Teeth problem and no dentist

comping_cat

We need to find an NHS dentist (myself and 2 children, we also have an exemption certificate) but we cannot find one at all. Looked on that website, and all dentists in our area, even the Plymouth teaching hospital practices are not taking on any new NHS patients, fee paying or otherwise!!!!

sam151266

I have the same problem,(my dog knocked my front tooth out, the other 1 is loose, infact out of the 16 teeth I have,1 loose, 6 are filled 3 need fillings 4 are crowns, 2 are ok.) there is no Nhs dentist in my area. I have rang Nhs direct, they couldnt help me. In the end I went to my doctors because I am plagued with infections and begged him for a referral to harrogate hospital dentistry dept I have a dentist phobio and wanted all my teeth taken out and replaced with falsies. I am only 40 and this is a bad state to be in. I am depressed darent smile at anyone, in fact I avoid going out. Here is a quote from the letter I received,
Thank you for referring this patient for a dental clearance. I note that she is unable to find an NHS dentist in Ripon. Before I see this patient, it is imperative that she is assessed in the correct setting which would be within the primary care sector and she should see a dentist. I am therefore, not accepting this referral.
I have tried every avenue that I can think of and I am even more p****d off now, sick of crying in fact.

Regards,
Sam

Toothsmith

Harrogate has an oral surgery department, not a 'dentistry' department.

They could do the G.A. extractions if they considered it appropriate, but they don't then provide a denture.

The Oral surgeon did exactly the right thing. Unless you have a dentist to make the dentures afterwards, there is no way that the treatment can be completed.

I think your main problem is your phobia.

Have you been in touch with North Yorkshire PCT? What was their response?

mioliere

You should get in touch with your PCT (the Primary Care Trust -the local health authority) and ask them what you can do. According to the new dental contract which came into force last April, NHS dentists are supposed to be taking on patients consistently so ask the PCT to find you one. If they do not help - even though they should - you should keep trying the local dentists; it's worth phoning various NHS dentists once a week - I know it's time consuming - but, with any luck, you'll find one that happens to have a few spaces on their list. When I was a dental nurse, every so often we would open up our lists because some patients had left the practice for one reason or another. Good luck - I hope you find one soon! No-one should have to go without proper dental treatment considering we are supposed to be the fourth largest economy in the world.

sam151266

Thanks for your replies I will get in touch with the PCT.

sam151266

I have just sent an email to the PCT told them everthing. I will let you know what happens. Thanks for your support.

LondonDiva

catowen wrote: »

We need to find an NHS dentist (myself and 2 children, we also have an exemption certificate) but we cannot find one at all. Looked on that website, and all dentists in our area, even the Plymouth teaching hospital practices are not taking on any new NHS patients, fee paying or otherwise!!!!

outside M25 Geography is not one of my strong points, so not sure if you are in plymouth http://www.plymouth-pct.nhs.uk/, torbay http://www.torbaycaretrust.nhs.uk/ or Teignbridge http://www.devonpct.nhs.uk/

If it's Plymouth there seems to be a shortage (info not updated since Jan last year though) and they have a contact:

The PCT runs a service for patients who do not have a regular dentist and are in pain at the Dental Access Centre, 1a Baring Street, Plymouth. PL4 8NF. Appointments can be made by telephoning 0845 155 8070.

People wishing to be placed on the PCTs dental database for patients wanting to access an NHS dentist should write to the following FREEPOST address giving their name, address and postcode, daytime telephone number and date of birth:

Plymouth PCT
FREEPOST
NAT 22278
Plymouth
PL6 5ZQ

Plymouth PCT will write to you when a place with an NHS dentist becomes available. We are unable to give you an exact timescale as to when this will be but it is hoped that places will be allocated within the next 12 months. All places will be allocated through the PCT on a first come, first served basis.

Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS) details fo rthe PCT is: 01752 211818

You can also do a search on http://www.nhs.uk/England/Dentists/NearestSearch.aspx with your postcode and ring the practices identified. Bear in mind that they may not have updated the list either side so ring the PCT there are any problems.

Toothsmith

sam151266 wrote: »

I have just sent an email to the PCT told them everthing. I will let you know what happens. Thanks for your support.

A good first step, but bear in mind it's Easter, and answering emails may not be the top priority at the moment!

Ringing them up might have been a better idea, but it's often the behaviour of the phobic - either consciously or unconciously - to go for the option that is least likely to get a response.

If you've not heard from them by the middle of next week, then get on the phone.

Don't be tempted to talk yourself into the idea that "I contacted the PCT but they couldn't help me" just because they didn't reply to your email.

Good luck.

comping_cat

Thank you, LondonDiva - yes we are in Plymouth area, so i will def be writing to them.

LondonDiva

catowen wrote: »

Thank you, LondonDiva - yes we are in Plymouth area, so i will def be writing to them.

Give their PALS or the dental team a call on the above numbers and see what the situation is like now... you may want to gently ask them to update the website with any new info.