Can I keep the same dentist when I move?

Fran

It was the other way round for me, I followed my dentist as he tried to get away four times! In the end I live not far from him anyway, but if you've got a good one hang on to them! The alternative the first time he moved was the other dentist who reminded me of Margaret Thatcher. :eek:

Toothsmith

Gingham_Ribbon wrote: »

thanks everyone. I may not mention we're moving...is that terrible?

It's really up to the dentist if he carries on seeing you or not. There's no reason why he shouldn't, unless he is NHS, and feels deeply about looking after his local community.

I would ask his policy generally, as you could say that there was a possibility you MIGHT be moving, and see what his answer is.

Remember that as well as address, your phone number will change, unless you just give him a mobile.

One of the problems of seeing patients who have to travel is what happens if an extended course of treatment becomes necessary.

It may seem OK to pop along twice a year for check-ups, but what if you have a toothache, or have a check up and need a couple of fillings? If he says 'make another appointment' and you say 'can you do them now so I don't have to travel 60mls back again?' Your cover is blown!!:D

I would say the vast majority of dentists wouldn't mind looking after a long-standing patient - who they knew to be low-maintenance - if they moved a little way away.

If you accept that there may be times when it will be inconvienient, and agree that it's unacceptable to put pressure on the dentist to do things he feels he doesn't have time for - just to save yourself another trip - then there's no reason why a long-distance relationship shouldn't work.

Oh - and if the dentist had to cancel some patients by letter as he's booked himself on a course, or taking a holiday, and you're one of them, but turn up because you've not given your new address, How will you feel??!!

Gingham_Ribbon

All good points. Thanks, toothsmith. We're not going to be so far away that travelling would be a problem. And we're both in a position where we dont' have to worry about when we can take time off work - we can fit the rest of what we do round this sort of thing.

The best way is to be honest if we can and that would obviously avoid the kind of problem you raise too. I'll try to find out what their policy would be by telling them we're thinking of moving. Deceit makes me very uncomfortable. But DH is the one with problem teeth. He would probably prefer I keep my mouth shut so he doesn't have to do so literally!

wishiwasarichgirl

I moved from northern ireland to england over 5 years ago and am still registered with my dentist back home (i tried registering here when i moved but there was an 18 month waiting list and I was only supposed to be here for a year, and just never bothered since.)

I go home 2-3 times a year so just get mum to book me a check up now and then. They still have my my mums address for me so she gets my reminders, although they know i live in England, but have never said it was a problem.

The only time it may have been a problem is when my wisdom teeth were playing up and my dentist wanted to refer me to have them removed, obviously the usual hospital he refers to is Belfast, not exactly handy for me in suffolk, but he offered to send a referral letter to an orthodontic surgeon over here if i found out a name and address of one & let him know.

LondonDiva

You can get treatment with any NHS dentist you wish. The only criteria is if they have a budget left to treat patient.

You need to remember that there is no longer a patient 'registration' like with GPs, you are actually only an NHS dentist's patient for the course of a particular treatment and start the relationship over again with each new treatment.

in short, if they've got an NHS contract & you've not been abusive, missed appointments or generally been an evil patient or the relationship's broken down, you can live in Devon and be seen by a dentist in Newcastle.:)

Toothsmith

LondonDiva wrote: »

... & you've not been abusive, missed appointments or generally been an evil patient or the relationship's broken down,

So that's hardly anyone then!!!

kr15snw

Wait? You have to move doctors when you move house? Im looking at moving to my boyfriends and have been with my doctor since I was a kid! Dont want to leave her! Will be moving about 10 miles away.

Savvy_Sue

You may not HAVE to move doctors, but the doctor may not want to keep you on their books if you are now 'out of area'. Depends how full their lists are, I guess.

suki1964

kr15snw wrote: »

Wait? You have to move doctors when you move house? Im looking at moving to my boyfriends and have been with my doctor since I was a kid! Dont want to leave her! Will be moving about 10 miles away.

When I moved house I became out of area but i wanted to stay with the GP I was with as a) it was convenient for work and I had ongoing health problems for which i was getting great support from the GP

So I had to sign agreeing that i would not ring the surgery to be looking for a call out visit which was ok with me as I lived within a mile of an AE dept if things were that serious Id go there.

I think this is really why they like you to change GP,s, in case of call outs, Gps cant be expected to travel 10 miles to visit one patient