Right to NHS dental x-ray for second opinion

Undervalued

I'd be grateful for some advice.

I recently had an X-Ray taken by my new NHS dentist. I want to seek a second opinion before following (or not) his proposed treatment. Am I entitled to the film (it wasn't digital) to save the cost and radiation involved in having it re-done by the private practice I'm intending to consult?

If they disagree with the NHS dentist's proposed treatment can I insist he follows their advice? Or, must I discontinue treatment and seek another NHS dentist or pay privately?

If the 2nd opinion confirms the NHS dentist's views is it realistic to return to him or will I have effectively destroyed our working relationship?

Thanks.

Toothsmith

You can't insist that one dentist follows a treatment plan that he doesn't feel to be right.

There is rarely just one 'right' way to do anything, but there are options and possibilities, each with their own pros & cons, plus, different dentists have different experiences and skills, which would make them favour one approach over another.

In fact, it would be more of a surprise if you saw two dentists, and they agreed!

As for x-rays, they are part of your clinical records, and although the dentist should give you copies of them if you request them, you have no right to the originals, and you would be expected to pay a reasonable fee for getting them copied.

Toothsmith

Oh - I often find a digital photo of the x.ray, taken on the light box is a decent way to transfer them

Undervalued

Toothsmith wrote: »

Oh - I often find a digital photo of the x.ray, taken on the light box is a decent way to transfer them

Yes.

Ironically I've probably worked with more X-Rays over the years than the average dentist - although in a completely different, non medical, field. Perhaps I should take a camera along!

Any views on the last paragraph of my original post?

Thanks.

Toothsmith

It depends how diplomatic you can be with your original dentist!

welshdent

Also even if you took the original doesnt mean the 2nd dentist wouldnt want to take one of their own. Different angles and film positioning could show up different things.

brook2jack

What worries me is from your previous postings you have seen another private dentist, had an assessment and x rays , not so long ago, you have now seen a nhs dentist and now , presumably , are thinking of seeing yet another private dentist for an opinion.

Have any if these dentists been recommended to you?

As I posted on your previous thread the nature of dentistry is sooner or later you have to find a dentist you trust and stick with them.

Dentistry is not like engineering there can be many equally valid right treatment plans for the same patient. Different dentists will approach things in different ways there is rarely just one right way to treat someone.

Dentistry in the end is one area where you do have to trust in the dentist. X rays have their limitations being just a snap shot of a millisecond of the hard tissues of a living , unpredictable reactive organism . You often do not know the whole story until you drill a tooth.

You need to put your energies into finding a recommended dentist you trust , nhs or private, rather than trying various people out by a trial and error method and trying to double check treatment plans to get reassurance.

Undervalued

brook2jack wrote: »

What worries me is from your previous postings you have seen another private dentist, had an assessment and x rays , not so long ago, you have now seen a nhs dentist and now , presumably , are thinking of seeing yet another private dentist for an opinion.

Have any if these dentists been recommended to you?

As I posted on your previous thread the nature of dentistry is sooner or later you have to find a dentist you trust and stick with them.

Dentistry is not like engineering there can be many equally valid right treatment plans for the same patient. Different dentists will approach things in different ways there is rarely just one right way to treat someone.

Dentistry in the end is one area where you do have to trust in the dentist. X rays have their limitations being just a snap shot of a millisecond of the hard tissues of a living , unpredictable reactive organism . You often do not know the whole story until you drill a tooth.

You need to put your energies into finding a recommended dentist you trust , nhs or private, rather than trying various people out by a trial and error method and trying to double check treatment plans to get reassurance.

I appreciate your response and your concern. However, in your first paragraph at least, you are putting two and two together and making five!. The situation is not as you seem to imagine and separate from the issues we discussed before.

I wish I could get a strong recommendation from a local trusted friend. Frankly nobody I know locally seems very happy with their current dentist, NHS or private which, in itself, hardly inspires confidence! One or two others are happier but they are further than I want to travel.

So, yes I would like assurance that the proposed treatment is appropriate and have the opportunity to explore if better is available privately. For my own piece of mind I'm willing to pay a fee for that. I'm simply trying to find out what my rights are and if I'm likely to create an unworkable situation by exercising them.

With all respect to the concept of "trust me I'm a doctor" it is my body, my mind and my money.

Undervalued

welshdent wrote: »

Also even if you took the original doesnt mean the 2nd dentist wouldnt want to take one of their own. Different angles and film positioning could show up different things.

Well that would be fine if they felt it necessary. They would then have the benefit of two or more angles to study.