Can’t afford a dentist? What can I do?

[Snowtimex7]

Not for my but DP. he needs- what we now know as a root canal on a top tooth you can see if he smiles. He’s 32. We paid for an emergency dentist to get a scan to find out what’s going on. He’s in so much pain and taking painkillers every 2-4 hours for the past 3 days. The tooth is going a dark colour.

problem- we don’t qualify for NHS. Even if there was one near us (there isn’t) we earn over the threshold but all of our money goes on keeping us alive.

we’ve contacted three dentists. Prices we are looking at is £600 (partly done) £1145 for the full treatment. Nothing seems to be cheaper. Even locked at an additional place miles away by my parents. Out of budget.

He has a heart condition, they stress he has to take his dental health seriously due to the infection but yet he doesn’t qualify for free dental? Trying to get hold of his consultant but she’s away.

can’t take out credit cards bad rating- no one is in the position to lend us £1k+

he’s in a lot of pain and I’m just not sure what to do?

I need £1k+ of work doing. No NHS dentists. Living pay cheque to pay cheque. 3 emergency appointments in 4 weeks and can’t get me in for the work I need until August.

Currently looking at going abroad as it’s about half the price of UK and you could make a holiday of it.

Most people don't qualify for free dental.

NHS dentists are not means tested but you have to find one willing to take you on. Can you look further afield and be prepared to drive?

I got my back molar extracted in similar circumstances. The dentist did warn me that a root canal would not necessarily get rid of the infection,

In theory I could get a bridge or false tooth but I've just left it as you can't see it when I smile.

You're mixing up NHS dentistry which everybody is entitled to, with your expedition for free maternity treatment

I totally understand you can't find an NHS dentist taking on patients. But if you could, your dh absolutely would be able to register. It's not dependent on income.

As said above, he would qualify for NHS treatment but would pay NHS prices (cheap compared to private). If you were on low income, it would be free, that's the bit you are over the income threshold for.

Do you have any local dental hospitals attached to a university? I was referred by the GP to the dental hospital due to the private dentists not being able to treat me. Your GP or Consultant for his heart may be able to secure him an appointment at the dental hospital.

There will be nhs dentists taking on new patients but you have to travel. If you’re prepared to travel for 2-3 hours you’ll find one.
If he rings 111 they will find him an emergency appointment with an nhs dentist. He will have to pay the nhs charge

I am trying to find an nhs dentist (for routine) and so far have tried everywhere within 2 hours travel that on the nhs dentist finder website say they might be taking nhs patients on but everyone I have contacted have said they’re not taking nhs patients on.

honestly if anyone knows anywhere in the East Midlands or South Yorkshire taking on nhs patients please let me know.

Birmingham dental hospital?

https://www.bhamcommunity.nhs.uk/birmingham-dental-hospital/

I really haven’t. I was stating that I myself have been on lists that haven’t moved. We of course have called as many as we can the moment his has been causing him pain

We have found this. So sorry you are in the same boat! at first it was salt water wash. Then it was directing to website, then it was contact this one as they do accept- but they won’t. Just not helpful going round in circles. It’s awful how many people seem to be in the same position. I hope you find one!

This is shit op and been exactly where you are since September.

One of my dc had a cracked back molar after being hit in the face with a solid ball during an activity.

We didn't even realise the tooth was cracked until an abscess appeared the size of a golf ball.

Our nhs dentist closed down not long ago and we've been on a list since then but there are nobody taking on nhs patients round here.

We did the 111 thing and was given antibiotics and a numbing injection. It was cleaned out and sealed but told only temporary and needed to find an nhs dentist

That was September.
It happened again in December and this time we were sent to a and e.
They sent us away and told us to see gp

Called them and sent away and told to find a dentist.

We paid £290 for a consultation,an X-ray and a prescription for antibiotics again and booked for it to be extracted three weeks later when the infection cleared up.

It cleared but came back with a vengeance about two weeks later so a week before extraction was booked.

We had to find another private dentist to take an emergency and the tooth was removed with an incision made in the gum as well as a strong antibiotic.

This bill was £350 so altogether we spent over £600 just to finally get the tooth removed.

The quote for root canal was £1600

Apart from the stress and cost my poor dc was so rough for such a long time and in constant pain in their face head neck and gums.

She lost weight rapidly as she couldn't eat and wasn't hungry which is why we ended up paying but even then it still took a week nearly for a private dentist to see us

It's an absolutely shocking state of a dental system in this country

@CormorantStrikesBack Try Fitzwilliam Street Dental Care in Wath upon Dearne. We're with them, very good and it's NHS.

I will have a look into this and push for his consultant. I didn’t know they could refer. Thank you!

My dentist quoted me less than £100 for an nhs root canal or £600 for same treatment privately. Main difference was the wait. I couldn’t afford it so I waited.

Where I am if you can’t find an nhs dentist to take you on then 111 can refer to emergency dentist who can refer to dental hospital for treatment. Given infection/ heart I’d give them a call and see what they recommend.

I'm so sorry OP this situation is awful.
I'm 33 and have not had access to and NHS dentist in my adult life. I live rurally but tried for miles and miles. Everyone around here is the same. I spent my 20s saving £100 a month to fund private. Absolutely crazy.
Thankfully I've had no real emergencies like your poor partner but had to leave an abscess for months until I could save up enough for the extraction needed.
How has it been allowed to get into such a state.

You said you are over the earning threshold for NHS - there is no such thing.

It looks like you can self refer to the hospitals. There’s one in Sheffield as well. Their website has a phone number to call.

This is the list of people that get it completely free. Anyone else can have an NHS dentist and you pay either band 1, 2 or 3 depending on what you need doing. It's finding an NHS dentist that is the issue. You don't have to stick to your area, so could call practices even further away that 25 miles. Otherwise your only option may be to save up or put it on a credit card and go private to get the work done.

My NHS dentist wouldn’t do root canal treatment as it is so time consuming. Many dentists won’t because of their contract and how they are paid. She recommended private because the quality is of the work and materials is much better. Many years ago I had it done free at the teaching hospital ( a long way away) but there was a long waiting list, and it was over a year before I got it done, and it’s hard to get it done at the hospital now.

Try the ‘My Dentist’ chain. There are several in South Yorkshire.

Currently going through similar. In agony with a decaying tooth which needs extracting but the waiting lists are horrendous. In the meantime I'm getting infections, having to pay for emergency consultations and prescriptions and constantly feeling shit and being worried that I'm going to end up with sepsis.
I just want the damn thing removing at this point.
Are they certain that root canal will fix this issue for your dh?

Try these
https://dentalchoices.org/find-nhs-dentists-in/england/south-yorkshire/sheffield/

Same for me as the last paragraph and I’m in the Easy Midlands. I think Corby has an emergency NHS dentist

I’ve not been able to get a debtist for 6 years but I managed to get in at a dental school and I have to say it’s amazing!

It can take a long time as you’re having to go in for 10mins here and there and it seems a waste of time but it’s free and it’s an actual dentist.

If you find one they will need to do a check up and create a treatment plan but he could ask that his issue is done as soon as possible if he’s in pain.

I am currently trying to find a dentist for my DC who hasn’t been seen in over 6 years but no nhs dentists are taking on kids and I can’t afford private.

I'm in Nottingham, have a look at the Sheffield Dental Hospital. One of DH's friends went there for some work as its NHS. If you google, there are contact details.
I'd definitely try his cardiologist, or is there a nurse specialist team? I'm a cancer nurse specialist in Nottm and we have access to a quick referral into QMC for patients who need dental work prior to chemotherapy (due to infection risk, so similar), so there's definitely a service there.