To think Dentists are greedy and disgrace

[Thisismynamenow]

I have a hole in my tooth (thanks pregnancy for the poor teeth!)

My nhs dentist has apparentpy cancelled their nhs contract to go private (without telling patients) and not a single dentist within 20 miles is willing to take on nhs, but everyone can offer same day private appointments.

I know the nhs is underfunded but it's disgusting dentists are allowed to be only private, they should be made to be half nhs!

My tooth is killing me, I can't afford the £400 I've been quoted for the filling (it's a tiny hole, literally a pin hole!) And the hopsitall will only pull it which I don't want. Its annoying me more as i currently have a maternity exemption which I can't use.

Aibu to think dentists are greedy, and that it shouldn't be allowed?

A friend of mine is an nhs dentist and would like to remain one but it is becoming impractical due to targets, pay and the level of bureaucracy. It would be far easier and far more profitable for him to switch to private - he doesn’t want to because of loyalty to his patients but soon won’t have a choice. The government can’t rely on good will alone - they need to make it workable.

I suspect the £400 is for the initial checkup, X-rays, scale and polish plus the filling. When I was calling around for myself those were all required before I could have the filling I need.

OP - call the NHS helpline. They found me an NHS dentist who had space. I do have to travel but that’s cheaper than going private.

There shouldn’t be NHS contracts for private subcontractors - the model we have for NHS dentistry which obviously doesn’t work for those small private business owners - the NHS dentists.

dentists should be directly employed by the NHS. They should work out of clinics owned and run by the NHS. They shouldn’t have to buy and set up their own business then just be able to charge back individual work they’ve done for the NHS.

my dentist also is no longer offering NHS. Luckily calling around I’ve found one who’ll take the kids on the NHS list if DH and I register privately with them - but can’t find anything for us. Tomorrows job is sorting out mine and dhs registration so we can get the kids on the list.

YABVVU.

Also, ‘pregnancy’ doesn’t cause decay. The myth that pregnancy causes decay is untrue. Yes, pregnancy can lead to increased risk or periodontal disease but not decay. Decay and gum disease are very different.

Decay is only caused by bacteria digesting fermentable carbohydrate which leads to acid production and therefore decay. Fermentable carbohydrates are dietary - ie. sugar. The ‘hole in your tooth’ has been caused by a diet high in fermentable carbohydrates and/or inadequate oral hygiene.

Secondly it costs about £100 for a filling privately not £400

😆

I should also add that your judgement of a ‘tiny hole’ suggests you are implying there is ‘hardly anything to fill/will be a quick job’. You also state your tooth is killing you? This suggests that there is a large hole affecting the nerve requiring quite a lot of work.

YABU. The NHS doesn't own their staff and until they start paying us properly this situation is going to recur time and time again.
Private treatment is overpriced too.
Most dentists are private in Ireland.
If anything the higher costs reduces profits as people cannot afford treatment and those who can will opt to have treatment in an EU regulated country.
Similar to the cosmetic surgery business by reducing costs they'd increase customers.

The ‘hole in your tooth’ has been caused by a diet high in fermentable carbohydrates and/or inadequate oral hygiene.

So it's the OPs fault?

It is a disgrace that we are not all able to see an NHS dentist. Just moved from Scotland to Cumbria, to find there is NOT ONE single dentist in the whole country taking on NHS patients. I guess though if I were a dentist I'd follow the money too. It clearly needs some radical reform to ensure we all have access to basic and emergency treatment.

COUNTY not country! Although maybe it's true ...

£160 for a filling at my private dentist £50 examination £10 x ray
Shop around

Of course it is

Yes! Decay is 99% preventable by maintaining good oral hygiene and reducing dietary sugars. This is a fact.

The 1% who cannot prevent it are primarily those with mobility disorders, so they cannot physically brush, or salivary gland disorders leading to a dry mouth.

Here is a crisis in NHS dentistry.

I just tried to change my child's appt with 6 weeks notice. The only after school appt they could offer was at the end of March!

It is shocking. I’ve just booked a hygienist appt, private of course as no hope of an NHS one. It’s now £75.

How on earth are people on low incomes meant to afford that?

I've been on the waiting list 6 years since moving to a different city.
My dc 4 and 6 have never seen a dentist because they don't have any spaces.

@RobinHumphries don't some people have bad teeth though in the same way some have bad hearts? and what's the point in lecturing the OP about why she needs a dentist as opposed to the fact she can't afford one.

Yes! Decay is 99% preventable by maintaining good oral hygiene and reducing dietary sugars. This is a fact.

So what though?

You know what OP, I agree with you.
I have as much sympathy with the poor underpaid and overworked dentists as I do with the poor underpaid and overworked barristers who went on strike recently.

They earn more by doing private work then NHS. And that's the end of it. They don't give a shit that many people can't afford private fees.

But it's easier to blame the Tories. I can't wait for the next Labour Government because according to MN, we will suddenly become a socialist utopia with free everything, no poverty and certainly no NHS queues.

Your anger is directed at the wrong people.

This situation has been gathering pace for decades. How many times have you written to your MP about it? How many petitions have you signed? Did you vote for a party that pledged to change NHS dentistry? Did you even check their policies?

I'd suggest requesting a payment plan or using a credit card/overdraft if you can. Then investigate dental insurance plans asap.

Why have you posted this twice OP?

But they are private businesses! Why should they have to give a shit that many people can't afford their fees? Obviously enough people can afford to pay. Otherwise there would be loads of unemployed dentists.

Would you expect an interior designer to reduce their price so that everyone could afford to use their services?? A nanny?? A hair dresser? They aren't charities!

They’re both posted at the same time. It’s pretty obviously a posting glitch.

They do give a shit. There are many that care passionately about providing care to those who need it most. However, they are also human, and also have to make decisions about the well-being of their own families. Many people will take a pay cut in order to work in a public position, but governments cut back funding until it's no longer feasible to continue a public practice.

Beware, GPs are next.

What is a disgrace is that a country like the UK, who prides itself on it's free at source health care provision, doesn't have affordable densitry. It should not be up to the dentists to subsidise this, it should be properly funded by the government. Direct your anger the correct place.

And shop around, £400 for a filling is a rip off.