NHS Hygienist

brook2jack

public confidence in dentists is higher than for gps and MUCH higher than for politicians or journalists https://www.dentalhealth.org/news/details/640

The dispatches programme featured dentists who were not picked at random but had been under suspicion of gaming , so hardly a representative view see https://www.bda.org/news-centre/latest-news-articles/31837-dispatches-and-dentistry

This universal suspicion in the media and overwhelming negative reporting of dentistry is resulting in over regulation and making it a profession increasingly under enormous stresses http://www.gdpuk.com/news/latest-news/565-kevin-lewis-the-controls-are-out-of-control http://www.gdpuk.com/news/latest-news/2133-peter-ward-warns-jeremy-hunt-on-dentists-low-morale

mal4mac

brook2jack wrote: »

public confidence in dentists is higher than for gps...

That article says, "almost two in every three people not visiting the dentist for at least three years." Doesn't sound very trusting to me! I didn't visit mine for four years, largely due to lack of trust.

Was that 88% figure gained by polling at a dentist? Otherwise those figures make no sense.

For starters, two out of three people don't trust dentists *by definition* as dentists say all adults should have a checkup at least every two years (probably more frequently...)

The dispatches programme featured dentists who were not picked at random but had been under suspicion of gaming , so hardly a representative view see https://www.bda.org/news-centre/latest-news-articles/31837-dispatches-and-dentistry

That article doesn't say the dentists were not picked at random, and neither does the original dispatches page.

This universal suspicion in the media and overwhelming negative reporting...

It's not just media commenting about "gaming", there are a lot of disgruntled patients bringing this up in forums and on the Google & NHS feedback sites.

justme111

If any profession is placed in a situation where they have to feed with two loaves 200 people their public image and morale will be bad

brook2jack

The trust figure was by an independent communications company with an online poll quote
"Trust in GPs is slipping – the fact it’s so hard to see the same one every time you make an appointment might explain why a 2012 poll conducted by Bray Leino revealed twice as many people (19.7 per cent) value their relationship with their dentist over their doctor (9.9 per cent). The study found 88 per cent of people had a very high degree of trust in their dentist."

Do you think that not attending for four years has improved your dental health?

Sooner or later you are going to have to find a dentist you do trust and attend regularly. It is regular attendance with a dentist you trust that is going to get the treatment that is most appropriate for you.

Undervalued

brook2jack wrote: »

The trust figure was by an independent communications company with an online poll quote
"Trust in GPs is slipping – the fact it’s so hard to see the same one every time you make an appointment might explain why a 2012 poll conducted by Bray Leino revealed twice as many people (19.7 per cent) value their relationship with their dentist over their doctor (9.9 per cent). The study found 88 per cent of people had a very high degree of trust in their dentist."

I think a lot depends on what is meant by "trust".

I am not criticising dentists in particular but I find it amazing that any profession / trade would enjoy 88% "trust" these days. Surely people generally are far more questioning or everybody and everything than they used to be?

It is very easy with surveys to design a set of questions that lead the responder to the answer you want to hear.

brook2jack

Agreed, but it puts a different slant on the overwhelmingly negative press dentistry receives.

Most dentists enjoy the job and enjoy the interaction with people. But in a job , that after air traffic controller, is widely acknowledged to be one of the most stressful, the constant criticism and regulation can be very demoralising.

Trust doesn't mean you don't ask questions and are not informed , but it does mean that you have a good relationship with the professional . Being a professional means you have to put your patients interests before your own. However there is a limit to that and the NHS contract certainly stretches that limit beyond tolerance.

Being a professional rightly means there are very harsh penalties if you transgress ethical rules including criminal prosecution. These rules are far more strictly and frequently applied in the UK than anywhere else in the world including the US.


Dentistry is a very personal service and seeing a dentist you don't trust not only does you a disservice , it also puts them in an uncomfortable position. You would be better off for yourself and them seeing a dentist whose professionalism you trust. Part of that professionalism is giving you the information to make an informed decision about treatment but ultimately you have to put yourself in their hands.

mal4mac

Dr Anthony Halperin, a dentist and chairman of the Patients Association:

"There is evidence that a lot of the most complex work is not being carried out," he said. "It is easier and more profitable to take out a tooth and replace it with a denture than to carry out complex root canal surgery.... Dentists are working the system for them, not for the patients."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/2910989/Average-NHS-dentist-earns-six-figure-salary.html

When a leading dentist doesn't trust dentists why should the rest of us?

I can trust dentists to make sure I don't die of a tooth abscess, or to tell me if I have oral cancer, as I don't think they are in league with Dr Shipman. But I can't greatly trust them when a top dentist says they are likely to pull out my teeth, instead of doing a root canal, to make more money!

(OK pulling the tooth saves me from chronic pain, and maybe death, so I can't just totally avoid dentists.)

I will now visit my dentist on a more regular basis, to avoid a painful death, and I'll be pleasant to them, but my s**t detector will be turned to maximum, and I'll be insisting they stick to the NHS scales.

brook2jack

Do you really think the best way to secure a good working relationship with a dentist is to treat them like a criminal?

Would you not be better seeking a dentist who is recommended to you and attending regularly ?

You obviously need to make quite a few lifestyle changes because no matter how often you attend if you don't change what you are doing at home you will still have problems.

How likely are you to take advice about your oral health from someone you fundamentally don't trust?

Do you really want some one practicing defensive dentistry you eg Molar root treatment automatically referred to a specialist , even very simple extractions referred because they can't take the risk that something will not go to plan , and even for the best dentists sometimes things don't go to plan?

Your oral health needs really are best served by establishing a good relationship , long term, with a dentist, rather than only seeking help when in trouble.

mal4mac

brook2jack wrote: »

Do you really think the best way to secure a good working relationship with a dentist is to treat them like a criminal?

I will not be treating them like a criminal.

I can have a relationship with a "minor gamer".

For instance I would happily use a car mechanic again, who has shown skill at fixing my car, even if he kept quiet about his boss cheating at cards before I played him.

brook2jack wrote: »

Would you not be better seeking a dentist who is recommended to you and attending regularly ?

I've asked around, but I don't have any recommendations I can fully trust. Long term, I will certainly start looking at "best bets". I've already started. Another surgery nearby has an impressive receptionist, NHS fees on display, no hygienist ("dentist does it".) So I will try there next.

mal4mac

brook2jack wrote: »

Do you really think the best way to secure a good working relationship with a dentist is to treat them like a criminal?

I will not be treating them like a criminal.

I can have a good working relationship with a "minor gamer".

For instance I would happily use a car mechanic again, who has shown skill at fixing my car, even if he kept quiet about his boss cheating at cards before I played him.

brook2jack wrote: »

Would you not be better seeking a dentist who is recommended to you and attending regularly ?

I've asked around, but I don't have any recommendations I can fully trust. Long term, I will certainly start looking at "best bets". I've already started. Another surgery nearby has an impressive receptionist, NHS fees on display, no hygienist ("dentist does it".) So I will try there next.