does all the day to day care such as polishing etc so might be worth booking in with one. There is cosmetic dentistry but to my knowledge that comes out your own pocket and can cost £££. You could go back and ask for clarification as to why nothing can be done or what you can do to prevent the issue getting worse. I wouldn’t say it’s bad chair manners if his telling the truth. It’s hard to hear that you haven’t looked after them. I could have cried when I was told drinking sugar free squash for years had rotted 6 of my teeth. Luckily I caught them in time for fillings but there is no polite way to say you haven’t looked after, it’s your habits that have done this. After speaking to my hygienist my teeth and gums are in much better shape and I know what signs etc to look out for so it may be £45 for a visit but £45 well spent if you get good advice

So many people say in a quite matter of fact way 'I HATE the dentist' then expect their dentist to be quite friendly.

Adding on from singasong12 the gov.uk website has a health care checker for what your entitled to
www.gov.uk/help-nhs-costs