To ask how on earth anyone gets access to an NHS dentist anymore

[Burnt0utMum]

I need an NHS dentist for me, DH and 2 kids. We can't afford private even through my work benefits. I've been searching and calling and literally cannot find a single dentist accepting NHS patients within a 50 mile radius. I'm willing to travel if necessary but would prefer not to. It's just ridiculous that there's nowhere offering the service. I know I have mild gum disease but I'm priced our of getting it treated. How does anyone get dental treatment without high costs these days?

You don't. There are no NHS dentists any more. You need a private dental plan.

Write to your MP, not sure how much good it will do, but change can only come from the top.

You can't. 😒
I've had to go private.

I think I'll do that.

It's a struggle definitely. Ours kid my son off the list after covid because he didn't have an appointment in two years. That's cos they cancelled it because of Covid and weren't seeing patients accept for emergencies

I'm still on there but they are not very warm to me and I think they try to put me off going. They only want private patients

No idea

I can't remember last having an NHS dentist probably back when I was a child

My dentist is private, check up & hygienist every six months obviously pay for it all

Also my 2 DC go to same dentist and I pay a reduced rate for them

Quite a few dentists locally have no NHS places so I just stick to my one who I've been going to for over 10 years

Almost impossible I’ve been trying to find one for years for my kids. I pay for denplan for myself and luckily my private dentist is a sweetie so would always check the kids at my appointments but I’ve given up hope now and have a Denolan for each child. It’s £10 a month each.

My friend with a 16mo has been told she's got a four year wait for her local nhs dentist. Neither of us have been able to access free maternity dental care. I take my toddler to the NHS clinic in a hospital near us but they won't see me unless it's an emergency. It's shameful

I had to go 30 minutes out to find one. There are no nhs dentists. They are all going private.

It's very hard!
Our dentist dropped all their NHS patients in 2021, & I was super fortunate to find another dentist in the county who was accepting new NHS patients, but it's a 45min drive away & we now make a family day of it, all booked in one after another. If/when they drop NHS patients we'll have to go private, but I'm hoping it doesn't happen before our DC leave home/possibly need expensive orthodontics.
Before I found this one I'd tried loads & none we're taking on new patients.

It's a huge and growing problem. I went to the dentist today (NHS), and whilst I was there I heard several people phone, they said they were registered, but then told they'd been taken off the books as was anyone who hadn't visited since 2019. I was (un)lucky, in that several fillings fell out during lockdown, so I kept my place, DD had what I thought was an abscess during lockdown, so she kept hers too (and I made our next check-ups whilst there to ensure continuity).

In our area people have said they've phoned 111 and been directed to an emergency NHS dentist, think it's only for emergencies though and not for routine appointments.

Sorry, the Tories have made a bad situation worse and now there are basically none since the new NHS contract. The best thing you can do is not vote Tory and hope in about five years that thinsg have improved

i found out via local facebook
have you tried that?

Once when I needed an NHS dentist for an emergency.

I rang 111. They seemed to have an up to date list of the local NHS dentists that were taking on patients. But yes it isnt ideal.

Also previously and you've probably done this.

Search for dentists near you on the NHS websites.
They aren't accurate for which ones are accepting patie its. But just going down the lost and ringing each practice. I managed to find one that put me on a waiting list, and another that told me to ring in a month as they may be accepting patients.

None round here, people are always asking. A dental plan is the only way. It means I can’t have the treatment I need because it’s too expensive. The plan covers two check ups and two hygienist appointments a year.

In my area, you cannot get a Dr appointment, but you can still visit an NHS dentist. Doctors were full even before they built 1,200 houses locally.

That's why I'm reluctant to try a dental plan. I don't think it will be enough to cover what I need and then if I found one that covered more, the cost would be just as high anyway.

Going to try Facebook as hadn't thought of that. And going to try ringing every single dentist as I'd only been trying the ones that hadn't updated on the NHS website.

Unless you are already on their books. It's virtually impossible.

What area is that if you don't mind me asking? At this point I'm willing to travel quite far to find one.

The dentist I was registered with told me I had to now go private. It's costing me so much 😭

Everyone around the 15mile radius tells me they don't have nhs spaces.

I'm extremely fortunate to have an NHS dentist. I joined the practice about 18 years ago and thankfully my children are on their books too. Reading threads like this I realise how rare this is, and I am very grateful. Though I wonder if eventually I too will lose my place.

I am really annoyed at the state of NHS dentistry but the private plans for kids are not actually that pricey (compared to adults!) and they can refer in to NHS orthodontistry so braces are not done privately.

we're the same, same practice since we moved here 11 years ago, we go every 6 months plus hygienist appointments even if they said we didn't need to because I'm scared of being kicked off the books.

Call 111. Tell them what the problem is and they will direct you to your nearest nhs dentist.

They tried to send me to one miles and miles a way and when I couldn't get there they found one a short bus ride away. I hate buses but it got sorted.