NHS dentist questions about fillings

Andy595

I went to the dentist and was told I would need to go back the following week as I'll need several filling. I have gone today and told that I need 5 fillings and one crown, 2 on each side at the bottom, the crown on the top left and the other filling on the top right. He said he was unable to do them all that day and just done the 2 at the bottom left and filled the rest with temporary fillings.

The issues I have is she said I'd have to come back in 2-3 months and do one quarter of my mouth at I time. I'm wondering if this is just so they'd get more money?

But the bigger issue I am having is that after my meal tonight (burrito) alot of one of the temporary fillings have already come out as it's impossible not to chew with them as they are on both sides of my mouth. Are they going to be able to last the 11 weeks to my next appointment?

Thanks

brook2jack

Phone up your dentist in the morning and explain about your temporary filling. Only they will know if the temporary coming out will be a problem.

I presume you have a form detailing what treatment needs doing and how much it will cost?

In Scotland and NI it will make no difference how much the dentist will be paid.

In England if you are on one of the pilot schemes they are not allowed to do certain treatments until cleaning and decay are under control.

Under the NHS dental contract dentists are monitored closely to make sure they do not "split " courses of treatment. However if you need long appointments and they need to be at a certain time you may be waiting a long time in between treatments.

Andy595

Thanks for the reply, I am based in England but I didn't get a form detailing my future treatments, I'll ask about one when j phone up tomorrow. I am not sure about the pilot scheme? I am a NHS
patient though.

My dentist did say it would take about a year for all the work to be done, coming back every 2-3 months. Would that mean if get new temporary fillings each time?

brook2jack

Every NHS dental patient should be given , when they need treatment , a FP17dc which details what treatment they need and how much it will cost. You need to ask for this if it has not been given.

You also need to ask what your appointments are for so you know when you are having temporary fillings and when you are having permanent fillings , crown preparation etc.

Spoonie_Turtle

brook2jack wrote: »

Every NHS dental patient should be given , when they need treatment , a FP17dc which details what treatment they need and how much it will cost. You need to ask for this if it has not been given.

Never, ever heard of this before! Good to know

Andy595

Ok, I asked about the treatment plan and they said the dentist hasn't made one yet, but would email it when's done. Instead the following day my dentist called me and told me the rough prices and said I won't need a treatment plan as she wants to check on the health of my mouth before committing to the next work that needs completing. So I have an appointment to see her at the end of December.

Does this all sound alright?

Also as a follow up question, is the temporary fillings I can buy from chemists good enough to use until then as i can't afford to keep taking days off to go to the dentist.

Toothsmith

I wouldn't be doing stuff like that to your own teeth. Get back in to see her. Especially if you're not being seen again until December. I'd be surprised if a filling you squashed in yourself from that stuff would last that long - but if, by some miracle it did, and it hadn't been shaped nicely to clear the gum (Which you wouldn't have a hope of doing with no proper tools, access or visibility) Then it could do quite a bit of harm to the gum in 3 months.

Get in to see her.

DUTR

Andy595 wrote: »

I went to the dentist and was told I would need to go back the following week as I'll need several filling. I have gone today and told that I need 5 fillings and one crown, 2 on each side at the bottom, the crown on the top left and the other filling on the top right. He said he was unable to do them all that day and just done the 2 at the bottom left and filled the rest with temporary fillings.

The issues I have is she said I'd have to come back in 2-3 months and do one quarter of my mouth at I time. I'm wondering if this is just so they'd get more money?

But the bigger issue I am having is that after my meal tonight (burrito) alot of one of the temporary fillings have already come out as it's impossible not to chew with them as they are on both sides of my mouth. Are they going to be able to last the 11 weeks to my next appointment?

Thanks

The bill will be whatever band C is nowadays.
You probably have more going on orally hence the wait and see approach.