NHS dentist question re children

[soupdragon321]

My 15ds has had a brace fitted for past two years, having been referred to a specialist by our normal dentist. He’s just had it removed and weve been told he needs to go back to his normal dentist to have a filling sorted. Just rang our normal dentist who said as he’s not been seen for two years he’s been removed from their list, they are not taking any new nhs patients on, and he’ll have to find one elsewhere. Can this be right? I rang the only dentists in the area taking on new nhs patients and they’ve said the wait list is five months long, but that as DS is a child the original dentists cannot remove him from their list - it’s illegal. Can anyone confirm? Thanks

It’s not illegal -he’s lapsed

Even while seeing the specialist he should still have been seeing his regular dentist for check ups.

If he hasn't been then that's why they have done it

Do they have a policy or T&Cs that would have warned you about this? Or did they send any reminders?

Its standard for NHS patients to be removed from the books if they've lapsed.

Even if they are children? We’ve not had any reminders about regular appointments with them.

In England and Wales there is no such thing as registration for dental patients. Dentists can only see people if they have capacity to do so.
That being said , because of massive demand , most dentists try to prioritise regular patients.
There is no obligation for a dentist to see anyone , child or adult.

In Scotland and NI there is registration with differing time limits.

It will be because he's not been for his 6 monthly checkups. You don't get reminders you have to make the appointment yourself

Even when I had orthodontics treatment about 20yrs ago, I still saw my 'normal dentist' about every 6-12 months. I had about 5 years of orthodontic treatment