AIBU to be annoyed with the dentist?

[MaggieFS]

I really don't know what to make of this. I'm fortunate to have an NHS dentist, I rarely need anything doing and pay for my check ups twice per year.

I last saw the dentist in October, was due to go in April which was postponed understandably to June, and they've just called to say they can't see any non urgent NHS patients until September.

They are open for urgent treatment or would happily see me privately.

I am pregnant and won't see a dentist at all therefore during this pregnancy (due late Aug). I thought it was important to be checked whilst pregnant which is why you are entitled to free NHS treatment during pregnancy.

I think I'm annoyed because it feels like the latest in a long line of moves to try and push out NHS patients (fewer dentists working fewer hours on NHS, least convenient times only etc).

I'm aware that lots are not yet open and also that I have an NHS dentist at all, but given that, the fact is they are open, I'm annoyed. AIBU?

Sorry but as someone who has had excruciating pain with dental problems for years, including during lockdown, I can completely understand why urgent treatment is prioritised.

I pay private due to traumatic experiences with an NHS dentist. I have serious pain and can't eat solid food right now - they still can't fit me in for two weeks. So no, check-ups aren't a priority.

Even if you wanted a check-up right now as a private patient most dentists are not booking appointments for months. So you must have a dentist with space!! My private dentist can't fit private patients in for check ups for months as they're prioritising urgent work.

Surely then you should be annoyed at the ones making the NHS policy, not the dentists themselves.

Sorry I missed a bit

They are seeing urgent patients from other practices too, not just their own existing urgent patients.

Dentists are having to work on very reduced capacity at the moment to meet the new infection control procedures - think one patient per hour instead of 4-6, so they can only see people with immediate problems and routine check ups will have to wait.

Yes, that makes sense. Because people who have horrendous dental pain need to be seen before people without any problems. Why is that hard to understand? I am honestly glad you have never had dental problms, because it is something I wouldn't wish on anyone.

I think you are unreasonable. The dentist is under no obligation to see you as an NHS patient. They don’t have patient lists anymore and consequently you don’t have an NHS dentist. They are only obliged to offer you NHS treatment if they can. Have you asked why they are not offering NHS treatment before you complain?

If they are short of ppe and staff then they might be only offering NHS care for emergencies because of the amount of time and cost it takes to suit up and decontaminate. I can see why a non urgent check up should be paid for privately and not under the NHS. Do you have any indication of dental disease other than the increased risk of this happening during pregnancy?

My surgery usually has 7 dentists working, right now they can only have 2 at a time. Very limited capacity. I am not sure why you are resentful of people in pain being seen over people without any problems?

Are you saying you should be prioritised over someone in agony?

I think you are being a little unreasonable. Can you imagine how many people who have had non urgent problems haven't been seen in the last 12 weeks? Think about those who have fractured a tooth, broken/ lost a denture or crown, there will simply be 100's of them per practice. Now take into account the social distancing still required, the through put of patients is approximately 10% of normal.
Also you don't know what percentage your practice gets paid from the NHS. It could be as little as 10% of pay, therefore they may only allocate 10% of their time to providing NHS services. So I think it is very reasonable to be offering exams in September. HTH

I had to get a tooth extracted 2 weeks ago because I was in so much pain and they were not allowed to do any alternative treatment other than an extraction. It was devastating, but that is how severe the pain is.

Check ups aren't urgent , have you ever had tooth ache, its excruciating , dentists are in such a mess, they have to spend and hour and a half deep cleaning after each patient, they can't use a drill at the moment because it's unsafe , why would you want a check up at the expense of someone in agony ??

I understand you're frustrated but they're working under really strict guidelines. We have two practises in our town - both are closed and are referring people to a practise nearly an hour away for emergency treatment early. If you're lucky they might give you a prescription for antibiotics or painkillers if you need them.

There are no routine appointments, check-ups or anything like that - serious emergencies only.

I would have thought that after emergencies, next priority should go to those with most need of a check-up. I rather hope that dentists, while they are waiting for lockdown to end, are going through their records to work out who to call in for checkups first. There must be some, particularly children, where there were potential concerns at the last check-up, and they ought to be prioritised. There would no doubt be sense in asking patients to let them know if they are pregnant so they can by jumped up the queue a bit, although I doubt you're the highest priority.

I don't think private should take precedence, but unfortunately with the way dentists are funded, I suspect that would require a ruling to that effect from government, and some compensation. They're going to be able to see far fewer patients than normal, and they will already have lost a lot of money.

YABU, I am sure they would love to treat you, but they have to do as they’re told by the health boards. It’s just not open to them to offer normal services. Whether that’s right or wrong is another issue but it isn’t the dentist’s fault

@BarbaraofSeville Thank you, given given how hygienic dental practices are anyway, I didn't know there would be such a knock on timing effect.

@LemonTT Yes, I asked and that was the answer, 'we're only taking urgent patients or private patients. We can see you this week if you want a private appointment'.

I'm sorry to hear of those in such pain. I had been under the impression access had still been available for urgent needs. I was clearly wrong and am now better informed. I hope you are able to get treatment soon.

You are very unreasonable and sound quite self centered. There are thousands of people all over the UK at the moment in severe pain where the only option is have the tooth pulled even if it is at the front. They can also put up with it and risk infection, abscess and months of expensive follow up care due to not being able to be seen during the lockdown.
There are people that can't eat solid food, that are on their 3rd course of antibiotic and are in agony due to dental problem.
Maybe go away and think about how bloody lucky you are instead of whining like a spoiled child.

@MaggieFS All good. To be honest, if your dentist is offering private check-ups that is even unheard of at the moment.

Yabu

My private dentist is back up and running for all appointments, ds and I have a check up booked in for tomorrow. They are cleaning between every patient and you have to wait in your car until they come and let you in. They are doing pre appointments over the phone to keep time in the surgery down to a minimum so they've already taken a medical history etc. I'm very impressed with them.

So you think you deserve to be pushed to the front of the queue because you're pregnant but not currently experiencing any dental issues? Your desire for a free check up should come before someone's desperate, urgent need for emergency dental treatment causing infection and considerable pain? Can you hear me rolling my eyes from where you are?

I have a private dentist and broke a tooth a couple of weeks ago that thankfully they saw me as an emergency but they are not doing any routine appointments when they start back full time next week.

I have a tooth literally crumbling in my mouth and cannot get an appointment even now OP. I do think it's a shame a pregnant woman can't get her check up, but unfortunately the back-log of emergencies must be enormous and must be cleared first, so it is what it is.

OP you're being ridiculous

There are people with broken teeth unable to get help...stop being so precious!

YABU
Dentists are only supposed to be doing emergencies at the moment.
Also if you are pregnant you’re more vulnerable to Covid so I wouldn’t be going unless in pain.
The free treatment also lasts for 12 months after the birth so you should get seen by then. The main reason is pregnancy gingivitis so make sure that you are brushing and flossing really well.