Dental advice required

tootytots

It's not 2:30 (tooth-hurty) yet but I visited my dentist last week and he suggested I get some treatment. My situation is this:

I live in an area with a lack of NHS Dentists. I'm sure many people around the country are in the same situation here. My private dentist has recommended removal of a crown to investigate a possible infection in the root of a molar tooth. It could involve root canal treatment :eek:

The estimated cost of this treatment (privately) could be in the region of £800.00. Obviously I am looking to reduce this cost in any way I can.

I would love to have this done on the NHS. Can I just march into an NHS practice and demand to be seen? Isn't this a right we all have, having paid into the system all our lives?

Help please.... any advice would be gratefully received.

Much appreciated

Sue

Moonbeam

Not sure what the answer is but you can try looking at https://www.direct.gov.uk for advice about dentistry. Just look under healthcare.

Toothsmith

Your best bet is to ring up your local PCT and ask where you can be seen on the NHS.

A dentist with an NHS contract now doesn't have any 'registered' patients any more. The only ones he has responsibility for are the ones currently under treatment. This is supposedly to give greater 'access'.

In reality, the new system is a complete c*ck-up, and access is worse than ever.

This is one of those 'be careful what you wish for...' things.

If you were seen on the NHS, my bet is the treatment plan would be just to extract the tooth. If you wanted it saved, I would guess the 'NHS' dentist would offer this as a private option, and you'd end up paying as much as you would have done at your regular dentist.

If you are happy with everything other than the cost at your present dentist, I would stick with it. Better the devil you know...!

There is a reason NHS dentistry is cheaper!!

LondonDiva

tootytots wrote:

Can I just march into an NHS practice and demand to be seen? Isn't this a right we all have, having paid into the system all our lives?

No.

You can however, go into an NHS practice and (whether or not you've paid into the system) politely ask them to make you an appointment.

AS toothsmith has suggested, ring your local PCT or (one close to work) and ask for a list of NHS dentists. You may also want to check if they can tell you any with a large contract, as so close to the end of the financial year many are about to use up their quota, and these may be your best bet.

Zara33

tootytots wrote:

It's not 2:30 (tooth-hurty) yet but I visited my dentist last week and he suggested I get some treatment. My situation is this:

I live in an area with a lack of NHS Dentists. I'm sure many people around the country are in the same situation here. My private dentist has recommended removal of a crown to investigate a possible infection in the root of a molar tooth. It could involve root canal treatment :eek:

The estimated cost of this treatment (privately) could be in the region of £800.00. Obviously I am looking to reduce this cost in any way I can.

I would love to have this done on the NHS. Can I just march into an NHS practice and demand to be seen? Isn't this a right we all have, having paid into the system all our lives?

Help please.... any advice would be gratefully received.

Much appreciated

Sue

You have no right to demand treatment whether NHS or private, i also think you will be very lucky to get on to a NHS dental list as these are very long and some people wait years.

Robin_T_Cox

You are indeed entitled to NHS treatment at standard rates, which may well be cheaper than private rates, provided that you can find an NHS dentist who will take you on.

For more information, see:

http://www.nhs.uk/England/Dentists/Default.aspx