Dentist cancelled because of maternity exemption

[Acc0untant]

This isn't a huge deal in the grand scheme of things but I feel a bit put out regardless.

My dentist has cancelled my appointment next month and when I queried why the receptionist told me that they aren't seeing any patients who are exempt at the minute. In my case I have a maternity exemption certificate (runs out in March). She said it's because they aren't receiving any NHS funding for it at the minute.

The point of the maternity exemption is that due to pregnancy you can have additional things needing work (pregnant gingivitis etc) and you aren't unfairly penalised by having to visit often. In this case they're saying I can't be seen until I start paying the NHS prices again in April.

Not going to pull the discrimination card (although being told I can't use their services until I no longer have an exemption due to pregnancy certainly feels like it) but would like to hear the thoughts of others on this too!

Er...that's absolutely ridiculous all round. They should be getting the funding surely. And if not should still be finding a way to treat you given the heightened risk. I'd be fuming and finding somewhere to complain to

They may have gone over their UDAd for the year so any work will put them out of pocket - such is the ludicrous nhs dental funding system.

UDAs not UDAd

It's not just maternity exemptions. My NHS dentist has also cancelled my appt for the same reasons 'no NHS funding left till April' it's ridiculous.

Of course, Im told I can still pay them to be seen as a private patient 😏

Why don't you want to 'pull the discrimination card' OP? You aren't receiving services as you are pregnant. Do you have it in writing? I would be looking to confirm in an email. You may find it resolves itself swiftly.

They're still getting funding for normal appointments, my partners NHS work can go ahead apparently but because I pay literally zero they're cancelling mine. Not sure where I can complain to, or if it's even worth it. Hard enough finding an NHS dentist, don't want to get kicked off the list.

I would assume it's because it makes you an 'NHS patient'? None of the dentists near me are currently taking NHS patients, and if you're a private patient who switches to NHS they won't keep you on either.

I appreciate that but on an individual level it's also not my problem. If their answer is to just cancel those appointments they'll never show they need increased funding anyway.

Shocking OP. I'm not surprised sadly, but that is awful.

I've actually already given birth but the exemption is for 12 months after as well.

Part of me doesn't want to kick up a fuss lest I be removed from their list entirely and have no NHS dentist at all.

It's just those with an exemption, they're still seeing other NHS patients. I've always been a NHS patient.

I think you are lucky you’ve got an NHS dentist , they are like hens teeth here and if you do find one the earliest appointment is usually at least 8/9 months away if not longer .

I think it is a big deal. Some women may be relying on using their exemption to be seen.

Yeah I'd be writing to them stating that you will be reporting them for discrimination against you for being a new mother. Disgraceful behaviour that will only become more common

I'm the first in line to shout about this stuff in the workplace or whatever but if I do it here do I risk losing them as a dentist at all?

Sadly it's the way the nhs is funded for dental treatment. They're given a pot of money and it's supposed to do everything, they obviously have ran out and it's a case of cancelling or the practice runs for free which it won't be able to afford with wages and overheads. I know you shouldn't have to but if you offered to pay the nhs charge would they see you? If you need regular 3 monthly scales due to gingivitis then for your oral health I'd say it's worth it.

My NHS dentist always finds same day/24 hour appointments during emergencies or about 3 weeks for a routine appointment. If you need follow up treatment they find room in their dairy for the following week.

Maybe I can write to my MP?

I did ask and apparently not because I'm down on the system as having the exemption with a specific end date. So it really is a case of they won't see me while I have a maternity exemption.

This one's actually been in the diary for 5 months, booked at my last appointment with the idea they're 6 months apart.

If they’ve cancelled all NHS appointments, then this won’t be pregnancy discrimination. Yes, dental health might be more of an issue in pregnancy, but if they can do no NHS work at all until the next tranche of funding comes in, then the fact that some of it is pregnancy/maternity services isn’t a factor in their decision.
Edited to add: yes, I know OP says that other NHS treatments are still going on. Is that ‘new’ courses of treatment. Or just check ups and then people have to wait for the actual treatment until after April? Or are those being seen part-way through treatment pathways that had begun before the money ran out?

Unfortunately, there seems to be quite a lot of this around at the moment. I don’t know why it’s worse this year - AFAIK there haven’t been new/recent cuts to NHS dentistry.

It isn't all NHS appointments, just ones covered by exemptions where the patient pays nothing. I phoned to cancel my partner's appointment as well so I can rebook them for the same date and they said he's still fine to have his on the current date.

I would email your MP and yes, say it’s discriminatory.

To respond to your edit:

Can't speak for everyone but my partner's is a check up. As was mine though, nothing that actively needed treatment. Only difference is he pays for his and I currently don't pay for mine.

Pregnancy can adversely affect your teeth and gums as well, hence the exemption!