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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for your recent experiences with NHS dentists

50 replies

Butterflyfluff · 14/10/2022 22:28

Moved areas about 5 years ago. My old NHS dentist was fabulous.

New area and it feels like extortion.

This dentist practice do NHS and private and it’s clear NHS get inferior treatment.

Everything is upsell and pressure

  • That crown isn’t free on the NHS - it’ll be £600 if you don’t want it made out of tin foil
  • We need a specialist for that extraction which will be another £600
  • You can only have 1 X-ray every 2 years on the NHS so we can’t actually tell if you teeth are deteriorating
  • You need more frequent hygiene appointments - at £70 for 30 minutes and they only actually do about 15 minutes work as they run late and finish early

Is it any better if you bite the bullet and go private?

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 14/10/2022 22:29

I don't think many people can put 'recent' and 'NHS' in the same sentence.

Wailywailywaily · 14/10/2022 22:31

Given the general apparent lack of NHS dentists I’m surprised that you found one taking on patients. That does sound like annoying and expensive upselling though.

Original poster
Butterflyfluff · 14/10/2022 22:33

I registered with them when we moved 5 years ago but the upsell pressure now is absolutely blatant

OP posts:
Libre2 · 14/10/2022 22:34

We have had amazing treatment recently from our NHS dentist who saw DD after a face plant destabilised her front two teeth three weeks. We have seen her every week since and she is incredibly invested in saving my DD’s teeth. I am beyond grateful.

JengaNonConfirming · 14/10/2022 22:36

I joined Bupa NHS about a year ago and have nothing but positive things to say. I'm a very nervous patient, but my dentist is lovely with me - even when I've cried ☺️ I had a root canal earlier this year, which due to an oversensitive nerve required 4 appointments and it still only cost me £70 something pounds.

Leeds2 · 14/10/2022 22:38

I was walking along my local high street today, and was absolutely amazed to see that a new NHS dental practice will be opening soon, and was asking for patients!! Really, really surprised, and also pleased.

Chloefairydust · 14/10/2022 22:42

Do NHS dentists still exist?? I thought they were a legendary myth … There’s none around here anyway🤷🏼‍♀️

AnneLovesGilbert · 14/10/2022 22:45

We’re quite lucky. I’m going to my NHS dentist for a usual check up next week. I go once a year, DD goes every 6 months. The receptionist is horrendously rude and they postpone check ups quite often but if you need to see someone urgently they’ll get you in. The hygienist is private, costs about £50, didn’t go up after covid, I go once a year and she’s delightful.

I was referred for a wisdom tooth removal last year, the hospital I had the x ray at were useless but the place I had it done was amazing and as an NHS patient it only cost £40.

I used to complain about the annoying stuff but realise we’re lucky to even be on the books and DH was accepted as a new NHS patient there a couple of months ago and has a check up scheduled for January.

Original poster
Butterflyfluff · 14/10/2022 22:45

I actually think it’s a deliberate ploy to piss NHS patients off so much they leave so they can up their private patients

That’s if they don’t strike you off for not attending during Covid, even if they wouldn’t actually let you attend.

OP posts:
Chaiandchocolate · 14/10/2022 22:55

Our NHS dentist has always been really good. I have been experiencing some facial issues and the GP said to see the dentist to to rule out XYZ and I have been given an appointment for Monday as they hold appointments back daily for urgent problems. We book our 6-monthly appointments about a month in advance, but the hygienist is about a 2 month wait.

During the first lockdown both DH and DS ended up with problems and we were able to easily discuss the issues on the phone, send photos of the problem area, get advice and prescriptions issued. DH needed additional treatment which he got in person.

My only annoyance is that the cost of the hygienist rocketed after the second lockdown from £45 to £70. I have the kind of teeth that despite the best brushing/flossing they will get a build up of tartar and staining etc so they look obvious that they need a deep clean and this price jump has made it so much more unaffordable.

Years ago I used to go private but I got massively ripped off over some treatment so when I moved house I moved over to the NHS, and despite moving several times after I have always managed to find a decent NHS dentist.

PinkButtercups · 14/10/2022 22:56

Unless you don't pay for your NHS dental appointments nothing is 'free'.

NHS guidelines state that if a tooth is not in the smile line no filling or crown will be white. It's not the dentist that makes them rules up. Luckily, I worked with a lot of dentist who would explain this to patients. If they were to do a white one that wasn't in your smile line the cost of doing that falls on the dentist.

Unless they can refer to a local hospital or private then no, some extractions are too difficult to be able to do in a standard practice.

It's not the fact you can only have 1 X-ray... guidelines state a patient is to receive a X-ray every two years (bite wings) usually and this is actually due to radiation not cost. The radiation is minimal but it wouldn't be in your best interest to keep taking X-rays. You can have more than the two normal X-rays if it is necessary. So, if you had an infection or suspected cavity etc. If your teeth are what they deem to be fine at a checkup within those two years you really don't need anymore X-rays. They know what they're looking for and tapping for.

Hygiene appointments most practices will book you in for 30 minutes. Most hygiene appointments will only last 20 minutes. They have to have time to clean down etc and talk to you about products that will help etc. Most hygienists work alone so don't have a nurse or a de con nurse to clean their instruments.

Chasingsquirrels · 14/10/2022 23:00

I've been with my NHS dentist for about 20 years, different individual dentists within that time - I think they have newly qualified dentists who stay for a few years. Never had any problems with the treatment, most recent being a wisdom tooth extraction a few weeks ago.

watcherintherye · 14/10/2022 23:00

Have to say my current NHS dentist is the most laid-back I’ve ever come across (he’s from Portugal). So pleasant, and almost apologetic about charges. No upselling or pushiness. I got an emergency appt. for a broken filling, he told me how much a replacement was going to be and asked me if that was ok. Maybe he expected me to barter! My son went for a check up the other day, he rarely has any fillings or treatment, and he was told to book again for 9 months time.

CryCeratops · 14/10/2022 23:05

I’ve not experienced any upselling with our NHS dentist.

earsup · 14/10/2022 23:06

Your dentist sounds awful....and he or she is lying to sell you the private treatments.....i have a fab nhs dentist but you have to wait months for an appnt so do dental work abroad if going away etc....used to have a cheap fab private dentist also but he retired and new owner has trebled prices over night....!!
ins isnt worth it....you dont get much for what you pay for premiums....its a con...cheaper to just pay for the ' free' check ups etc....i worked it all out a few months ago when researching the ins option....not worth it.

Evira · 14/10/2022 23:12

Nope, no NHS dentists with availability to register here. Waiting lists of year's. I've not seen a dentist in 6 years.

Only option is to pay or buy some sort of dental plan.
Privatisation by stealth.

Thanks Tory government.

MoreHairyThanScary · 14/10/2022 23:33

I had an nhs dentist unfortunately they were unable to recruit to replace dentists who had left, so I was told I had been removed from the practice!
Fortunately dh and the dc weren't removed so still have cover.

thereisonlyoneofme · 15/10/2022 11:18

I went back to NHS dentist after nt being able to go due to lockdowns and chemotherapy treatment. I felt I was being fobbed off, I knew I had work that needed doing, but it was" come back in 6 months". I have since gone private at horrendous cost but have had x rays, photos of mouth, proper exam, chat with dentist about eating habits and sugary stuff, none of which I have had for years with NHS. I

Original poster
Butterflyfluff · 15/10/2022 11:54

PinkButtercups · 14/10/2022 22:56

Unless you don't pay for your NHS dental appointments nothing is 'free'.

NHS guidelines state that if a tooth is not in the smile line no filling or crown will be white. It's not the dentist that makes them rules up. Luckily, I worked with a lot of dentist who would explain this to patients. If they were to do a white one that wasn't in your smile line the cost of doing that falls on the dentist.

Unless they can refer to a local hospital or private then no, some extractions are too difficult to be able to do in a standard practice.

It's not the fact you can only have 1 X-ray... guidelines state a patient is to receive a X-ray every two years (bite wings) usually and this is actually due to radiation not cost. The radiation is minimal but it wouldn't be in your best interest to keep taking X-rays. You can have more than the two normal X-rays if it is necessary. So, if you had an infection or suspected cavity etc. If your teeth are what they deem to be fine at a checkup within those two years you really don't need anymore X-rays. They know what they're looking for and tapping for.

Hygiene appointments most practices will book you in for 30 minutes. Most hygiene appointments will only last 20 minutes. They have to have time to clean down etc and talk to you about products that will help etc. Most hygienists work alone so don't have a nurse or a de con nurse to clean their instruments.

Where you say some extractions are too difficult to do in a standard practice - that doesn’t really wash when it’s the same dentist who would be doing it - just privately

And on the X-rays - yes it was radiation they used as an excuse but I have a tooth which is cracked below the gum line so I had been having 6 monthly X-rays (pre-Covid) to see if it is getting worse - now they will only look once every 2 years

Funny how radiation isn’t an issue if you wanted a private X-ray

OP posts:
MrsMorton · 15/10/2022 12:01

@Butterflyfluff you're not quite right there about the extraction, if the dentist has additional oral surgery qualifications but does not have an NHS contract for oral surgery, they can't do it on the NHS. I have friends who have qualifications in gum disease but there is no NHS funding for it so they do routine NHS dentistry and private periodontal treatment.

plus there is NO SUCH THING AS REGISTRATION.The labour government got rid of it in 2005. You are registered for a course of treatment. Once that is done, your dentist has no obligation to see you again. If they have space then yep. Otherwise, nope.

MeowMeowPowerRangers · 15/10/2022 12:08

I'm under NHS.

I had to wait 11 months for sedation and extractions. (I wear dentures).

In that time they kept trying to force me to pay £1,500 to go private and have it done quicker. I just stuck to my guns "No I can't afford that."

Other than that they've been brilliant and I've received some really good dentures.

Original poster
Butterflyfluff · 15/10/2022 12:10

MrsMorton · 15/10/2022 12:01

@Butterflyfluff you're not quite right there about the extraction, if the dentist has additional oral surgery qualifications but does not have an NHS contract for oral surgery, they can't do it on the NHS. I have friends who have qualifications in gum disease but there is no NHS funding for it so they do routine NHS dentistry and private periodontal treatment.

plus there is NO SUCH THING AS REGISTRATION.The labour government got rid of it in 2005. You are registered for a course of treatment. Once that is done, your dentist has no obligation to see you again. If they have space then yep. Otherwise, nope.

But that’s my point really - you can literally have the same person who can do some thing privately but not on the NHS

So more and more people are being forced to opt for private dentistry because they cannot get what they need on the NHS

OP posts:
MrsMorton · 15/10/2022 12:10

Yep. Who's at fault

AnyFucker · 15/10/2022 12:13

Mine is great. Haven’t been since 2018 due to Covid (they recommended 2 yr follow up so timing was a factor)

I checked a few months ago I hadn’t been struck off and they said we have a bit of a backlog so unless you have issues give us a bit longer. No problem. Just had a checkup, X-rays and a clean for £23. Come back in 2 years. Cannot fault it.

Choppies · 15/10/2022 12:14

The NHS commissions enough NHS dentistry for less that half of the population - that’s the cause of the shortage. Place the blame where it lies.