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

Yes I know that. But it can be very hard if you have MH issues or are ND.
Dental hygiene or any hygiene does not come that easy for some of us

Most NHS work will end up with the practice loosing money . By going independent/private they will actually be able to charge enough to cover the bills.

Two colleagues have each just given up their NHS contracts as they both lost a 6 figure sum on the contract last year.

I’m terrified from the dentist from experiences with childhood dentist and naval dentist
I’ve really bad receding gums at the bottom front with some bone loss- I use a harp cleaner (floss) and fine but when stop for a few days gums still bleed
dentist who is rubbish with me I cry and make them feel uncomfortable says I need deep cleaning 3 monthly but said my teeth will be wobbly after which has really scared me in to going for the treatment. What can I do

Very reluctantly given up my nhs dentist. I had a crown on the nhs, it was poorly fitted and fell out. It was refitted but is sitting wrong and the silver near the gum is visible as it’s not sitting flush. It’s also silver on the bottom of the crown as the dentist had to grind so much away. Just one of a long list and unfortunately I’ve totally lost my trust in the practice.

Thanks for the reply. They have assured me that the charges will stay exactly the same? So are there other requirements under the NHS contract which would eat into the fee? I cant see the benefit of switching otherwise?

There are some practices where their UDA value (units of dental activity) is less than the patient fees so they end up paying back some of the money collected.

Otherwise I would think whereas on the NHS you pay the same for one filling or ten , I would imagine the practice will charge for each filling individually.

Honestly, I had this problem but couldn't get it treated on the NHS. I ended up going privately. It saved my teeth. If your dentist is offering you this on the NHS I'd really do it to save your teeth despite the discomfort. It's so worth it. Good luck!!!

For ages I couldn’t even get in to see a private dentist. I have now but it’s so expensive. Have never managed to find an nhs dentist. Desperately need work doing but I can’t afford it - it will cost in the thousands!

Hi, me and my family are all with NHS dentists and have had excellent care. The only gripe I have is paying to see the hygienist when scrape and polish is part of the treatment. Once I add that to the price I might as well have paid private.

I would add that I grew up in an area with fluoridated water, didn’t see a dentist from age 11 to 20 (moved house, never re registered) and have no fillings., or crowns etc. Am I just fortunate or was it the water?

I know we are fortunate from hearing about others experiences.

I do wonder whether we should still offer universal free dental care for the whole population though. Children, yes, pregnant women, yes, those on certain benefits, yes, but dentistry should be aligned with prescriptions and opticians, in that those who can pay, should, no?

Dental plans are not horribly expensive, you can get them through insurance, or via the private dentist. It's what most of the rest of the world does, and they seem to cope.

I remember the school dentists visiting the school i went to.

The teachers told us to go into the assembly area and a dentist accompanied by a nurse checked our teeth and if they said tick or circle it meant your teeth needed treatment or didnt.

My NHS practice has been taken over and went 50% private. 6 monthly check ups have suddenly changed to annual and they are constantly pushing private treatments while you are in the chair mouth open which I personally find quite intimidating.

It would be so much better if NHS dentists weren't allowed to mention private treatments unless you specifically ask for a separate consultation.

NHS dentistry is not universally free. Most people have to pay even for NHS dentistry

It is on its arse, but seems to vary such a lot depending on area. We have three dental practices in our small town, all very highly regarded. One of them even advertised on our local fb that they’re taking on new nhs patients this week (I’d assumed they’d already have a waiting list of people)

My BIL on the other hand who lives other end of the country has had to phone the dentist every morning at 8am for weeks in the hope of securing an appointment for a very painful tooth that needed filling (our practice would have you in within a couple of days if you’re in pain)

I am lucky enough to have an NHS dentist and I really do appreciate it.

I have been at the same practice for decades and the two main dentists I have seen are fabulous. They take time to explain things and are very encouraging.

You actually want to clean your teeth better, to make them happy!

Unfortunately a dentist can be seen as negligent if they don't mention all treatment options including private. They are not to prejudge what people will spend money on and dentists in the UK have been successfully sued for not mentioning a private option.

Scale and polish is not part of NHS treatment. If you have gum disease then that will be treated but routine removal of tartar from say the lower front teeth is deemed to have no health benefit so is private treatment.

Substitute "hate" with "fear". I'd bet that your patients really like YOU but fear "the drilling".
I really like my dentist. His fun banter always makes me laugh but I dread the DRILL!

did you have wobbly teeth after? I'm worried they'll put the teeth out. my gums are pretty much at the bottom of my mouth. How bad were yours?
thank you for replying

No I didn’t but my gums were bad enough with 7-8 mm gaps that if I hadn’t had them treated I’d have started to lose my teeth. The cleaning slowed the disease right down. I think the dentist would be able to assess the risk. I would try and get treatment to slow down the disease as there’ll be a lower risk of losing your teeth. Could you talk to another dentist to get their opinion? Or make another appointment and take a friend or family member for moral support to find out exactly what this dentist means. Perhaps have a list of questions written out beforehand to make sure you get the info you need. I’m sorry the dentist has been so unsympathetic. I can’t imagine they’d do a treatment that would lead to your teeth/gums getting worse at least I’d hope not. Good luck xxx

I don't mind going to the dentist, I used to have a lovely nhs chap but he retired so now go private..my dentist is not too expensive but I usually get most work done abroad either in spain or colombia..A lot cheaper and its all private so you can shop around and compare quotes...I have noticed that the technology seems to be far superior to the uk, scans were available in colombia over 15 years ago, on site labs made a crown while you waited. About 4 years ago i had bonding and a crown done in turkey, very good..the turkish govt has incenctives for dentists, low taxes and no tax on equipment to boost the dental tourism industry, explains why its a lot cheaper than uk etc.

£280 today to have two teeth out

@Lollygaggle a scrape and polish is part of the band 1 NHS treatment. Look it up.

@CookingFatCat Only if it is clinically necessary. If you have no gum disease it is not clinically necessary it is cosmetic.

There are many treatments as part of band 1 eg x rays , study models etc but that doesn’t mean it is appropriate to have them . NICE guidelines in 2018 stated that routine scale and polish and no clinical benefits . This is part of the research that informed that decision https://www.nationalelfservice.net/dentistry/periodontal-disease/periodontal-health-no-additional-benefit-6-monthly-scale-polish/

if you don’t have gum disease and want a scale and polish you have to pay for it privately.

I’m lucky to have a good NHS that I’ve been going to for 20 odd years. I know many local people who can’t now get one for love nor money. Even my DD, who now lives and works away still comes back for this dentist - it’s even worse where they now live to find NHS…..it’s ridiculous and stressful for all.
on a side note….I’d rather go to dentist than the hairdresser 😂😂😂 and my teeth are knackered out.