Can I switch between NHS and private dental care?

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

Can anyone help, please?

I have recently been diagnosed by a maxillo-facial consultant with atypical facial pain. Essentially my teeth (and gums) are “structurally sound” but the nerves are all misfiring, so I feel pain in my teeth and gums. I am lucky enough to have a fantastic NHS dentist (who referred me to hospital where I have had all manner of tests, and excellent care) and usually have a checkup every six months. Because of the pain, and being constantly scared something is actually wrong with a tooth, I would like to go every three months. The surgery offers private and NHS care. Would I be able to pay for two additional checkups a year privately? Or would that mean I could no longer have NHS care? I am going for a checkup next week and don’t want to look daft asking for something that’s not a thing.

I’ve never been scared of the dentist, but have developed significant anxiety around my teeth after a bit of a nightmare year.

Just ask at the dentist. I'd be very surprised if they wouldn't add private consultations for you. If there's some conflict of interest (or whatever) involved and they won't, you can always just go private elsewhere and continue with NHS at the current place.

Thanks, spoon. I really don’t want to be switching between different surgeries as I really like my dentist, but hopefully she will be able to accommodate the additional checkups privately.

Actually just ask to see her again in three months without mentioning private, see how that works out. If they say no ask just ask for private. You may find she tells you not to be so concerned and there's no need... up to you whether to push it then.

I think that’s exactly what she will say. The problem is that the pain moves about, so I panic that it is a tooth gone bad and not just the nerves. I’ve been offered medication to “blunt” the nerves, but don’t fancy the side effects.

I have this. Well yet to be confirmed but several dentists and X-rays have shown my teeth are fine but the front two burn like hell so I've been referred to a max fax with suspected neuropathy. I too don't want nerve medication either. My dentist is private and I'll just continue to go whenever I have a worry however often that is. He's so lovely often he doesn't even charge me to just pop in for five minutes.

avo my dentist is actually great about seeing me if I have concerns, but it’s awkward with work - I’m a lecturer and have set teaching hours so it can be a pain. Last year I needed quite a bit of treatment because I knackered my teeth with clenching and grinding due to stress, so I had about ten million appointments. (Max-Fac think that’s what’s triggered the nerve issues.)

You are literally me!! Also crazy clenching going on here too - my teeth throb when I wake. I'm a teacher so limited to outside school hours.

Apart from nerve blunting medication, what other advice have you been given?

Reduce stress! I am now onto a hard, lower splint at nights, because I chewed through the soft upper one. Tbh the clenching is a habit for me now. It started shortly after my DP was made redundant, but I didn’t realise until I had cracked a molar and weakened other back teeth. He’s working again now, and we’re actually in a better financial position than we were when he was in his previous post, but I can’t bloody stop. My front lower teeth have slightly worn tops to them which looks horrible, but I figure I would be wasting my money getting veneers or whatever just now while I am still clenching. (Although, that said, my dentist has never flagged those teeth as a concern and possibly I am just hyper aware of them.)

Reduce stress ha! I clench subconsciously stressed or not. My front tops don't meet my bottom teeth because of a very slight overbite so I can't fathom how the nerves are painful in these specific teeth.