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Original poster

No NHS dentist for children

61 replies

Movetozero · 30/09/2022 13:54

Received a msg from our dental practice saying the children's check up appts had been cancelled. Tried to rebook and was told that due to lack of government funding the practice could no longer see NHS patients. This includes children. So they're effectively being discharged unless they re-register as private patients. Apparently all dental practices in the surrounding area are making similar decisions.

So I've had to book my 3 children in privately at a cost of £27 each for their check up.

What about the people who can't afford this. What happens to those children?

I feel so disappointed in this country.

OP posts:
Nothingoriginalhere · 30/09/2022 18:38

We have had to have a private dentist for both adults and children since we moved areas in 2003.
it’s rubbish bit not new and check ups per child
for us was £50!

caffelattetogo · 30/09/2022 19:01

This government is a disgrace.

woodhill · 30/09/2022 19:18

BeanieTeen · 30/09/2022 18:33

It’s awful. Children in this country really suffer from bad teeth as it is, this is going to make it even worse.
Everyone should be entitled to NHS dentistry in my opinion, I don’t see how teeth are any different to the rest of your body. Not cosmetic procedures obviously but functioning teeth are pretty essential and toothache is a horrific pain to deal with when it occurs. It just seems so backwards that healthy teeth are seen as some kind of luxury rather than a basic first world necessity.

Totally agree and it alerts us to other health problems so it is essential

99redballoonsgobyy · 30/09/2022 19:34

Bloody hell this country really is going backwards. Is it going to come to the point where we all have all of our teeth completely removed at the age of 18 like they did 100 years or so ago so we don't have to worry about decay and lack of dental care. mind you who will we find to remove all our teeth in the first place or perhaps the barbers will start doing it again. very victorian this government should be ashamed.

PrtScn · 30/09/2022 19:49

My son has been on the NHS waiting list for nearly 4 years. I’ve had to go private quite a few years ago due to no NHs dentists so thankfully the private one I’m at see your kids for free. Not sure until what age though.
The whole system has gone to shit

feellikeanalien · 04/10/2022 20:55

MrsMorton · 30/09/2022 15:21

There hasn't been "registration" with NHS dentists since 2005, and I don't believe you that your hospital dentist was surprised.

Show quote history

I don't actually care if you don't believe me. That's what happened. I was with a dentist as an NHS patient. They said they could no longer have me as an NHS patient. I now have to pay as a private patient with the same dentist. The dentist at the hospital was surprised that I was told I could become (is that better than "be re-registered"?) an NHS patient again if I had a few paid appointments.

I really find it bizarre that you think I would go to the trouble of making this up.

PinkButtercups · 04/10/2022 21:19

Bonheurdupasse · 30/09/2022 14:21

Dentists have bills, mortgage, food to pay for as well. They've trained for a number of years, I don't think £27 is that expensive for the work.

On the NHS dentists are paid per UDA. Depending on the skill of the dentist you'll be surprised how much a UDA can be. I work in dentistry and wouldn't want to pay for my DS to be seen privately.

PinkButtercups · 04/10/2022 21:22

TheRubyRedshoes · 30/09/2022 16:53

Our dentist left, and DC didn't have a check up for about a year.

They managed to get another one so they have been seen now however, I've just made an appointment and where the dentist would very quickly clean my teeth,in literally two mins,now I would have to book and pay 60 quid for it???

And scale and polish is very very different from a hygienist appointment.

Tigger85 · 04/10/2022 21:28

The same has happened to us, our nhs dentist (Wales) are still only doing emergency treatments due to covid and have just sent letters out saying they are stopping all nhs treatment and going fully private including children. We haven't had a check up since 2019 due to their covid rules.

FutureDays · 04/10/2022 21:32

Same here our dentist went private, there is no dentist that is taking people on and thousands on the list in front of us, we’re going to sign the kids up private but can’t afford ourselves too

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 04/10/2022 22:04

If the Tories get in again we can expect the same with GPs too

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