Has anyone used any of these Oral and Maxillofacial depts? (SE London/Kent)

[VKschmeekay]

I have been referred to an Oral and Maxillofacial specialist, and with the new NHS choices system, I can choose where to go.

Obviously I want to get the best opinion, treatment and care, so if you have had any experience of the following hospitals, please come and tell me about it.

Choices:

Oral & Maxilliofacial Surgery - Queen Victoria Hospital Foundation Trust @ Darent Valley, RPC, Darent Valley Hospital

Oral & Maxilliofacial Surgery @ Orpington Hospital for South London Healthcare Trust - RYQ, Orpington Hospital

Oral Surgery Service @ Queen Mary's Hospital for South London Healthcare Trust - RYQ, Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup

TIA

No one in my area at all then?

No - DS has been treated by the Oral Surgery dept at King's in S London.
My general advice would be to choose one which is a teaching hospital or unit - are any of those teaching hospitals or units? i.e part of a medical school?

I had years of treatment for orthodontics at kings, as a teen, then later in life at maxillofacial unit(one session where I was told I couldn't be helped as my condition is benign).

The orthodontics was OK-I ended up with straight teeth which was the point in going. I couldn't tell you how it compares to anywhere as I only have experience of kings college but I don't have any complaints, none that I remember anyway(was a looong time ago).

Hope that helps a little.

No, none of them are teaching hospitals AFAIK.

Thanks anyway ladies.

In the absence of any scare stories or accolades I'd pick the one easist to travel to, or nicest to stay in - if you are going to be in hospital!

Google the hospitals and departments and see what you find.

I'd go for QVH@ Darent Valley. The QVH do amazing stuff, and their reputation is fantastic. QVH is in East Grinstead, and when we used to live there you saw a lot about their surgery

Yes, when looking at the info on the NHS choices website, Orpington didn't get very good reviews.

10/14 would recommend QMH and there were NO reviews for DVH, yet the info said that all inpatient cases are in East Grinstead.

CMOT - I think you may have just persuaded me. DVH is closest to me and I know about some of the hospital but not about the maxfax dept, so with what you say about QVH...

Also, QVH@DVH has 55 day waiting list, the other two have 39 days! Oh well, wait it is.

Right, off I go to book it then!