NHS exemption dental question!

mharimoo

I have been on a waiting list for 2 years for the local Anxiety clinic, i called them today and they say that it should only be another few months before i'm called for an 'assesment appointment'.

I have a maternity exemption certificate which runs out at the end of May 2010. I am guessing that, even if i get this assessment appontment in the next few months (she said to call back if i hadn't heard from them by the end of March) the chances of me getting treatment before my exemption runs out are quite slim.

I am fairly sure i need a lot of work done and would most likely need a general aneasthetic as i'm so phobic.

Does anyone know, if your exemption is accepted at the start of treatment or the end? I mean, if i start treatment while exempt, but it runs out during treatment do i have to pay?

Thanks in advance!

jenniewb

I'm not sure of the answer to your question, but would have thought either your dentist or the NHS people would know the answer to this- have you tried asking them? they helped me with my questions when I was a student and entitled to free medical financial help.

Toothsmith

If you start your treatment whilst exempt, then it lasts for that course of treatment.

Phobias are best dealt with by treatment under sedation. Much safer than a G.A. Will still take a long time to get seen though if you're relying on the NHS.

Whatever you do, don't pass your phobia on to your baby! Make sure they go regularly from a very young age (6 mths).

mharimoo

Toothsmith wrote: »

If you start your treatment whilst exempt, then it lasts for that course of treatment.

Phobias are best dealt with by treatment under sedation. Much safer than a G.A. Will still take a long time to get seen though if you're relying on the NHS.

Whatever you do, don't pass your phobia on to your baby! Make sure they go regularly from a very young age (6 mths).

Thanks for your reply! I can't bring myself to take her but my husband takes her every time he has a check up (6 monthly) so she's getting used to it. I would hate for her to feel like i do.

jugglebug

Also you need to know that very often you do not have the full range of treatment options offered to you if you insist on general anaesthetic.
The provision of GA is very patchy across the country for dentistry as it is not seen as ideal treatment. Therefore waiting lists are long and should there be a complication with treatment it can be another ages before it can be dealt with.
For example when I did GA's at my local hospital (4 years ago now) there was no option for crowns, bridges or root treatments. If it wasn't able to be restored by a straight forward filling then the tooth was to be extracted. It just isn't worth the risks of GA to leave someone open to repeat GA's

Sedation is definitely the way to go

mharimoo

Good to know, thanks! I have no idea what my options are since it's many many years since i've had any treatment so i'm not really up on all the options open to me. Thanks for your feedback.

I've heard sedation is good?

welshdent

mharimoo wrote: »

Good to know, thanks! I have no idea what my options are since it's many many years since i've had any treatment so i'm not really up on all the options open to me. Thanks for your feedback.

I've heard sedation is good?

I have many patients that swear by it!