I’m an NHS dentist…

[Booyahh]

First time posting… AIBU to think that NHS dentistry is absolutely on its arse? I’ve been in the industry since 2011 and it’s getting so much worse. I’m constantly hearing bad things about dentists or the ability to see a dentist, which makes me so sad. (I’ve started this thread on the back of another post recently just to hear some views)
I’d love to hear people feedback. Also, happy to answer any questions anyone may have

The UDA system simply isn’t working. My NHS dentist retired so I need to sign up for a private dental plan soon.

This is similar to my last 2 appointments, which is why I asked OP what a level 1 exam should consist of.

I haven't timed mine but today it was stick tongue out, point it left and right. Recording each tooth and if have fillings, crowns, etc. Then verbally did my gum scores - no metal depth prodding of each tooth like in the past. Told to see hygienist for my gums.

I've decided I'll find a local private dentist. Moved a few years ago and no NHS dentists here so I've been travelling back, but doesn't feel worth it for this in and out within 5 minutes exam.

Thank you for continuing to take NHS patients. I’ve gone private for years mainly because I couldn’t get an NHS dentist locally (East Central Scotland). My dentist is great, as are the hygienists - but so they should given what an appointment costs I suppose. I’m lucky enough to be able to justify the cost, but it worries me that so many people neglect their teeth either through fear and/or the cost.

Most NHS treatments lose the practice money , in other words the dentist pays for your treatment . It’s the private side that subsidises the NHS which is why practices have to do more and more private work to keep the lights on . https://www.bda.org/media-centre/nhs-dentistry-treasury-now-no1-roadblock-to-saving-service/

It’s the only part of the NHS where the practitioners have to pay for patients treatment!

@Booyahh Thank you for starting this thread. Did my thumb sucking as a child cause my 1.5cm overjet as an adult?

I had twin block braces which corrected this when I was 11, but they slipped back and now I need surgery as an adult.

I think I stopped sucking my thumb when I was about six, and I can't stop blaming myself for causing this.

(My parents did stop me sucking my thumb by getting nail varnish that tasted horrible)

I’m replying as fast as I can… I wasn’t expecting this thread to be as busy as it is!
Also, this sounds daft but am I replying to people correctly? Haha. I’ve not really done it before

No it means you have plaque, tartar , bleeding and some gum disease . Ask your dentist/hygienist how to improve your cleaning regime.

What options are there to support autistic children who have overcrowding and need braces (including some extractions)? I’ve been told this is likely treatment for two of my children in the next few years. Are there paediatric dentists who specialise in SEN?

Admittedly my dentist is private but sees the children as NHS patients. He’s also lovely and I’m perfectly happy to pop along and have a catch up with him every six months. It’s definitely not on my hate list.

If it helps I like going to the dentist, so much so I’m paying privately to have fixed braces next month at the grand old age of 41!

I was registered with a NHS dentist but they decided to go private. I couldn't afford their fees.

I've not had a dentist for a couple of years now as nobody is taking on new NHS patients.

I have a small hole in a tooth where part of a filling fell out, but I can't afford to have the treatment to fix it.

Yes you're quoting people, like this ☝️. You could also @ the poster you're replying to, that sends them a notification, quoting doesn't, quoting is just for showing anyone reading the thread which message you're replying to. So doing @Booyahh is also an option x

Where I am, non of the 15 dentists I could get to are taking on adult patients, some have put me on their waiting lists, but most won't even do that. I ring round ever 6 months or so but haven't been able to get on anyone's books since covid (my old one took me off their books because lock down, then big catch up waiting list meant it got to two years without seeing them, even though it wasn't through choice). Fortunately I did manage to get one to accept the DC.

My NHS dentist is fantastic. I have been a patient there for 20+ years and I’m a very happy customer. The team there are friendly, flexible, helpful and genuinely a pleasure to deal with. They make the useless shambolic local GP practice look like amateurs.

The partners who set up the practice sold out to a corporate a few years ago, but the service is still excellent. Long may they prosper.

If you need surgery then it is a problem with your undying jaw relationship. Thumb sucking/dummies might make it a bit worse but it would always have been a problem .

Do you get paid for having NHS patients on your books?

My children technically have an NHS dentist but for the past two years every appointment that has been made has been cancelled.

Are they being paid for this?

I stopped going to my NHS dentist because I felt their treatment options lacked transparency. I was made to feel like an imposition when I sat in the chair so I got up and left. My family see a private dentist near us now. I so far have not been back to see one private or otherwise. I am not sure I trust dentists.

It is completely impossible to get an NHS dentist where I live. When I was pregnant I wasn’t registered with a dentist, but my midwife told me I could get free NHS dentistry. I duly signed up to the waiting list of pretty much every dentist in my county, followed them all up repeatedly… and 5 years later gave in and paid for private for me and my two kids.

No. You get paid when you see them if they’re routine patients

I’m sorry to hear that, I can imagine it’s sadly a very thankless job. I’m an ICU nurse so I understand the idea of never meeting anyone on their best day but I at least get the thanks and gratitude in the end! My understanding is that dentist (and anaesthetists I believe) are the careers with the highest depression and suicide risk. Why do you think this is? I was discussing with a colleague (an anaesthetist) and they said they thought it was about accessibility of drugs and the mental toll of always delivering pain and fear to people. Does this ring true to you? Do you see this mental toll on your colleagues?

Thank you for what you do!

This will very much depend on how tolerant your children are of dental treatment as braces will not be done if someone has difficulty tolerating treatment .

yes there are dentists who specialise in treating children with special needs but braces are done by orthodontists and unless a child can co operate with extractions and intensive treatment , impresssions etc over 18 month period brace work may not be appropriate.

Thank you for the kind words and I’m sorry for your hardship with nhs dentists.

It’s difficult to comment 100% as prices of check ups and treatments vary region to region. I will be honest though and say that in my region, a dentist will get paid £12 for an nhs exam and a private dentist will get paid £42 for an exam.

With NHS treatment, the issue for about of dentists is the banding system. They’ll get paid approx £36 for 1-3 fillings or approx to £52 for any amount of fillings over that. Even if it’s 32 fillings(one filling per tooth in an adult) which could take 15 hours of time (worst case scenario, accounting for just less than 30 mins per filling which is what I work at. That’s what… maybe £2 an hour? Of course I am talking worst case scenario there and most people aren’t like that but it’s one of the reasons dentists don’t take on new msg patients, in case that is the situation. It’s approx £72 for root canal on the nhs.

Privately you pay for each treatment you have, so if you did need 32 fillings, you pay for each one. Also complex treatments pay more so instead of the dentist getting approx £50 they may get £150.

That is sad. The nhs website is supposed to be consistent. If the practices are not taking on when they said they are, perhaps raise it with the nhs

The thing that baffles me about dentistry is everything else on the NHS is “charge? Nope, don’t be stupid” except “oh it’s your teeth? Nope, you’ll have to pay for that!”

Apart from prescriptions, opticians, wigs etc…

How do I explain to the dentist as a grown woman that the reason I’ve been avoiding the dentist is that I’m scared I’ll be told off for not going sooner? (A teeth broke and then further… kept breaking)