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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think that if you are immunosuppressed you should get free dental treatment

39 replies

Fuckinellitsme · 08/12/2021 09:07

I've just had to make yet another emergency dental appointment because I think I have an abscess.

I'm on immunosuppressant drugs for RA. Lowered immunity can cause dental issues such as abscesses and other infections which can in turn be very dangerous for those who are immunocompromised (whether due to illness or medication). One of the side effects of my medication is bleeding, sore, receding gums, for example. I'm fastidious about dental hygiene but my immunity is out of my control.

AIBU to think that if you have lowered immunity you should be able to access regular checkups and scale & polish sessions free of charge? My dentist is no longer offering s&p on the NHS, only privately, which costs £120 a time. I've been recommended to have them every three to six months to reduce the chance of infection, but there's no way I can afford that. People on low incomes just can't. Finding the money for dental care when you're dealing with lifelong chronic pain/health conditions or receiving treatment for any number of illnesses which reduces immunity should be the last thing you have to worry about.

Sorry if I'm not making a lot of sense, but PAIN!

OP posts:

RoastPotatoQueen · 08/12/2021 09:09

YANBU. I have chronic health conditions that messes with my teeth, eventually I need full dentures. No fault of my own, cost me over £3,000 so far for extractions and dentures... and I'm only half way done! Very low income as well. Seems like a lottery these days.

PineappleIceCream · 08/12/2021 09:10

Obviously in an ideal world that would be the case but lots of people end up out of pocket from health conditions and I suppose there’s only so much money to go around. It’s really rubbish though

Original poster

Fuckinellitsme · 08/12/2021 09:15

@PineappleIceCream

Obviously in an ideal world that would be the case but lots of people end up out of pocket from health conditions and I suppose there’s only so much money to go around. It’s really rubbish though

Bearing in mind that untreated dental infections can be fatal, particularly in those with lowered immunity, surely this should be a priority?

OP posts:

CloudyStorms · 08/12/2021 09:19

I see your point. I mean they give pregnant women free dental treatment. Though to be honest NHS dentistry is such a state at the moment.

Original poster

Fuckinellitsme · 08/12/2021 09:23

I just feel that for those on low incomes, having to choose between things like paying for heating or essential dental treatment shouldn't have to be a concern.

OP posts:

Original poster

Fuckinellitsme · 08/12/2021 09:24

For those on low incomes with serious health conditions which result in lowered immunity, I should've said (although nobody on low incomes should have to worry about paying for dental care, really).

OP posts:

ChangeChingyChange · 08/12/2021 09:26

What gets me is often those on very low incomes who do get free dental care don't use it!in that case perhaps there should be a scheme where they "use it or lose it" and its transferred to those that need it most like you.

Returnoftheowl · 08/12/2021 09:28

I don't disagree with what you're saying, but NHS dentistry is in such a shocking state, without putting more pressure by prioritising certain groups. Majority of people can't even get an NHS dentist (at least where I live certainly)...dental care now seems to be something only the rich can afford.

Original poster

Fuckinellitsme · 08/12/2021 09:34

@Returnoftheowl

All of this is true, and it's absolutely shocking.

DD has impacted wisdom teeth and needs fillings and she can't find an NHS dentist to take her on. One suggested their sister practice, which had some spaces for NHS patients - 50 miles away!

She was going to our local dental hospital but when covid hit they stopped seeing regular patients and haven't started again. She's getting desperate now.

OP posts:

mollieroses · 08/12/2021 09:40

In an ideal world yes but the whole thing is in a mess. I can't even get my children in to an NHS dentist, my 6 year old cost over £100 when I took them recently.

Lavender24 · 08/12/2021 09:42

Yeah I'm a type one diabetic and even though my control is good I have badly receding gums and I've had lots of gum infections too. My NHS dentist has refused to give me adequate treatment over the past 2 years (I was desperately in need of a scale and polish as the build up was worsening the gum recession)so I've had to go private. It's extortionately expensive but it's either that or end up toothless.

TheAnswerIsDontThinkAboutIt · 08/12/2021 09:43

I pay £20 a month for Practice Plan, which includes 4 hygienist visits per year, could something like that be an option?

Lavender24 · 08/12/2021 09:44

@Fuckinellitsme

For those on low incomes with serious health conditions which result in lowered immunity, I should've said (although nobody on low incomes should have to worry about paying for dental care, really).

I am on a low income, have lost my PIP and now have to pay private.

YetAnotherManicMonday1234 · 08/12/2021 09:48

@Fuckinellitsme

For those on low incomes with serious health conditions which result in lowered immunity, I should've said (although nobody on low incomes should have to worry about paying for dental care, really).

People on low incomes get free dental care in England and Wales. HC2 certificate in England, not sure what it is in Wales.

Otherwise I’m on the fence. I think essential dentistry should be free at poa for all to be honest.

Original poster

Fuckinellitsme · 08/12/2021 09:51

@TheAnswerIsDontThinkAboutIt

I pay £20 a month for Practice Plan, which includes 4 hygienist visits per year, could something like that be an option?

Unfortunately these sorts of plans often don't cover you if you have underlying conditions which affect your dental health.

OP posts:

SpindlesWinterWhorl · 08/12/2021 09:51

I agree with you, OP.

As it happens, I can't get any NHS dental treatment at all, let alone free treatment. I paid my NHS dental practice for a treatment course in advance in Feb 2020, and it was postponed and postponed and postponed and it still hasn't happened. I'm immunesuppressed, and worried.

Original poster

Fuckinellitsme · 08/12/2021 09:54

People on low incomes get free dental care in England and Wales. HC2 certificate in England, not sure what it is in Wales

The cutoff is really low, though. I don't know what it is now, but a few years ago it was a maximum household income of around £16k.

OP posts:

user1471447863 · 08/12/2021 10:09

teeth are part of your body - damaged and diseased teeth can lead to very serious health issues.
Same with eyes.

Eyes and teeth should be dealt with under the nhs exactly the same as any other body part

Of course a nicer pair of glasses than standard issue NHS specs should require a contribution, but the basics should be free at the point of service

thevassal · 08/12/2021 10:14

I do sympathise with you but if your overall argument is that people with physical health conditions shouldn't be penalised financially for them then surely all adults with vision problems should be entitled to free glasses, all prescriptions should be free, etc.

TheGoogleMum · 08/12/2021 10:16

Yes I agree. Nhs prices aren't cheap and I always resent the scam that nhs dentists always tell you to use their private hygienist rather than have the nhs scale and polish. I'm not dirt poor but even before all the squeezes of increased food and petrol and energy prices I found the dentist expensive.
But yes immunocompromised all the more reason it should be actually free for you like it is for pregnant women.

Original poster

Fuckinellitsme · 08/12/2021 10:39

@thevassal

That's not my argument (although I do agree that dental and optical care should be free, in an ideal world).

My argument is that those who are immunosuppressed are more prone to severe dental issues than those who are not, and those issues can be extremely dangerous, even life threatening. Therefore treatment to prevent infections occuring, and treatment of they do, should be free.

It's not about being financially penalised for having a health condition - it's about being able to access potentially life saving treatment, whatever your financial situation.

OP posts:

Hillarious · 08/12/2021 10:45

We should all have free dental treatment. And we should all have free eye tests.

opalescent · 08/12/2021 10:54

@user1471447863

teeth are part of your body - damaged and diseased teeth can lead to very serious health issues. Same with eyes.

Eyes and teeth should be dealt with under the nhs exactly the same as any other body part

Of course a nicer pair of glasses than standard issue NHS specs should require a contribution, but the basics should be free at the point of service

Totally agree with this

MaskingForIt · 08/12/2021 11:01

Everything should be free for everyone!

Hellokittyninja · 08/12/2021 11:09

I’d settle for my RA being managed properly on the NHS. My teeth are fine and I pay privately for dentistry. I also have private health insurance through work and I would love my RA to be treated privately but because the NHS exists, chronic illnesses like RA are excluded from most policies on diagnosis. Like everything healthcare related, it is a postcode lottery in the UK. The thread about the lady with RA needing to go private for joint replacement a while back broke my heart.

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