To not understand how the dentist works? Can someone please explain?

[WannabeOT]

This probably sounds stupid but I just do not get how the dentist system works. We moved to this area 18 months ago and I still haven't registered us anywhere.

Firstly, none of the practices around here advertise on their websites whether they take NHS patients. I have no idea what I would need to pay for or how much. I would go as a private patient but I worry I'm going to get talked into something that costs ££. I'd get dental insurance but again no idea where to start.

I need 2 year old DD to have a check up. some of the dentist's around here say not taking children on their NHS page . I have contacted one place about joining and their website says a child check up is £32, do children not get NHS treatment as standard?

The prices on the various websites also vary massively. Standard checks up varying from 40-£80, they all seem to advertise Botox or cosmetic dentistry all over their home pages. I just want a normal family dentists, does that actually exist anymore?

I am having the same problems! I can't find an NHS dentist that will have me. The websites say they are accepting NHS patients but when I contact them they say they're not.

Same here op!

I've had to pay £49 for an emergency private appointment for dd (she's 12). In 10 days time!

The ones your looking at sound private so no children don’t get it free there. You need to look for an nhs dentist you may have to ring like 15 practices but they do exist. Try looking in newspapers as they advertise in there that’s how I found mine. On nhs prices children get it free but adults don’t unless you are on some benefits I believe. I pay £25 for a check up at mine and £35 for the hygienist who I see every 6 months.!

I'd ask on a local Facebook page you should get idea of helpful practices. I go to a private dentist but my son is seen by them for free and I get a discount because they get the NHS funding for his dental care. So that maybe where you find yourself. Sadly NHS spaces for adults do seem very rare wherever you are.

I'm Scotland based, so different system, but a few points are probably universal just now.
Firstly dental practices have been hard hit this last year due to Covid and they are mostly still offering a reduced service, due to many pandemic related reasons, such as increased risk of virus transmission due to aerosols, maintaining social distancing etc. Our practice alone had to cancel 1500 child examinations last year doing lockdown. The priority lies with catching up on work on existing patients rather than registering new patients unfortunately.
Personally I would call every practice up in the vicinity and ask to get put in waiting lists, should a space become available.
I would also ask if they have a general health board enquiry number that you can call to find out what local practices are taking on new patients. Also I would ask what the emergency number is for unregistered patients as well, just in case of emergencies.
If you are happy to pay private you may have better luck finding a place. You could ask about Denplan. Which is a monthly fee, depending on the state if your existing teeth, that covers all treatment, apart from potential lab fees.
Dental practices generally should be very helpful, when trying to sign up plan patients. Ask for a price list to be sent out in advance, to give you an idea what the costs are.
A lot of employers offer health/dental insurance packages, or you could seek one yourself, that will help cover costs of treatment. Ask your employer/partners employer.
Or check out the main providers such as Aviva

I have denplan which my dentist uses. I pay about £20pm and it covers me for the majority of treatment and 2 check ups and 2 hygienist appointments a year
I was with them as an NHS patient but moved house and lost the place

If you're in England then the following may be useful. There is information about finding a dentist at the bottom of the page
www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/what-happens-when-you-visit-the-dentist/

Check nhs website nhs dentist into google
You put in your postcode.
Then a lost of dentists comes up nearest to furthest from your house just ring down the list. One of them will e accepting NHS patients.
A different option is. If it's an emergency.
And you ring 111 they will know which dentists are accepting patients. They will know of a couple close to your house.

Thanks, asking on FB seems like a good idea. I have found one in the next town that had a section about NHS patients so hopefully they will have space. I'm most worried about getting DD seen and I'll pay for myself. I've contacted a few. Annoyingly there's one just down the road, walking distance, but I can't tell if it is private or not.

I emailed every practice within reasonable driving distance to me and found one that way. I'm pretty rural though so might be different if you live in a town/city.

NHS dental provision has dropped right off unfortunately!

If you're happy to go private. They are usually all accepting private patients, probably best to get a recommendation on the best practice.
Some dentists if you are a private patient will then automatically accept any of your children. Just check if that will be NHS or on a private basis.

Nobody is taking on nhs, it's a nightmare. Some private dentists will register your kids as nhs if you pay privately. And some are more transparent with pricing than others. A family dental plan is another option. In emergency if you call 111 they can get you an appointment but only if you need urgent basic treatment. I've used the emergency dentist twice and it's fine but not a substitute for having your own

Erm, maybe ring and ask them?

No nhs dentists were accepting patients at all in my area so I registered myself and 3 year old with local bupa dentist (private). My check up was 40 quid, he was free. They recommended booking a clean with the hygienist but I'm going to wait until nhs start taking patients again to do that as its not emergency. Is annoying though as I should be exempt from any payment due to maternity but oh well! I just wanted my ds checked out, like you do

If I get a family dental plan does that mean I can just register as a private patient and the plan covers costs?

Yeah that's what my denplan does

I don't want to ring around all the dental practices in the area, they should have adequate and clear information on their websites.

This is my dentist, there's a list of pricing privately and a link to the NHS pricing bands if it helps, also a denplan link
https://www.andrewbennison.co.uk

It's hard to ring up and ask them if you're not sure exactly what you're asking about!

Have you tried "My Dentist" Here in Dorset they have several .(NHS ) and very good as well worth a google !

Also about 600 across all of Europe/uk!

@GravityFalls

It's hard to ring up and ask them if you're not sure exactly what you're asking about!

Hello. Do you take NHS patients?

No? OK, do you know anyone locally who does?

@WannabeOT

If I get a family dental plan does that mean I can just register as a private patient and the plan covers costs?

The one used by our private dentist covers two checkups and two hygienist appointments a year, and gives 20% off treatments

@WannabeOT

If I get a family dental plan does that mean I can just register as a private patient and the plan covers costs?

Usually, private practices offer Denplan and will tell you what level of cover you need. So getting Denplan first without seeing the de rust is a bit chicken and egg, IYSWIM.

Our - like PPs - takes me & DH as private patients (one combined Denplan payment) and sees the DC free under NHS.

I know it’s annoying having to ring up but it’s the easiest at the moment as pandemic has made everything very hard for dentistry and also at least you’ll get a feel for whether they’re friendly & happy to explain stuff on the phone. Goes a long way!