Dentist delay

Crisp_£_note

Hi I am after some advice really as I dont know whats best to do.

First though I must point out that my old dentist retired end of last year (2010) and sold his practice to a private dentist. Therefore since then the service and attitiude has changed consideerably. Infact so much so I am considering leaving. Nothing was too much trouble for my old dentist and he always helped in a toothache emergency. I know I am not the only one who feels this way, a lot of people have left and my MIL and Hubby who also use the same dentist also have had enough of their no care attitud. Trouble is finding another NHS dentist !!

A week ago I developed toothache and rang my dentist who booked me an appointment today (a week later) despite me saying I had toothache.

I persevered with it over last weekend and after a couple of interupted nights and painful days I rang the dentist again on Monday morning and explained it was really bad pain and I couldnt wait another week.

The dentist receptionist then told me they didnt do toothache ! They dont have emergency appointments and the earliest they had was Friday. I asked for advice and she couldnt really offer any, other than to keep calling back to see if there were any cancellations during the week.

I rang again Monday afternoon and was told they had a cancellation for Wednesday but it was just a 5 - 10 minuite appointment so the dentist wouldnt be able to do any work so not worth swapping.

I rang again Tuesday morning and still no cancellations. I told the receptionist I was now in a lot more pain, having sleepless nights (not just intermittent sleep) with pain and getting hot. I asked heer for advice and she told gave me a number of another dentist to call and see if I could get in there.

I rang the other dentist, explained everything, but they had no appointments available. They suggested I call the local hospital emergency dentist. I did but they are closed until the evening. I know I am in a lot of pain but I really dont want to go to the A&E dentist. I have heared they are like butchers in this area and well obviously would rather wait to see my dentist. So have sat it out.
I have been ringing my dentist every day almost for the past week (sometimes twice a day) and still didnt get an appointment.
The only other thing I could think of was to get an emergency appointment at another practice (who I saw an ad for in the local newspaper) who are private and quoted me £152 for an emergancy appointment earlier this week ! Something I cant afford

Today finally arrived and I my appointment was at 12:10pm - the dentists rang me this morning at 7:50am and left a message on the answermachine to inform me they have a water leak so have had to cancel my appointment. They did ask me to call them back to rebook it but I may have difficulty getting through as the electric may be turned off meaning the computers are down (or something preventing them answering) and apologised for any inconveinience !

I tried to call them back but the phone just rings and rings and nobody answers.

Now I realise theres no point in getting angry over this too much, after all a water leak is beyond anyones needs or control, but you can imagine the mood I was in and the stress levels this morning. Im still in pain but now it comes and goes so not sure if the tooth is getting better or not. Theres still swelling there and I think its an abcess as I have had several before with the same problem tooth.


What do I do now ? Can I complain (is it worth it)?

brook2jack

Unfortunately as an n h s patient since 2006 you are no longer registered with a practice unless you are in the middle of a course of treatment. Toothaches are the responsibility of the p c t who will run clinics. They will get you out of pain and then you can look for another dentist who suits you better.

Crisp_£_note

brook2jack wrote: »

Unfortunately as an n h s patient since 2006 you are no longer registered with a practice unless you are in the middle of a course of treatment. Toothaches are the responsibility of the p c t who will run clinics. They will get you out of pain and then you can look for another dentist who suits you better.

Thanks, how do I find out my local PCT clinic is ? My Dr's receptionist refered me back to my dentist as doctors dont do teeth! Feels like I am going round in circles and the stress isnt helping stop the grinding of teeth.

Toothsmith

As you say, a water leak is beyond anyone's control.

BUT - the rest of it seems to be completely rubbish customer service.

If tis place is private anyway - then why not just look around at other private practices and see what else you could get for the money.

brook2jack

Phone the pct toe number will be in the phone book or phone nhs direct as often you will need an appointment made. Ts I think this is a n h s practice. Just owned by an individual rather than a company.

Crisp_£_note

Thanks.

It was an NHS practice which has gone private in last 6 months or so as my old dentist retired and sold on, they kept old patience on when it got transferred so do some NHS still hence why I am still retained by then and stay with them (for now at least).

I cant afford to go private so need NHS.

I actualy feel it may be getting better as it been so long but if I could get a course of antibiotics just to give it one last kick and to help the ache and tension in the jaw that would help. The off the shelf painkillers arnt working very well anymore after a week.

Toothsmith

Crisp_£_note wrote: »

I cant afford to go private so need NHS.

I would still look around.

It's not all megabucks.

You can find some very reasonable fees at private practices.

Go and visit a few and get some fee guides.

People tend to see some of the prices quoted in the media and think all private dental practices operate at the same levels. They don't.

In the same way as you get really expensive swanky resturants, and cheaper good value bistros - there is a whole range of very good dental practices out there operating at all sorts of fee levels.

But you need to take time to look.

Either way, a place that keeps you waiting like that' in pain, is not the place you want to have - Private or NHS.