Dental backlog

[RaspberryCoulis]

Children and I haven't seen a dentist since November 2019.

Just called to try to make an appointment, understandably they're busy but managed to get appointments for end of July.

But the receptionist says - when you arrive it'll look like we're closed, door is locked and blinds are down, phone and we'll let you in. What's that all about??

That's normal these days for medical places. They don't want people either randomnly walking in or waiting for a long time in the waiting room (Covid risk), so you wait in the car park until your appointment time. They normally make you do a Covid screening as well (possibly the most pointless thing ever "Do you have any Covid symptoms?" - um no one is surely stupid enough to say "yes" and still have tried to go to the dentist.)

My dentist is still emergencies only due to the backlog and shortage of dentists.

If you want proper dental care locally now the only choice really is to go find a private one. I'm sure thats not a plan at all to move people to going private.....

Yeah, as UserAtRandom said, lot of places aren't using their waiting rooms and are avoiding people trying to walk-in so waiting is outside and staff come to the door to let people in.

My opticians still does this (saw them this week with DD2) though has a lot more space out front for it and parking on site, dentist had a whole system outside their place with places to stand marked out on what little out front they have with no parking though this stopped a couple months back (due to teeth and jaw issues that needed surgery, I've seen them about monthly since December, so have noticed a lot of changes). The signs are still on the door, but if you call as the signs say they tell you to come in but parts of their waiting rooms are marked off now. It's all different depending on the place and ever changing.