What are you supposed to do if you can't get a dentist?

[Houseonahill]

I'm a single mum of a 2 year old, we recently moved 70 miles and I have been trying to find a new dentist for us both and no one is accepting NHS patients I have rang 12 so far within a 15 mile radius. What are you supposed to do? I can't afford private.

Is there a dental hospital near you? I attended one when I couldn’t get an nhs dentist until I found one.

No my nearest dental hospital is further than my old dentist

Sorry, I have no other advice, it took me 4 months to find an nhs dentist taking on. I just rang all my local dentists regularly because they kick people off their books if they don’t turn up to an appointment and I wanted their place! I hope you find one soon.

The nhs website will find one near you so you don't just have to call them up randomly:

www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Dentists/LocationSearch/3

You just put your postcode in and then scroll down looking for the YES in green to accepting new patients

I've just had this exact problem. I ended up signing up to a dentist in the city as none locally to me were taking on patients. A 30 minute drive was better than repeatedly calling dentists every few weeks to try and get a place.

Has the 2 year old ever been? My HV asked about the dentist at DSs 2 year check, so if you explained to her she might be able to help.

lauriefairycake thank you but I live in Wales and unfortunately it doesn't do that, which is stupid, you just get a list of dentists.

I have just booked in with my old dentist for now but it's an hour and 15 drive so not ideal.

Yes I used to take her to my old dentist and I haven't had a 2 year check, not sure why.

We have the same issue in Cornwall. We have had to go on a waiting list for NHS dentists and, when we get to the top of the list, we will be allocated whoever has NHS spaces - when they have NHS vacancies!! There are people who have been on the list for 5+ years and not been allocated a dentist. The fact I’m pregnant means nothing and we just have to wait our turn to reach the top of the list. Previous dentist is a no go as they are 4-5 hour drive away so would need an overnight stay and just isn’t practical if treatment is needed.

See a private dentist until you can get an NHS one maybe?

www.wales.nhs.uk/ourservices/findannhsdentist

This is the link for wales. You can either ring the number given or follow the link to put your postcode in, if you put your postcode in I'm sure it does what Laurie says.

You either pay privately or keep trying. I would try again in September time. Or you do both if it's urgent I.e. one private check up and then keep trying to find an NHS.

What about a yearly plan? Sometimes sainsburies or boots dentists do a daily cheap yearly plan. That might be something to look at in the meantime. Or you keep going back to your old dentist

We are the same and got a private dentist where the DC are free until adult, and use insurance for ourselves- a cheap one around £9 a month. It is much better and doesn't cost that much with the insurance (makes everything half price) - especially with the DC going free.

We'd been waiting years until daughter needed emergency treatment and the dentist she saw for it was happy to take on the whole family. Without that we'd still be waiting, my parents can afford private but went on the NHS waiting list before us and are still waiting.

There isn't one with spaces at all here on the Isle of Wight.

If you have a dental emergency they will make you an appointment with someone through 111. So I would keep ringing round, do a good job on the little one's teeth and if you have any problems in the meantime make an emergency appt.

Have you looked into a dental insurance plan? A monthly payment might take the sting out of a private bill.

@chuttypicks, some of us can’t afford to see private dentists!!

How often are you going to the dentist? That journey once every six months sounds doable.

I just paid £435 privately. Good isn’t it. No NHS dentists in a 50 mile radius. It was pay that or not get fillings and wait for my teeth to decay further.