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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To plead for advice RE dentist crisis

32 replies

teethingproblems · 30/12/2021 10:36

Have a phobia of the dentist. Hadn't been in a long time. Take good care of my teeth.

Paid privately for a check-up, all fine, said teeth look healthy etc. But then said "X-rays are included in this cost so we will quickly have a look".

After taking pictures on the X-ray machine, turns out I need 5 fillings. Cue the panic. (Not sure how one minute they were healthy and the next 5 fillings!?)

Now I've been on the NHS waiting list for years, here in Cornwall, it's just not happening.

The treatment equates to about £1000, how do I pay for it? I considered dental insurance but they won't cover treatments until you've been with them 3 months, so I have 3 months to wait?

Is it normal for dentists to find £££'a worth of cavities through X-ray at check ups?

(I'm 24, I experienced some dental trauma as a child, last went to the dentist when I was 19. Please don't flame me, I know it's bad)

Thanks! X

OP posts:
Original poster
teethingproblems · 30/12/2021 10:39

And I'm anxious having even posted this! My fear is so bad I don't even like talking about the dentist. Blush

OP posts:
OwlinaTree · 30/12/2021 10:40

Can you look for another dentist? Get a second opinion?

ShaneTheThird · 30/12/2021 10:41

If you can try get a 2nd opinion. I have a filling from a scam artist of a private dentist that wasn't needed. I had perfect teeth never needed more than a check up before, went to him and he insisted I had an obvious hole. I checked that tooth under a magnifying glass and bright lights nothing. Anyway I was seriously mentally unwell at the time and allowed him to do it. After when I tried to tell everyone I thought I was scammed they told me no it would never happen. Low and behold 5 years later this dentist is struck off after over 200 complaints of performing unecessary procedures.

OwlinaTree · 30/12/2021 10:41

Are you in any pain?

Original poster
teethingproblems · 30/12/2021 10:42

I could try another dentist, it's but the cost again of the consultation. Maybe I'll do that. I'm in no pain at all! He showed me the X-ray pictures though and explained them to me. I just couldn't believe it

OP posts:
MatildaTheCat · 30/12/2021 10:42

I’d get a second opinion first. Do get insurance if it is a good deal.

My private dentist was forever mentioning treatment I could have. The hygienist then mentioned I’d benefit from having all my fillings changed. - I have a lot.

So I was lucky enough to be accepted by a recommended nhs dentist who laughed and said I should leave well alone.

It’s annoying about the nhs but perhaps you know someone who can recommend a really good private dentist? Then explain everything you’ve said here.

Serenschintte · 30/12/2021 10:43

Recent experience of this - always had perfect teeth and they found from
X-ray that I needed a filling.
I delayed it a year - so maybe that’s an option for insurance.
Mine was a hole under the surface of the tooth - she said from when younger - if the tooth isn’t drilled and the hole dealt with then it get bigger and can cause pain and more issues with the tooth. Im probably not explaining it that well. Long story short I got the filling

Original poster
teethingproblems · 30/12/2021 10:44

@Serenschintte but you left it a year, did no pain occur? My dentist said I shouldn't wait

OP posts:
IWasHotInTheNineties · 30/12/2021 10:45

Sorry to say this but £1000 for three fillings is cheap for a private dentist.
I agree that the problems in the uk, especially with some areas, is shocking. It will be like America where poor people don’t have teeth and rich people have have lovely teeth.

catlovingdoctor · 30/12/2021 10:46

Hidden caries (decay) can often be identified using X-Rays. Visual examination is important but not the whole diagnostic method. That's the whole point of taking them..

Cupcakeschocolate · 30/12/2021 10:47

Yes. My teeth where perfect on the outside. Until I had a check up position baby. 5 teeth had decayed on the inside. I waited. Cue one year later and in constant pain. Had 3 removed and implants and 2 root canals. If not sure get a second opinion first. But even if you can pay on a credit card don't delay tooth problems as they only get worse. Speaking from bitter experience. I took out a credit card that I use solely for dental trips. It's expensive and I have spent a fortune. But better than pain. If you want the work will be more which won't help with your fear of the dentist. Get a second opinion and if they agree, get the fillings as root canal are kore expensive and take an age and either a filling or crown will be needed on top of that which costs extra.

LoveMyPiano · 30/12/2021 10:48

That sounds a lot for 5 fillings - unless they are large and/or white..... and I would hope you got to actually see the X-rays and have the problems pointed out to you.

One option might be looking for a Dental School (attached to a University), and see if they can help - although admittedly not the BEST choice for someone with a fear of dentists - but they are very very well supervised.

If nothing else, try joining one (or more) of the Health Cash Plans - even the most basic level of cover will give immedate dental cover for £100, so maybe a higher level cover would give you more.

I sympathise with the phobia - so good for you for trying to get over it. Such a shame that the stumbling block is getting NHS treatement and cost of private.

Beamur · 30/12/2021 10:48

Well done for going to the dentist in the first place. X rays can show up damage that isn't easy to see - I have lost a tooth from damage that came from between the teeth and was only visible with an X ray.
It's easy to be blinded by the cost and be reluctant to get a second opinion, but 5 fillings does seem a lot.
Even if you need several doing, you can have it done in stages. The fact that you're not in pain is helpful and probably means it's not urgent to get it all done immediately.

Cupcakeschocolate · 30/12/2021 10:48

If you wait* the work will be more etc

billy1966 · 30/12/2021 10:49

If you have zero pain, take out insurance now and go again in 3 months.

5 fillings is a huge amount to be found via xray, for a 24 year old who looks after her teeth.

Can you ask for a copy of the xrays for a second opinion?

How they react would be interesting.

KenDodd · 30/12/2021 10:53

The Tories have effectively privatised dentistry in the UK, and we let them, we voted for them, we didn't kick up a fuss, it is our fault. Other NHS services will be next. We get what we vote for.

Squills · 30/12/2021 10:54

I think it may be too late to opt for dental insurance for the fillings you now require as they’d be classed as pre-existing conditions.

LoveMyPiano · 30/12/2021 10:59

Looking into it further, one (at least of the Cash Plans) does have a separate Dental Plan offfering vey good cover. I couldn't seem to access the T&Cs to see if they require good mouth health at the start, but it could be an option - costing about £20 per month, with some limitations. If that would work, I would take out cover and go back to square one with a new private dentist.

At least you know now what you are facing (apparently..... If what has been diagnosed is true....) and have summoned the courage to take the first step, so keep going!

GettingStuffed · 30/12/2021 10:59

I used to get these , tiny holes on the top and huge holes inside the tooth. As a result I ended up with numerous root canals which in turn ended up with teeth crack in of at the jawline.

RobinHumphries · 30/12/2021 10:59

KenDodd, it was Tony Blair who fucked up NHS dentistry

comeundone · 30/12/2021 11:06

If you're not in pain then there's no urgency, get insurance and seek another opinion, perhaps look up some dentists specialising in nervous patients. I know it is scary but you're in no worse a position really today than beforehand, you just have a little more information which you can get confirmed or otherwise at your (relative) leisure.

WabbitsAndWeasels · 30/12/2021 11:08

I'm with a great private dentist as I have severe dental anxiety, they offer payment plans for large or expensive amounts of dental work, is this a possibility? They were happy to discuss this if it was something I was interested in and wanted to ensure I could get the work done I needed.
My dentist was happy to talk through any treatments and show me exactly what the x-rays showed and what exact treatment was available to deal with that. I wouldn't leave treatment if possible but getting a second opinion shouldn't take too long or be too expensive (about £50 in the north east) but get them to talk through the results and ask questions if you're unsure.

The longer you wait for treatment, especially if waiting for pain to start, the more invasive the treatment is likely to be. If you think you can afford the private dentist long term (some have good deals and offer their own yearly treatment plans) then I think it will help with your dental anxiety and reduce the need for invasive treatment in the future. I found with the NHS I was seeing a different dentist every other visit and it made my anxiety so much worse, I see the same private dentist every single time now, the know me and they know when I might need a little extra help and do offer various sedative treatments that are difficult to get on the NHS but work well for me.

OneTC · 30/12/2021 11:12

You don't need to do them all at once

And yes it's common for X rays to show up more stuff, hence why they use them. It's virtually impossible to accurately check areas before the gum line or where teeth are pressed close together

hellywelly3 · 30/12/2021 11:14

I had a fear of dentist and kept putting it off for years. I then thought I’ve got to get over this. I phoned around every NHS dentist I could possibly get to. I was put on so many waiting lists. And a few months later I was contacted and offered a place if I could take a cancellation the next day. It’s a bit of a drive (1 hour) but so worth it. Unbeknown to me I was starting with gum disease and if I’d left it I would of started loosing teeth. I explained to my dentist my absolute fear and he’s absolutely lovely about it. I still hate going but needs must.

HunterGatherer · 30/12/2021 11:21

I've been with a private dentist for years and they recently recommended a root canal filling on one side and an implant on the other, total cost almost £5k. And that's with a payment plan!!
Same dentist told my DD that she needed 5 fillings. £1.5k

We are lucky enough to have been accepted by an NHS dentist, it's 40miles away but I'm happy to drive. New dentist showed me my x rays, said there is no way that the root canal filling will ever work as the decay is far too severe, tooth just needs removing. Also said the implant for a rear tooth is not worth it and he would leave it alone.
After x raying my DD he was mystified as to why she was told she needs 5 fillings, said her teeth are perfect.

I guess the private dentist has to pay for his ferrari somehow, but it is upsetting and very unsettling. We put our faith in these people in the same way that we do with doctors, but I guess money changes everything.

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