AIBU to think we should be more upset about the state of NHS dentistry?

[Locutus2000]

I'm in the South-East but it seems to be the case everywhere. There has been no admittance of new patients to NHS lists since the pandemic, including children. Families new to the area face traveling back to their old NHS dentist (if they have one) or paying privately which is out of reach to many especially bearing in mind existing issues won't be covered by insurance.

What are people supposed to do?

And people keep saying the NHS needs privatising.

This is exactly what it'll look like - but for all your health needs.

Watch GP appointments go the same way right now

This is where its heading I think, the changes to the contract and even Labour saying they'd do things which would actually make things worse for an already stretched and under resourced service doesn't bode well.

I did pay for a private checkup at the same surgery and it cost nearly £80 that I didn't have and the check up was quicker and less thorough than the previous NHS ones. It felt very much like fleecing people for little return. I'll have to take my chances with at home dentistry.

That is bad, we aren't all like that though! £80 would include X Rays which we would only do on an initial appointment or if needed for a specific reason, a routine check up is less.

My NHS dentist for our family of 5 has now become private leaving majority of patients with no dentist. I was quoted £2000 for 4 fillings! Looks like we will all have no dental care at all.

I have gone private because I have not been able to have a check up since the pandemic, each appointment I have made has been subsequently cancelled. I did manage to have some emergency work done with the NHS, but that was only an emergency because it was previous work done that failed because it was done badly. Basically I had a badly fitted crown which allowed decay to get in.

I can afford it, but it’s a hell of a money if you need work doing. I pay £17 pcm for a dental plan which provides two check ups and two hygienist visits a year and 10% off treatments.