bad dentist

brook2jack

I advise my student patients to find a dentist at uni if they are likely to need treatment because even though I mostly treat private patients it is often impossible to fit them in for a full course of treatment at the short notice and timescales involved to fit in with their holidays.

When I was nhs it would have been impossible to do so when my book was full 6 weeks in advance I couldn't leave spaces open on the off chance eg someone will be home on holidays for 2 weeks at Christmas

Your new years resolution should be to send in a hc1 form to see if you are entitled to help with nhs charges and then find yourself a nhs dentist at home but don't expect the impossible from them. They will often be booked up weeks in advance and you probably won't get your treatment all sorted out in one holiday. That may very well cost you more but that's the system and I'm afraid that just because you are limited as to when you can go you can't expect an overstretched system to make accomodations for you.

WolfSong2000

I actually graduate next summer, so wont be a student for much longer! I understand the NHS system is stretched, and it is frustrating, but I would have appreciated some clarity from the English dentist - I was given the impression that there would be no problem getting an appointment for treatment after the initial consultation, but this wasn't the case...I also resent paying when I feel the job wasn't done properly in the first place.

I'm not entirely blameless in this situation, I admit that...I should have been more organised with finding a dentist, but the English one hasn't been clear (or truthful) with me and I resent that.

alison999

WolfSong2000 wrote: »

II was given the impression that there would be no problem getting an appointment for treatment after the initial consultation, but this wasn't the case...

Was it the dentist that gave you that impression? Where I worked they barely looked at their books and didnt realize how busy they actually were they would say to every patient that need treatment 'see you in a week or two' when they had no appointments for at least 3

WolfSong2000

alison999 wrote: »

Was it the dentist that gave you that impression? Where I worked they barely looked at their books and didnt realize how busy they actually were they would say to every patient that need treatment 'see you in a week or two' when they had no appointments for at least 3

No, it was the receptionist :rolleyes:

welshdent

WolfSong2000 wrote: »

I visited the Aberdeen practice purely as an emergency patient, and was informed I coudn't get root canal done with them - fine, no problem. I ring up English practice, they say yes it can be done if necessary. I had been in contact with them a month beforehand saying I needed treatment, but at that time nothing could be booked as I didn't know if/when I would be coming to England over Christmas.

My main issues with the dentist in England are as follows:

1) They charged me initially for a consultation which they would have known that they would be unable to see through as they were informed before I booked the initial appointment that I would be leaving for University. My initial consultation was delayed for so long that when I went to book an appointment for treatment I was told that there were none available before I went back to University.

2) Both times, the dentist I was was off-handish and failed (in my opinion, and going by the treatment I received in Aberdeen) to do a thorough examination.

3) English receptionist accused me of lying and making up an appointment that I had received over the phone from the practice a few weeks previously.

4). Was charged again for a check-up despite the fact that they hadn't been able to follow-up with the first course of treatment...if I hadn't warned them that I would be leaving for Aberdeen, then fair enough, but I gave them plenty of warning.

Point 1 - this is normal practice as an nhs practice. You are always charged for an examination always. Its either a band 1 course or band 4. Its the way it is. We are allowed to close that course off after a reasonable period of inactivity on the patients part. A guide is from 6 - 8 weeks. YOu may not have LIKED the exam but you had one carried out on you. Would expect the dentist to recieve no funding for seeing you, taking up clinic time just because you were leaving soon after? The course opens at examination not at commencement of active intervention. We can not leave a course of treatment open indefinately. THAT is the reason you were charged again. You first course of treatment was reasonably closed. When you returned for definitive treatment 2 months later you would have been charged for a band 2 which is not the same as being charged for a check up. It is being charged for another course of treatment. Only you would have known you could not complete treatment. dentists do not have a magic wand to make it all better there and then. An NHS practice is usually very busy seeing anywhere from 30 to 70 patients a day. You need to accept responsibilty for getting the time to complete work or not. Not blame the practice with which you would have simply been a name on a day list until you came in. Receptionists can not predict what you will need or when you will need it. I am sorry I just can not see why they have done anything wrong here as its pretty much the same as other practices. Why not delay a full check up until moving to scotland where you WOULD have time and are likely to be resident there for 3 or 4 years?
Thats should cover points 1 and 4

as for the other 2 points. If you dislike the dentists manner then dont go there. They wont be offended. The chances are if you just vanished in to the ether they wouldnt have even noticed.

Receptionists have a very difficult job to do and often suffer a great deal of verbal abuse. What happened between you 2 is only something you 2 can corroborate but I am sure you would get an appology for any upset caused in that respect. But I say again ... sounds to me like you were charged fairly and normally regardless of what the PCT say ... who have zero idea what your case happened like other than you phoning up and telling them a few things

WolfSong2000

Okay, maybe I'm not making myself particularly clear...when I initially went to the dentist, I said to the receptionist that I was a university student and would be returning to Scotland in September. I pointed out that it had been a while since I had last been to a dentist (my fault) and that I would most likely need some treatment done. I clarified before I booked the first check-up appointment that I would be able to receive at least some treatment before I went back to Uni (not expecting them to work miracles and I know NHS practices are busy). Was told this wouldn't be a problem.

Anyhow, after first consultation am told by dentist I need further treatment and to book an appointment - go to reception who say there's no appointments available. I was then contacted by the reception in November and explained that I had already had a consultation, but treatment hadn't gone ahead as I was back at Uni before any slots were available. Receptionist told me over the phone that I wouldn't have to pay again.

A few weeks later, once my flights to England are confirmed I ring them to book appointment. Am told I need another consultation, but after some discussion receptionist agrees to book another appointment (to avoid previous problem) so I can get treatment done. Get to dental practice and they have no record of the second appointment.

At no point was I verbally (or otherwise) abusive to the dentist or reception staff. While I may not enjoy the experience of visiting dentists, it has nothing to do with the dentist themself (except for the p*ick I had growing up), and as I have stated previously, the dentist I saw in Aberdeen was wonderful - really friendly and conducted a thorough examination. Unfortunatey I can't see this dentist for regular treatment as the practice isn't taking on new patients.

alison999

WolfSong2000 wrote: »

Okay, maybe I'm not making myself particularly clear...when I initially went to the dentist, I said to the receptionist that I was a university student and would be returning to Scotland in September. I pointed out that it had been a while since I had last been to a dentist (my fault) and that I would most likely need some treatment done. I clarified before I booked the first check-up appointment that I would be able to receive at least some treatment before I went back to Uni (not expecting them to work miracles and I know NHS practices are busy). Was told this wouldn't be a problem..

maybe it wasnt at that time, but they get booked up v. quickly especially if theyre taking on.

if the appointments arent there then theres nothing that they can do, unless you want to sit on someones knee:rolleyes:

maysmummy

Hi OP
You can make a complaint to the PCT if you choose. It does not mean that the PCT will back you up- their complaints department will investigate if asked but you could also talk to the practice directly or by letter. We here have only heard one version of the tale- not that I am suggesting that you are being disingenuous or anything- just that in the course of investigating complaints- which I do very regularly there is always more than one side to the story.
Susan