Changed NHS Dentist - Different Treatment Plan

chaotic_j

Hi,

I had the same dentist for nearly 30 years but they have retired and I was given a new dentist who I have seen twice for check ups and not been happy with.

On my most recent visit, after x-rays I was advised I required fillings to teeth UR8, UL7 and UL8 the treatment plan shows the location on the teeth. I paid for Band 1 treatment with the difference between Band 1 and 2 due at the next appointment.

I cancelled the appointment I had booked and registered with another dental practice where I have paid the Band 1 fee again. I briefly mentioned I needed some work doing to my teeth and they carried out some more x-rays and gave my teeth a scale and polish.

I was happy with the new dentist but their treatment plan is for some different teeth.. UL6 and UL7 and misses out UR8 completely. It does not show the location on the teeth.

I have shone a light in my mouth and looked at UR8 in the mirror.. it has a cavity on the front which can't be missed and feels sensitive when touched.. how can this not require a filling?

The original dental practice dentist has been registered over 10 years whilst the new one only a 1.5 years.. what would you do in this situation? How should I know which treatment plan is correct? As in effect by going elsewhere for a number of reasons, I've ended up with a 'second opinion'.

Apart from the fact I've had my teeth scaled and polished, will the old dental practice know I've gone elsewhere? Will I still be registered with them as I have not yet asked them to de-register me?

Thanks in advance.

brook2jack

There is no such thing as registration in England and Wales for NHS dental practices. A practice is not obliged to see you unless you are under a course of treatment. Whether they see you again depends on capacity.

Scotland and NI there is registration and they will be notified you have gone elsewhere. It is then up to them if they will reregister you.

Give three dentists the same patient and you will get four different treatment plans. Many times a difference in treatment plans is a difference in opinion. Eg dentist A may look at early decay and decide to monitor it as early decay can reverse. Dentist B might decide to fill it as they think it has just gone beyond that stage or that your dental history makes this unlikely. Both options may be equally valid , there are no hard and fast rules for when a tooth may need filling when decay is in its early stages.

Also there can sometimes be some difference in charting 6,7 8 teeth as they can be difficult to differentiate if one is missing so one dentists charting ul7,ul8 could be exactly the same teeth that another dentist charts ul6,ul7

Most importantly whatever you decide to do about dentists you must make the changes to your diet and oral habits that are necessary to stop you needing more fillings.