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?

I just hope that threads like result in those that did vote Tory feel utterly ashamed and those still planning to, well that their conscious pricks them

welcome to England 2022, 12 years of Tories and no basic infrastructure to support the health of a functioning society.

I investigated dental prices in Spain, where there are dentists on every corner. Like most major cities in Europe (don’t know about rest of world) their health care and dentists are at least as good, if not better than ours. Treatment for one root canal filling in UK is £900. In Spain it is €205 for the same treatment. I have booked a return visit for later in the year specifically to visit dentist because it is cheaper even including air fare etc.

I work with two people in my department from other countries who always get teeth stuff sorted when they are back for hols.

Similarly I have students who go home to their countries to do the same. Dentist, doctors too.

NHS dental contracts have been the same for dentists since 2006. There has only ever been NHS provision for about 50% of the population. It’s always been difficult to find an NHS dentist in some areas but a lot of dentists have left the NHS in the last two years due to the targets placed on them by the contract being incredibly difficult to meet whilst also adhering to covid restrictions. So the access problems are getting worse as more dentists leave the NHS. Pressure from the public to MPs is the only thing that will make a difference now. NHS dentists and the BDA are doing the same but unless there is real public appetite, it’s unlikely that things will change unfortunately.

impossible now in my area....2 year wait to only get registered with the good ones...looked into insurance...not worth it...cheaper to just pay for the treatment as premium has a cap on the payouts so its a waste of time and money....i get my teeth done abroad....cheaper and better quality work than the uk...spain, poland, hungary, turkey....where ever i am i find a dentist if needed.

I heard an economist on the radio today saying that the poorest people in the UK not have a lower standard of living than the poorest people in many eastern European countries. He also said that if the UK poverty projection continues along the same trajectory middle class people in the UK will have a lower standard of living than middle classes in eastern European countries by the end of the decade.

the tories have never adressed the dental issue but my dentist who retired explained that the blair govt changed contracts so he can earn just a few pounds doing a root canal on the nhs ...hence the move to private after this contract change etc.

I’ve worked in the NHS under a Tory and Labour government. The difference was Stark.
A workforce crisis has been looming for a decade. The Tories have chosen to do absolutely nothing about it.

that’s why you can’t see a dentist. Nothing to do with Tony Blair circa 20 years ago.

I have a private dentist, but my children get free treatment (presumably on the NHS) as long as I show up at least once a year for my routine appointment. Would that be a good compromise?

@Unforgettablefire I was lucky (I guess?!) that it had clearly been done in 2 parts, so the amalgam that was left behind was still sealing all the exposed areas of tooth. That meant he emergency dentist wouldn't see me either though - as I wasn't in 'severe pain'. I bought a dentist product on amazon - a glass resin thing, I think, that comes in 2 parts that you mix and use. It's not perfect, but I don't have a massive hole in my tooth anymore.

I was coming on here to give an insight from the inside but @MilkLady02 has beat me to it.

There has been no extra funding since around 2008. Covid wasn't an excuse but costs of essential PPE have skyrocketed (think £19 for a box of gloves which used to be £7) and other costs have increased thanks to brexit and energy bills. Any dentists still with an NHS contract are reluctant to take on new patients as thanks to the existing contract they lose money on most and have to be a viable business. Even existing patients that haven't been in a few years will mostly cost them money which is why people have found themselves removed from the list. No recent government will fund dentistry properly but doesn't have the guts to stop it. Most dentists are looking to get out. It doesn't have to be all bad, private dentists have the time to give proper assessments and carry out good treatment with quality materials. Most heavily discount children and treat under 5s for free. There needs to be a bare bones service for the poorest/needy and also good education as all dental diseases are preventable. To the PP with periodontal disease; you need to be cleaning to a near perfect standard, quit smoking if applicable and see if you can fund 1 or 2 sessions with a hygienist to clean your teeth and help you with your oral hygiene. Cleaning between your teeth with tepe brushes 1x daily minimum is essential too

Bare bones NHS service*

Know this is old but a nhs dentist is still not around I had to pay privately yesterday costing £1350

It’s so depressing, I’ve managed to get a new appointment at an nhs dentist 30 miles away in two months time. And this is after a year of searching. I can honestly see why people are pulling their own teeth out 😢

In Scotland here. My dentist is now offering his NHS patients a chance to convert to private or leave. Luckily there are finishing all current courses of NHS treatment as I have been alot this year so hopefully getting everything fixed before I go private.

On my last appointment about a month ago he said they were so busy they are not even taking on private patients now.

Even as a private patient you are having to wait longer for an appointment unless it's an emergency when they give you a same day or next day appointment.

Going private with him and it will cost £25 per month for 2 check-ups and 2 hygienists appt per year. I think you then pay private fees for anything you get done.

My dentist is visibly stressed and more busy than I have ever seen him in the thirty years I have known him. It's worrying.

"Ashamed" eh? It's successive Tory and Labour governments that got rid of our dental service. We're all "pricks" going by your post.

My DH got a place after being on a wait list for two years. It might be worth signing up to a few wait lists while paying for some sort of plan in the meantime if you can.

Yes, Tory voters should absolutely be ashamed of the very much diminished state of public services, and the country in general, they have voted for. They can't even try to claim that the Tories are good for the economy as that's been exposed as nothing but a lie. If they gave a shit about the economy they would never have voted for brexit.

Hard to know what they do actually care about... I suppose hating poor people/foreigners is the only thing left.

My friend is dentist. The NHS have made it almost impossible for dentists to work for them - endless unnecessary paperwork for very little reward. My friend was reluctant to start practising privately but since doing so is under far less stress - she'll never work for the NHS again.

I can't understand why anyone would work for the NHS.

Tbh I’d be wary about fighting it. My dentist kept me as private ungraciously. Rough appointment and uncaring, I still stupidly trusted them. Suddenly I needed 3 teeth out, I was upset but accepted it.
Now I know I didn’t, all could be saved with deep feelings. Just didn’t care

I was kicked out of my dentist. I couldn't see them during covid obviously- the problem is, I do have a phobia of the dentist, so the years of not being able to go just made it harder to go back. By the time I psyched myself up to go, I was told it was too late. My dentist was an arse, so that didn't help.

I have receding gums and have done for years. I'm resigning myself to the fact that they will fall out in the next 10 years or so.

We can't get my toddler Grandson registered anywhere.

I think one thing the government, under the NHS, could do is just employ dentists directly. Set up dental clinics and employ dentists on a salary. No extra money for extra treatment, just a good salary for doing everything that needs doing. Of course they won't do this though.