Teeth problem and no dentist

~Chameleon~

I desparately need to see a dentist as the majority of my back teeth are either cracked or broken, some almost down to nothing but the root, but have been unable to find an NHS dentist to take me on for over 5 years now :mad:

A few months ago I saw a dentist advertising in the local paper that they were taking on NHS patients so I called them and they asked me to call in and pick up an application form, which I did the very next day, only to be told that I then needed to call a mobile phone number (between 5-6pm on a Wednesday) to make an appointment and to bring in the completed application form.

I tried to call this number numerous times, for several weeks, only to find the mobile phone was actually switched off, and calling the surgery itself was no use as they said I need to call this mobile number!

Is this normal practice?

I've now found the surgery has closed it's list again but I wonder whether they actually did take on any patients!!! :mad:

Toothsmith

sistersis wrote: »

I had a bridge at the bottom right hand side and one of the teeth cracked.
My dentist took this out and has fitted me with dentures!!
I was so shocked as I didn't realise I was going to have thse.
Anyway I went home with them and found that I just could not have this grat big gum shie/plate thing in my mouth so went back and told hom.
He then made this smaller and am gong to pick it up this week.
My first question is do I actually need them as I have teeth at the top but he did say that these would eventually grow down to meet the gum at the bottom as there is nothing there to bite on!
How long would that take and if I could have inplants how much would this cost.
I have heard you can go abroad but what do other people feel about this.
I have 3 children so im not rich but would like to be confident when tallkkng and smiling
Any help would be gladly received

Your dentist shouldn't do anything without your 'informed consent'. You should always know exactly what treatment you are having.

Unfortunately, NHS dentistry generally has to be provided at 100mph and little details do get left by the wayside.

Implants generally work out at about £2000 per tooth. Yes you can get them done abroad - but this is quite involved surgery we are talking about here, and like anything when dealing with people, it doesn't go 100% right 100% of the time. Not in any country. And who would look after it when it's done? The 100mph NHS dentist? Regular trips back to the original country? A private dentist in this country may not wish to take over the responsibility for it - especially if it's an implant system no popular or licensed in this country.

Going abroad may cause more problems than it solves.

I would find a dentist in this country that you are happy with and talk about all the possible treatment options available to you.

Toothsmith

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

I desparately need to see a dentist as the majority of my back teeth are either cracked or broken, some almost down to nothing but the root, but have been unable to find an NHS dentist to take me on for over 5 years now :mad:

A few months ago I saw a dentist advertising in the local paper that they were taking on NHS patients so I called them and they asked me to call in and pick up an application form, which I did the very next day, only to be told that I then needed to call a mobile phone number (between 5-6pm on a Wednesday) to make an appointment and to bring in the completed application form.

I tried to call this number numerous times, for several weeks, only to find the mobile phone was actually switched off, and calling the surgery itself was no use as they said I need to call this mobile number!

Is this normal practice?

I've now found the surgery has closed it's list again but I wonder whether they actually did take on any patients!!! :mad:

PCTs are in fear of the wrath of Downing Street if a 'queue' for a dentist appears on their patch.

Therefore they do whatever they can to prevent loads of patients turning up at dental practices to sign on!

It does get quite ridiculous at times.

The dentist is probably fed up of the beaurocratic control the PCT has over who and who can't come and see him (After all, it is his business, and it's his name on the bank loans!) and so set up that little mobile phone dodge.

The best way to get on the list of an NHS dentist is to go via the PCT.

Ring up your local PCT and ask where you can get NHS dentistry.

Alternatively, look around the private sector. There are dental practices operating at all sorts of price points. Some not that much more than NHS prices.

Worth looking around, and having a direct relationship with the service provider rather than all this secret squirrel boll*cks!