NHS Dentistry Patient Information

Toothsmith

January 3rd 1987.

My first day of work with an NHS Contract.

March 30th 2006.

My last day of work with an NHS contract.

penrhyn

Will going private help you with dating the lovely Leela?

Toothsmith

I'm sorry, have I missed something?

Mrs T.S. would be cross!!!

(Or should I say the CURRENT Mrs T.S would be cross!?)

scope

Shame I didnt know this sooner.. I've just managed to register with a NHS dentist and is nearly finished with a treatment (3 fillings).. But since my last appointment (1 filling) is next week it seems I have to pay the full £42 for the last filling, even though I have already paid for the xray, diagnosis, 2 other fillings, etc.. I rang to check if I could pay only for the filling (around £15), but the dentist havent come back to me yet.. Not just that, but I paid some £45 just to register.. Should have lived with the pain for a few more week, eh?

melancholly

just thought i'd bump this up and try to pick people's brains!

i need to have a check up with a dentist but i'm nervous - i've moved from where i lived for years and about 18 months ago tried to register with local NHS dentists (before the bizarre system change) but all said they were full. i went to a private practice who said i needed 3 fillings at some vast cost. i found another dentist who gave a second opinion - one 1 filling needed....... and this dentist (further from where i live) accepted nhs patients so i had the work done there. the filling was fine, but the surgery was just a bit old and not very modern.... there was no suggestion of a scale and polish or anything like that, and i was also wondering why this dentist could have places left for nhs patients when no-one else did.........(is that unfair?!)

so (ramble over) - how do i pick a dentist that i can trust not to quote me unecessary work and that will be good?! i've spoken to neighbours and they either haven't seen a dentist in years :eek: or use one near their work that is miles away.

Toothsmith

Why do you assume the 3 fillings is unnecessary?

Could it just have been that that dentist took his time and was more thorough?

He should be able to show you where the fillings are, and give you some evidence of them, either with a mirror, X-ray, or even an intra-oral camera.

Different dentists often give different treatment plans. Whether to take a drill to a tooth is a very subjective decision - it is not an exact science.

Any dentist should be able to explain the reasons behind his/her thinking though.

P.S. Thanks for finding this thread again. I was looking for it a few days ago - and couldn't find it!

melancholly

Toothsmith wrote:

Why do you assume the 3 fillings is unnecessary?

Could it just have been that that dentist took his time and was more thorough?

He should be able to show you where the fillings are, and give you some evidence of them, either with a mirror, X-ray, or even an intra-oral camera.

Different dentists often give different treatment plans. Whether to take a drill to a tooth is a very subjective decision - it is not an exact science.

Any dentist should be able to explain the reasons behind his/her thinking though.

P.S. Thanks for finding this thread again. I was looking for it a few days ago - and couldn't find it!

ther first thing the dentist asked me was whether i was referred to them or whether i just noticed the surgery.... bit odd! i appreciate it's subjective, but being told that 2 teeth on opposites of my mouth needed fillings within a month versus only one that's not yet urgent is quite dodgy............. and when the one quoting more work means i pay more - you can see how it looks! i don't think this is a reflection on most dentists btw - it's just so difficult when you have to put your trust in a stranger with no insight yourself!

Toothsmith

That's not actually an unusual first question!

It's often quite revealing as to why a patient comes to you in particular, as opposed to anywhere else, it also can lead nicely into questions about previous dental history.

And if another patient has recommended someone, it is nice to thank that patient when they are next in.

I agree that finding a dentist you trust is a stressful journey. At the moment though I'm finding it hard to understand why you have dismissed this particular one.

Although just 'gut feeling' can be as important as anything.

My No.1 recommended way of finding a dentist is to get a personal recommendation. Particularly from somebody with nice looking teeth!!

exel1966

I read earlier in the thread that NHS dentists are not supposed to charge for missed appointments, but are they permitted to charge in advance for check-ups as my NHS practice has just started doing this ?

Toothsmith

Yes they are, but if you miss the appointment, they cannot charge again, and if you decide not to go, they must refund it.

They are entitled to ask for any NHS fees to be paid in advance.