Dentists - Aaaarrgghh

La_Fenice

Just phoned my dentist to make an appointment for a routine inspection......

Dragon-Lady on reception says:-
'Can't, you've been de-registered'

Says I.
'Why' ??? ??? ???

Dragon-Lady says
'Its one year and two weeks since we last saw you, so we can no longer see you as a National Health patient'

Apparentley you get 'struck off' after an absence of one year,(and this after being a patient for 15 years!) The reason I waited so long to make the appointment for the inspection was that the practice has stopped sending out reminder cards but they never bothered to tell me..so I was just waiting and waiting nothing.

And now I have the nightmare of trying to find a new NHS dentist.

Is this a common occurence or is it just peculiar to this one practice?

In the words of Pam thingummybob.....Oh I wish I'd looked after me teeth!

Nile

That might be their policy and the receptionist is just sticking to rules but...................I'd be tempted to try again.

If you're happy with this dentist, why not call in person and speak to the receptionist?

Tell her that you've been a patient for 15 years and you really think they provide the best care a patient could want........flannel, flannel, grovel etc. It might just work and the receptionist will (break the rules) relent and give you an appointment.

16011996

thats awful, i would write to practise mamnager, and see what they say.

Spendless

The same thing happened to me - but the dentist agreed to take me back on - this was about 9 years ago tho - haven't dared miss appt since ::)


A friend of mine missed at same practise about a year ago and they refused to re-instate her or her kids

I took kids to our dentist yesterday - and it said something along lines - that you are on a 15 month rolling register from your last appt - don't know if that is purely our practice though.

If your area is like mine. The other month there was only 1 practice in the whole of town accepting NHS patients - you might find it difficult to get back on.

Good Luck in sorting it out

Bossyboots

Having not gone to the dentist for years, I finally went as a private patient with Boots. The service was outstanding and they were very patient with this blubbering 40 something who was terrified.

So what do they go and do. Get rid of their dental services! Guess it'll be another 20 years before I go again.

aussielle

Our dentist has a 12 month policy on this but does still send out the reminders for check ups.