To think I should be able to see a dentist

[crinklyfoil]

Starting to get a bit frustrated. Never had problems with my teeth and had them cleaned by the dentist twice a year. Last had them done January 2020. Obviously stopped due to covid. My dentist was only taking emergency patients even when restrictions were lifted.

I’ve got a horrible taste in my mouth. It’s only temporarily relieved by toothpaste or mouthwash. It’s at the very back of my throat - really horrible. I suspect my teeth are long overdue for a really good professional clean.

But I can’t because we’ve now moved and none of the dentists are seeing NHS patients.

AIBU to think dental care is fucked up!?

If you also need the optician regularly I'd recommend something like Westfield health scheme to help spread the costs.

Thanks for the link soon but I spoke to several dentists this past week, or their receptionists more accurately. Pricing is well over £150 just for a clean. NHS would be free.

@crinklyfoil

Well no but I can’t really be driving two and a half hours to see a dentist!

If it were bad enough, and you can’t get an NHS dentist where you now live, or afford to pay privately, that may be your only option I’m afraid. Not ideal, I know.

@crinklyfoil

soon, a check up and a clean is £170. I am still entitled to free treatment on the nhs but in any event, it used to cost £30.

That's a very high price. In my area, which is quite expensive, private hygienist appointments are £50-£60 for 30 minutes, checkups around £50, but if you do both at one appointment, there's usually a discount.

Not only not ideal, not possible. It isn’t a question of it being ‘bad enough’, I’ve acknowledged it isn’t an emergency, but I think the point is that the dental system is so bad that small complaints become emergencies when really they shouldn’t be.

It’s around £70/80 for both and they won’t do the clean without a checkup.

Do you clean your teeth with a good electric toothbrush twice a day, floss and use mouthwash? I ask because i never need a professional dental clean as the dentist always says my teeth are nice and clean already. I think cleanings were more common when people didn't have good electric toothbrushes and the products we have now.
Otherwise have you visited gp incase you have reflux or a post nasal drip?

I've been trying for 2 years to get my autistic 5 year old an NHS dentist. We are on countless waiting lists and her teeth are rotting out of her head partly due to issues arising from her autism and part of it must just be down to bad genetics from her dads side. 111 and the NHS website aren't accurate. According to the website there's loads of dentists in my area taking on patients but when you call them they aren't. Ive tried going through the health visitors, school nurse team, GP, 111 with no joy.

During lockdown I called 111 with her crying in pain in the background and the dentist still refused to see her 🤬 I am a single parent and full time student. My income is even less than benefits but I have booked her a private check-up for the end of July. She's going to need several extractions, I assume under general so god only knows how much they charge for that.

I haven't been to the dentist for 9 years. 2/3 of my children have never been. We moved 9 years ago and I cannot get us into a dentist for love nor money. Everytime I ring, its no spaces, no waiting list. I ring round every dentist in a 10 mile radius, every school holiday (so 6 times a year). I can't afford private.

I know your AIBU was post-covid related but NHS dentistry in general is a disgrace.

I’ve obviously tried to clean them as well as I can myself but after a year and a half they do just need that bit more I think. I have quite closely packed teeth as well.

I am surprised the dentist said that, it’s always been impressed upon me to have teeth cleaned professionally at least twice a year.

uhtred and majorie that is awful [shocked]

And ‘visited’ my GP

There are twelfth century welsh castles that were easier to get into than my GP!

NHS dentists still aren’t seeing patients due to Covid and tbh the standard of care has been atrocious for a long time. There are some treatments they won’t even provide because it’s not worth the hassle. They do the basics and that’s all. I switched to a private dentist and they were shocked by the rushed and shoddy work the NHS dentist had done, much of it needed to be redone. Got my teeth fixed privately at a cost of £2k and they’re better than they’ve ever been.

@crinklyfoil

Thanks for the link soon but I spoke to several dentists this past week, or their receptionists more accurately. Pricing is well over £150 just for a clean. NHS would be free.

Try Googling some private dentists. I had a private hygienist appointment this week that cost £65, no check up with the dentist required. You just book an appointment online. The clinic is called sunnysmiles.co.uk They have several clinics. 🤞 they have one in your area.

I have!

Plus £65 is hardly an insignificant amount of money.

@crinklyfoil

Plus £65 is hardly an insignificant amount of money.

It’s quite a bit of money, but way less than the £150 that you were saying private dentists are charging “just for a clean”.

*'obviously tried to clean them as well as I can myself but after a year and a half they do just need that bit more I think. I have quite closely packed teeth as well.

I am surprised the dentist said that, it’s always been impressed upon me to have teeth cleaned professionally at least twice a year.'*

If that is he case it sounds like you have a buildnup of plaque. Do you use a good electric toothbrush? My teeth are close together too but i use thin floss and interdental brushes. There are so many great products now you really can keep them professionally clean youreself. If you are struggling can you contact a hygenist direct? Also the funny taste sounds like a possible reflux or post nasal drip? Have you been to gp? Any other symptoms?

But that is what they are charging here. I’ve spoken to six this last week.

the*

I don’t think there is a terrible build up but there will be some especially in the harder to clean areas. But () I didn’t start the thread for dental advice. I brush thoroughly twice a day, I have no fillings, my teeth are good. Until recently I saw my dentist twice a year. Now I will next be able to see one again when I can afford it, which seems wrong.

I went to a private hygienist to have scale and polish - didn't need a check up. It cost about £55 and I'm in the home counties. I tried to have my teeth cleaned when I was pregnant and none of the NHS dentists do it - its only available via their private hygienist

I'm a bit pleased about this but I managed to get us all registered with a new dentist and a family appointment for 4 (although first appointment was october) - it was via a bupa dentists which I was surprised by as didnt realise they did nhs

I’m not in the Home Counties. But the problem is they all insist I have to have an initial checkup then a professional clean. Both appointments are around the £70 mark.

I've got 2 teeth that need surgical removal. They are taking it in turns to get infected, and the dentist just keeps handing out antibiotics. Was referred to the hub at the hospital over a year ago and still waiting. Of course if I paid privately I could have it done tomorrow.

You could try taking out a Cash Plan with someone like Simply Health (I have one - I'm not spamming I promise). I think their cover is immediate for most things, and the you can try to get a private appointment and be repaid in full, up to I think about £100. I would then keep the cover going if you can afford it for other things like Optician and other therapies (very very low cover)..... but your allowance for the year will be reduced, or have been used up depending what it cost for the clean (and check-up). Or you will have had a smaller amount to pay.

I mix both NHS and Private care at the same dentist this way (and yet, am entitled to "free"). I have, I am sorry to say, had far more thorough care when being seen (elsewhere, a while ago) as a Private patient.

I’ve been looking into bupa as we get covered through DPs work. I’m not sure if it extends to non urgent dental treatment though.

It’s frustrating amy and I hope you can get it sorted soon.