Finding a dentist

[dancingfairy]

Hi how do I go about finding a dentist? I want a good one and preferably an NHS one although I'll go private if that's the only option and I get a good dentist. I have done a search on here and can't find the info. Are there any qulaifications I should be looking for? any specific questions to tell if a dentist is a good one or not. The only plan I have really is just to do a search and find out which ones in my area are accepting NHS people and then maybe phone them/go and have a look around? I used to have a really good dentist but have since moved house so need a new one. I don't really have any local friends to ask (just left uni) and my partner has just gone with a dentist after being offered emergency tooth treatment there (they were recommended by the emergency dental line he phone) but they don't seem to be very good to me. Thanks

[Toothsmith]

It really needs to be said nowadays that if you value having your teeth for life, then finding a decent private dentist is the way to go.

There are good NHS dentists out there, but the way the system is structured, to provide the cheapest possible solution to any given problem, it does not encourage any preventative work at all.

Getting recommendations really is the best way to find a dentist. Could you ask work colleagues? neighbours?

Denplan has a 'find a dentist' facility on their website (www.denplan.co.uk (http://www.denplan.co.uk)).

If you get a few possibilities, then doing some legwork and visiting the practices will pay dividends. Go on te pretext of finding 'more information' and ask for practice leaflets/fee guides ets.

Check that the staff are friendly and helpful. Check they are up-front about charges and what is/isn't available on the NHS (if they do NHS).

Be very wary if an 'NHS practice' seem to tell you that some routine treatments are not available on the NHS. For example if they say that hygienist visits or root fillings aren't available. This means that they are 'cherry picking' what they provide on the NHS, and this is really not allowed under the terms of their NHS contract.

Avoid places that bend the rules - if they can't provide NHS treatment honestly, they shouldn't provide it at all. And it doesn't bode well for their integrity.

So - look for friendly helpful staff, look for a neat tidy waiting room (Not stuffed full of patients that look like they've been waiting ages). Look for accreditations such as Denplan Excel, BDA good practice scheme, investors in people, etc.

Once you find a place where you feel you'll be well looked after, and the fees are affordable, then book your first appointment.

Good luck.

[moomin_white]

Hi how do I go about finding a dentist? I want a good one and preferably an NHS one although I'll go private if that's the only option and I get a good dentist. I have done a search on here and can't find the info. Are there any qulaifications I should be looking for? any specific questions to tell if a dentist is a good one or not. The only plan I have really is just to do a search and find out which ones in my area are accepting NHS people and then maybe phone them/go and have a look around? I used to have a really good dentist but have since moved house so need a new one. I don't really have any local friends to ask (just left uni) and my partner has just gone with a dentist after being offered emergency tooth treatment there (they were recommended by the emergency dental line he phone) but they don't seem to be very good to me. Thanks

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/find/results/index.aspx?WT.svl=nav

that's a good start :)
how far have you moved? if it's not far your NHS dentist would probably still keep you on his books and a private one would definatley keep seeing you.

dentists are like mechanics - it's hard to know if you have a good one or not! best thing is to get recommendations from people. If you want to check a dentist is registered - go to the General Dental Council website where you can tap in heir name to discover whether they are allowed t practice.A bad sign is if you've been going regularly with no problems but your new dentist recommends a whole load of new fillings. Definatley second opinion time!

[dancingfairy]

Just wanted to say thanks guys as I forgot at the time. Thankfully it looks like my dentist is willing to keep me on. It is a bit of a trek to fo to the dentist now but saves having to find a new one. Hope other people find the info as helpful and will keep it in mind when the time inevitably comes.

[Toothsmith]

'A bit of a treck' is OK so long as it's always routine stuff that you've planned in advance.

What about the day you trip over your doorstep and smash a couple of front teeth? How far will you have to drive with a bleeding face, or will you phone around using yellow pages for a local one?

Of course - chances are this will never happen, .......but what would you do if it did/

A local dentist is always the best bet, so I really would spend some time looking for a decent one now.