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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

NHS dentists closed

55 replies

Orangeblossom1975 · 08/03/2021 17:20

Why is this? Private dentists are available - the NHS one is closed.
I understand for a while during the Spring but now it is still closed
'Try back in April'

OP posts:
chocoholic2021 · 08/03/2021 17:25

As far as I’m aware it’s due to restrictions on the number of patients who can be seen per day with the covid restrictions in place. It’s not financially viable to treat NHS patients at the moment.

eaglerising · 08/03/2021 17:27

Mine's not. So it's not all of them.

Unicornsdosparkle · 08/03/2021 17:28

My NHS dentist in the midlands is open.

Alfaix · 08/03/2021 17:31

Not closed but it is March. They have probably used all their units/ funding for now- new funding starts 1st April.
This actually happens every year regardless of Covid but it is more noticeable this year due to being closed for 3 months and then having very strict operating procedures which have cut the number of patients that can be seen in half.
Private- well we are mostly working between two surgeries so better funding has solved that problem. Also we can and have put our fees up to take account of all the Covid precautions.

minniemoocher · 08/03/2021 17:33

Been trying to get a dentist for 9 months, had to use the emergency dentist in the end because the pain was unbearable. No nhs dentists are available for new patients in the sw- and mine is 200 miles away where I used to live, not much use in a pandemic

EBearhug · 08/03/2021 17:33

I've got a check-up next week with my NHS dentist.

edwinbear · 08/03/2021 17:35

Mine haven't been doing routine check ups for a year, but they did see DS very quickly a few weeks ago, when he had an adult tooth come through without dislodging the baby tooth.

Original poster
Orangeblossom1975 · 08/03/2021 17:48

This is in the SW too. Nothing else around for miles. Shouldn't they get more government support to stay open, seeing as it is essential health treatment? We never hear much mention about dentists but it is meaning a two tier system atm.

OP posts:
PyjamaFan · 08/03/2021 17:54

I'm in the East Midlands and I have a dentist appointment booked for May. I've also seen the hygienist twice since September

MsFogi · 08/03/2021 17:58

I think some dentists are taking the piss - the dc's dentist was able to take them privately but not on the NHS (they seem to be using the situation to get NHS patients to move to private treatment). I have now registered them with my dentist (who I see privately) and they have been able to book them in as NHS patients no problem.

SamanthaJayne4 · 08/03/2021 20:33

I had an NHS checkup last Monday. They won't do any treatment unless it's an emergency. They are mainly trying to catch up with checkups. That was with Gentle Dental.

letseatgrandma · 08/03/2021 20:34

My sister is an NHS dentist and hasn’t stopped working. Appointments take much longer because of all the cleaning though.

QueenOfLabradors · 08/03/2021 20:35

My NHS dentist emailed me a few days ago to remind me to make my check up appointment. Also southwest. I honestly think it depends on your dentist not on your area.

harridan50 · 08/03/2021 20:36

My family have all had appointments, x-rays and I have seen the hygenist. Think this is down to individual dentists

Bagelsandbrie · 08/03/2021 20:39

It must be an area / individual dentist thing.

We are in South Norfolk and I had a same day emergency dental appointment 2 days ago. Rang at 8.30am and was seen at 10.30.

HazeyJaneII · 08/03/2021 20:40

Also In the SW, and our NHS dentist is open, as is ds's special needs service.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 08/03/2021 20:44

No NHS check ups here (south Wales). My kids and I were last seen in December 2019.....

daisychicken · 08/03/2021 20:48

SW here, we've had NHS regular check ups and emergency treatment. I think it must be individual dentists.

hilariousnamehere · 08/03/2021 20:50

I managed to re-register as NHS and get a broken tooth checked and fixed within a week - was actually really impressed. East of England - it must vary by practice?

Bleughbleughbleugh12 · 08/03/2021 20:53

No NHS dentist in SE taking on new patients. Not sure if appts are still available for current patients though

Bleughbleughbleugh12 · 08/03/2021 20:54

But yes surely it will end soon?!? The pandemic can’t be used an excuse for everything for the foreseeable...

Greyrootszerohoots · 08/03/2021 20:54

Mine hasn’t reopened since the start of the pandemic unless you have severe pain or swelling that affects eating/breathing.

I’m annoyed because I had a temporary filing while pregnant, due a crown last April. Mat certificate now expired so I’ll have to cough up for the crown.

I’ve registered at another dentist which was open, but they can’t see me until august.

QueenPaw · 08/03/2021 20:55

Mine is open, NHS and private. I'm on denplan and had a check up and hygienist appointment (NW)

ChickenSoupForTheHmm · 08/03/2021 20:57

In east mids had a family appointment arranged for last March obviously that was cancelled they cannot see any of us (nhs patients) but have been routinely seeing their private patients for months. Any public health crisis looming for children’s oral health and again the financially worse off disproportionately affected by Covid I think the whole situation is bloody awful.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 08/03/2021 20:58

My nhs dentist rang last week and booked us in for two weeks time. South East