Have you got an NHS dentist?

[Wallaroo]

Just wondered after spending all yesterday afternoon trying to find one after moving back to the UK. It's a pain in the bum in the military as we move every 2-3 years, so far I have been lucky. Just wondered about everyone else.

[Artus]

This practice is taking NHS patients
www.eastgate-dental.co.uk

[Nicknamegrief]

I am a forces wife, lived near Aylesbury too (6 years ago) and had an NHS dentist. They were in the centre of Aylesbury opposite the shoe shop that stocked startrite ... I used to park outside Argos and walk through. They were very thorough.
I did spend about 3months on a waiting list first but I think they took a lot of forces people so you moved along the list pretty quickly.
I always get nervous with the new dentist hunt but so far have always been lucky.
The Cambrige Street Practice- I think.

[Phlojo]

I travel 15 miles to an NHS dentist, but recently in our nearest town a private practice has put up an NHS sign outside and a new NHS practice has opened - first NHS dentists there in years. Is this a coincidence, or are there more opening? Seems unlikely in the present climate.

I'm sticking with my current guy, as I trust him.

[Caster8]

That could be it higgle. Not sure. DH only recently transferred there after he got fed up making a big round trip to our nearest NHS one.
I will investigate further, next time I am near the dentist. I like to solve mysteries!

So, if he was already doing some NHS work, can he be made to do more?

[higgle]

Maybe he was a private dentist in a practice that also does NHS work? Not all the dentists in my practice do NHS work, but my lovely one does.

[Caster8]

Well that is strange.
That is what my DH says he was told by the private dentist when he went for his check up.
What does that mean then?
That the dentist is lying?
And why would he lie?

[Mrsmorton]

caster dentist are independent practitioners who subcontract their time to the NHS. No-body can tell them to take NHS patients. In fact, the NHS is very good at taking contracts off dentists and forcing them to go private.

So so so many urban myths about dentistry and in particular NHS dentistry. You couldn't "tell" a solicitor to start doing legal aid could you, or a private school to take state pupils...

[higgle]

Not do quality root canals? I had to see a private dentist associated with my own dentist's NHS practice about an implant. He noticed a root infection that was causing no problems under the support tooth for a bridge in a different bit of my mouth on the panoramic X ray and said I should go to his mate who was an expert to get the root canal filled and it would cost about £500. I asked my own dentist if this was necessary and he said he could do as good a job as anyone on the NHS, so he did it for me at a cost of less than £100, the second cheapest NHS figure ( might even have been £48) anyway it was cheap, he made and excellent job and does this sort of thing day in day out. We have excellent NHS dental services in Gloucestershire, and over the ears I have had loads of fancy stuff done, including two bridges.

[Caster8]

Yes. Very rare round here. Our local private one was recently told to take some NHS patients, and we got in!

[AliBingo]

I finally got an NHS dentist recently after a friend gave me a link to put in my postcode and find ones which were taking on NHS patients. It has saved me a fortune on Denplan.

The link was this one:-

www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/localservices/searchlocalservices.aspx

I am in Wales but presume there is similar for England.

[BikeRunSki]

Me too, also W Yorks.

[Madsometimes]

Me. But he doesn't take on new NHS patients and knocks you off the list if you don't attend for years. He says infrequent attenders have more complex dental issues and NHS doesn't give enough time to deal with them properly.

He switched me to NHS when I was pg, and dd's are NHS. However, dh is private.

[ukatlast]

papalazaru
I would use your BUPA cover to reimburse private costs rather than bother with NHS.
Pros of NHS: cheap
Cons of NHS: you can choose your practice but not your dentist and they often move on very quickly meaning you are being treated by a succession of newly qualified dentists, never building a relationship.
Quick appointment slots = rushed care.
What NHS covers is basic. No proper regular dental cleanings, cheaper materials, implants not available but they are quick to extract as they don't have enough time to do quality root canals.

It's a no brainer!

[higgle]

I have one in Gloucestershire, there are quite a few round here.

[papalazaru]

I'm happy I found this post as I was just going to start a similar one. I've been recommended a local one but they are private. We luckily have BUPA dental coverage thru DHs job so is there any benefit for me to find an NHS dentist as I presume most things are covered by the insurance...??. We too have just moved back to the UK so I am a bit confused by the whole NHS vs private system :(

[Strawberryshoreditch]

Hello,
we are moving to Strawberry Hill and are is need of a good NHS Dentist and orthodontist
Any recommendations would be most appreciated.

[cmotdibbler]

Yes, and theres loads of spaces at the practices round here - the PCT offered an incentive for NHS practices to set up. This is Worcestershire

[piscesmoon]

Yes-I have always had NHS dentist.

[notcitrus]

I live in south London where there are dozens of NHS dentists within a couple miles of me, all taking on new patients!

I suspect it would be cheaper for many people to book a cheap train ticket and Travelodge in London than have private dental care...

[emma1977]

Our family have and they're fab.

They were even advertising for new NHS patients in the local papers last week, so I assume places aren't that hard to come by round here.

[ohdearwhatamess]

No. Could have had one, but didn't like the look of the practice (Herts). I'm a bit scared of dentists and prefer to pay for someone I feel comfortable with.

[choosyfloosy]

Yes I have (found via the link thisisyesterday gives.) There shoudl be a phone number somewhere if you can't find one.

[mrsmalumbas]

I found one that will take the kids as NHS but me and DH have to go private. He is not so expensive, although it did cost DH 300 quid to get a crown replaced!

[malfoy]

mine is in Wimbledon Park and we only registered last week.

[thisisyesterday]

actually here you go you'll have to trawl through the results. but might throw something up