Dental advice - NHS treatment?

[Doingakatereddy]

I have advanced bone loss in my jaw & periodontal disease (already lost 2 teeth) and was really struggling with my nhs dentist who recommended taking 6 teeth out & having dentures - issue was that he said he'd "see me privately & do me a deal if I didn't mention it'

I've since gone to a private dentist & had referral to peridontal specialist who has recommended urgent deep clean - but this will be £1500 as it's a procedure that gets right into gums

I really can't afford it & would hate to get into debt bit know it's necessary.

Does anyone know I'd this deep clean procedure is available on NHS & how I could go about getting it done on nhs if it is?

Sorry for lengthy post but v v upset

Can't post properly now but am a dentist and will try to get back to you this evening.

This would suggest that anything necessary to maintain good oral health is included. I would definitely try to get back with a good NHS dentist if I were you. The most you'd then be paying is £209 and possibly as less as £48 (click on the link 'How much will I pay for NHS treatment'.

Hope you get it sorted.

How the h... do you find an nhs dentist?

www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/ServiceSearch.aspx

Search on there, then ring them until you find one with spaces. Some areas have still got plenty, in other areas they are very difficult to find.

Are you anywhere near a dental school? They take on patients for the students. All treatment is free as far as I'm aware. You need to be flexible with your appointments

You won't get treatment as intensive on the NHS. You will get max 3 appts = about 60mins in all. There is no way that the treatment offered on the NHS will even come remotely close to what a periodontist would charge 1500 for.

Right, I'm back.
Strictly speaking, under the terms of the new NHS contract, the treatment should be provided on the NHS. However.....
Assuming the periodontal disease affects your whole mouth, it's going to take hours to treat. Your dentist is going to be paid about £60 max for this. If they are an associate (not a practice owner) they will actually get about £30. That's probably about £10 per hour, max. Before tax. Before insurance. Before further education costs. etc. It works out at not much more than minimum wage. You see why they don't offer it. If they do, they will probably rush it. If you can afford to get it done privately, it will be done to a higher standard and faster. Harsh but true.

My advice is....

1. see if you can get a referral to a dental hospital. The problem is that they won't see you until you have a) completed a basic course of periodontal treatment (catch 22..)b) get your oral hygiene very very good c) perhaps stop smoking, if you do. There is likely to be a long waiting list for this. During the wait your condition will deteriorate.
2. In the mean time, access what treatment you can afford. Private hygienist will cost about £50 for half an hour, and will give you a good head start.
3. Discuss payment plans with the periodontist. You might be surprised. They are unlikely to want the full cost of treatment up front, just as you go along.

Now, this is the awkward bit, and I'll leave you to reach your own conclusions about what I am suggesting. Please remember, I've not seen your mouth. I don't know your history. I've not read your clinical notes or seen your xrays. But the questions to ask are:
"how long have I had this?"
"could it have been detected and treated sooner, or even prevented?"
"would the outcome be different if it had been?".

Feel free to PM me.

The majority of people I speak to who say "how on earth do you find and NHS dentist?" haven't actually tried. For example, within five miles of where I work at an emergecny dental clinic there are 27 practices taking on NHS patients.

What bonzo said is absolutely true. Dental hospitals are difficult to get into for specialist treatment unfortunately and if you're not in their catchment area, they won't even get paid for seeing you.

Good luck