To be excited I got a place at an NHS dentist

[Lyra25]

And to realise labour are doing some good things?
I am the typical ‘floating voter’ and lately have felt like I don’t want to vote for anyone.
However, I just this week managed to sign up with an NHS dentist and anecdotally more places are available. Having been sceptical, I feel happy that labour are making good use of our taxes when I can see improvements like this. AIBU

Have labour done something specific that makes you think this is down to them? Genuine question as I’ve not heard anything.

There are two dental surgeries in my town who regularly open and close their NHS lists so there is always an opportunity to register at some point in the year. Both are pretty prompt to kick people off the NHS lists if they don’t attend - I got kicked off during Covid, I’d called and they told me I couldn’t make an appointment because they were only doing emergency, then when they did open up properly again told me I’d left it too long to make an appt! I managed to get reinstated because my DD also goes there.

Our nhs dentist charged my DH over £300 for a denture when a wardrobe accident knocked his front tooth out. Could you please explain to me how that’s free when he had to actually pay in full for the band 3 costs in full ?😂🤷🏼‍♀️

There are no free dentists, not even NHS.

I really don't. I have expressed concerns to the dentist and he just says my x-rays look fine. Never mind that some of my back teeth are eroding away and I am in pain.

In that case it sounds like you have a rubbish dentist, rather than it being an NHS specific issue. Are there other dentists at the same practice you could swap to?

Yes they have https://www.england.nhs.uk/2024/02/millions-more-dental-appointments-to-be-offered-under-nhs-dental-recovery-plan/

I agree and think that whoever made the comment about not being able to pay for dental treatment must be so out of touch with the reality for lots of people.
yes you have to pay for NHS treatment but it is far more affordable than the private alternative beyond routine check ups, private treatment is around three times more expensive

No, it is the same with my DP and his NHS dentist too (same surgery, different person)
With my previous one, she told me what work I needed, and when she found out that I was exempt from paying, I suddenly didn't need anything doing anymore.

I work in nhs dentistry. I thought the proposed changes don't happen until April? If they are immediate then no one in government has actually informed us.

Ive recently got a private dentist, I was really scared the cost was going to be horrific. Its not that terrible and the care is amazing.

Trying to get an NHS dentist is ridiculous

Some dentists won’t do a root canal. They are very time consuming. Crowns etc are much better private, materials wise etc . Some NHS won’t do white fillings in back teeth, either .

Well I'm pleased to hear at least some people are receiving reasonable NHS dental treatment.

My adult DD has severe learning difficulties and was under the NHS Special Needs Dental Clinic.
However, my DD is - as many special needs patients - extremely anxious and does not understand what is happening so it is impossible to just conduct a simple check up, let alone the other treatment she has needed over the years, without some form of sedation.

Guess what? The Special Needs Clinic doesn't offer any form of sedation. Unbelievable!!
(This clinic is purely for people with serious special needs.)

I have had to transfer my DD to a private dentist where it costs at least £800 just for the sedation before anything else so a check up costs close to £1000. God help any parents who can't afford it as of course DD just has her benefits.

These severely disabled people are treated as if they should just walk around like extras from Les Mis by the NHS. 😡

I have an NHS dentist. Had an emergency appointment early September for toothache, was given antibiotics, which helped but was told I need a filling or possibly root canal. my appointment do that to be done is not till February….