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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Incredulous about what the dentist said to me.

196 replies

GranolaLover · 11/01/2018 19:01

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 Shock and Blush. 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?

OP posts:
Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 12/01/2018 19:11

Not everyone who doesn't take regular exercise needs actual medical care as a result? It can't be compared to ten years of dental neglect.

Fintress · 12/01/2018 19:12

Fluffywuffy you are being overcharged as our private dentist just did 2 crowns and a filling for my husband for just over £300

Shock I have just been quoted £550 for a crown at my dentist which seems to be pretty standard in the area I live in.

WorldPeasAndSweetcorn · 12/01/2018 19:13

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

Indeed

WorldPeasAndSweetcorn · 12/01/2018 19:14

What does being fat have to do with poor dental hygiene? Or laziness...

Slightlyperturbedowlagain · 12/01/2018 19:15

They won’t do general check up type things at an emergency appointment (sorry if someone has said this already haven’t RTFT) you probably need to ask about registering properly and arrange an initial review appointment.

WorldPeasAndSweetcorn · 12/01/2018 19:15

Unless the dentist’s tone was VERY brusque I’m unclear as to how he was rude?

mindutopia · 12/01/2018 19:28

He's right. You very likely could get free care. I was under the assumption that everyone on benefits was entitled to free care. Certainly, if you've ever been pregnant, you would have gotten free care.

Otherwise a basic appt to check your teeth, do x-rays and clean tartar build up is like 17 quid I now I think. It's well worth the cost for routine care - even if you can't afford to do it every 6 months. Every year is better than nothing. Most people can manage to afford that if they want it.

I've had nothing but wonderful NHS dental care. I used to live in the U.S. and I would say it's on par or better to the care I got there - and there was I paying at least $50 for a basic visit, x-rays or fillings could be $200 extra. I had a root canal and crown done on an infected tooth last year (on the NHS) and they were great, but it is more expensive than just pulling the tooth. It's the third tier of payments, so that's like 250 something, I think? It's well less than the $3000 it would cost you in the U.S.

But if you brush well, you can take really good care of your teeth with just routine visits, which don't have to be ridiculously expensive (and may even be free).

clarkl2 · 12/01/2018 19:30

Some proper judgey little b*tches on this thread. People who claim benefits aren't all about claiming the absolute maximum and many people genuinely do not know what they are entitled to.
So..... the princesses with the perfect smiles.... be thankful for them and perish the thought lets hope you never have to claim benefits.

Retired65 · 12/01/2018 20:11

One way to have found out if you are entailed to free dental care would have been to have checked with a dentist and to have used the internet to find out.

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 12/01/2018 20:16

Ridiculous post, clark

manicmij · 12/01/2018 20:23

If you are missing a front tooth you will probably be entitled to have a replacement. This can be a bridge or a crown on an adjacent tooth with the "fill in" one attached to that crown all in one unit. There may well be a contribution to the cost. But and it's a big but, not many dentists will undertake this unless you show you are looking after your teeth. The NHS does expect folk to at least care about their teeth and gums before getting assistance with treatment. Present yourself at a dentist admitting you need treatment and show you are willing to accept you need to look after your teeth. Ask for an estimate of all the recommended treatment found to be needed at an examination so you know how much you can afford.

Shouldnotwouldnot · 12/01/2018 20:27

I need something complicated doing to my tooth and my dentist told me the NHS wouldn’t do it they’d just take it out. Apparently there’s nowhere that will do it and I’m in London. Only option is private where it will cost a few thousand. Or tooth out

podzak · 12/01/2018 20:32

Are you sure this is Mumsnet?
From some of the comments it looks more like TrollsNet.

ConcreteUnderpants · 12/01/2018 20:42

Sorry OP, YABU.

You had toothache and then got free treatment despite not working/being registered with a dentist. I'd say that was a pretty good service.

The truth is you have neglected your teeth. The dentist is the qualified one who actually saw your mouth. Perhaps there really is nothing that can be done.
If you are that bothered, go and get a second opinion.

The NHS dentist isn't there to fix your wonky tooth simply because it doesn't look good; it's there to provide essential services. Which it successfully did.

MiniMum97 · 12/01/2018 20:51

He sounds rubbish. I would go to a different dentist. Get a recommendation. At the very least he should have done a scale and polish ur referred you to a hygienist as you need that tartar removed for the health of your teeth. There are lots if options for your front teeth but you would probably have to pay privately for anything deemed cosmetic. Hope that helps.

MiniMum97 · 12/01/2018 20:53

The NHS does do complex dentistry. If your dentist says they don’t find a new one. There is a whole complex dentistry process and specialist dentists who do the complex work. I know, I was referred to one for a complex root canal. They have to have additional qualifications and you get a choice as to who you see!

MumsTheWordYouKnow · 12/01/2018 20:54

You should not have been told that. The hygienist will scrape it all off your teeth. I too hadn’t been for 10 years from 18-28, I was lucky as only needed a couple of filings replaced. Some dentists are horrible though or useless. See another dentist, see if you can get a recommendation.

caringcarer · 12/01/2018 21:05

My dentist always does a scrape and polish for me when I go for my check up. I do pay for treatment though. I don't know if would be carried out on NHS.

clyd · 12/01/2018 21:22

I was very poor in my late teens/early 20s, suffered trauma and grief so my mental health wasn’t good - going to the dentist was unaffordable and honestly not on my radar. My life transformed in my mid 20s and in the last ten years everything has been great but the gum disease that took hold took literally years of 3/4 monthly hygienist visits (at £45 a trip) and two very deep cleans to rectify - even to this day I’m prone to a flare up if I’m under the weather (apparently some people are simply more prone to gum problems anyway). Dentistry is seriously expensive and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ve reversed the damage enough not to lose teeth. Get a second opinion if you can and get to a hygienist as soon as possible! Best of luck

lolalola19 · 12/01/2018 21:59

If you get free dental treatment then if it isn't a necessity the dentist was in the right - sorry 😐

TefalTester123 · 12/01/2018 22:15

Really glad that my period of not going to the dentist was in the early 80s when I had the suspicion that they were in it to make money out of unnecessary treatments.

Turned out to be TRUE.

Ontheboardwalk · 12/01/2018 22:18

Genetics impact your gums and teeth as well.

I see the hygienist privately every 6 months (£40 a pop) and I floss and use an air flosser thingy. If I don’t use them for even a week or two I notice the difference with sore gums. I pay NHS Charges for check ups etc

I know people have money difficulties but for £80 a year to keep my gums in check is worth it for me.

OP as other people have said find yourself an ongoing dentist and set up a plan to fix your problems

Ontheboardwalk · 12/01/2018 22:19

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/257839.stm

RitasEducation · 12/01/2018 22:23

Yes i had a similar experience, I visit for a regular clean my teeth were damaged from a previous ED.

My teeth are not great, I had two fillings this year 120 Euro each. I found the dentist rude, My ED should be in my notes, she had a real go at me as 2 of my wisdom teeth need to be removed. I think now that everyone is teeth obsessed the American smile, anything less is judged.

Do continue going to the dentist especially if it is paid for. It's worth the embarrassment.

Dungeondragon15 · 12/01/2018 22:27

If you get free dental treatment then if it isn't a necessity the dentist was in the right - sorry

What do you mean by "necessity". People who don't pay for NHS treatment get the same treatment as everyone else with an NHS dentist.