not sure what to do about dentist?

[ymakesmile]

I currently have a nhs dentist who i have been seeing for about 3 years but i have never been happy with how they treat me and they seem to fob me off all the time rather than do any treatment. So i am thinking of leaving and going private as that seems the only option. However im not sure what to do as i cant really afford it, but i cant be without a dentist as i have a veneer on my front tooth which ive had for about 10 years now and im sure its on its way out! Can i just tell my current dentist that i will no longer be going there anymore? And does anyone have any suggestions on what would be my best route to take with getting better dental care in an affordable way?

[McKneff]

why not have a look around for another nhs dentist before you give up on the first one!!

other than that most dentists (if you want to go private) have a dental insurance plan in place where you pay so much per month for a set of treatments per year

[ymakesmile]

can i just leave one nhs dentist for another nhs dentist in the same area though? i mean what do i tell my current dentist, i feel rather awkward about it, but i cant bare to go back there again!:confused:

[tirednewdad]

It would be nice of you to ring up your current NHS dentist, once you find a new one, to let them know that you have found a new one.
You do not have to explain why you are leaving them. Simply leave a message with either reception or the practice manager to state that you are leaving. IT IS NOT a legal requirement to tell them but it is good manners

Again make sure first that you have one in place before cancelling as if you have an emergancy it is expensive.

Also it is important to consider that your veneer wont be replaced on the NHS unless there is a major problem with it or the tooth. Unfortunately if the problem is just the look of it then you will have to pay privately for it anyway:D .

[Toothsmith]

I would echo the above advice.

Look around now at just what is available to you (Follow the tips in my signature).

If and when you find somewhere else you are happy with, (Private or NHS) then make a first appointment and go for an initial examination. Once you're sure this is the place for you, then just drop your old dentist a line, thanking him, and saying you'll be going somewhere "more convienient" from now on.

Registration with a dentist no longer exists on the NHS, so it's not like anyone has any committment to a dentist or patient nowadays.

[ymakesmile]

Also it is important to consider that your veneer wont be replaced on the NHS unless there is a major problem with it or the tooth. Unfortunately if the problem is just the look of it then you will have to pay privately for it anyway:D .


I totally understand that but i think there is a more major problem as i had a lump above the tooth which they did work on but i still seem to have issues, although i know this doesnt affect the look of the tooth and i would have to pay privately to get it changed for my own peace of mind, its more if it cracks or comes off that worries me.