NHS dentist in Scotland, advice sought please...

CKF1980

Hello,

I'm just after a bit of knowledge/insight into NHS dentists in Scotland.

I moved up to Scotland from England just as the pandemic began. As such, I haven't yet registered with a dentist but am now looking to do so. What I'd like to know is how comparable the service is to NHS dental services in England and whether I should use the NHS or go private.

For approximately 2 years prior to moving I was using a private dentist in England. Before that I went to an NHS dentist but the level of service was dwindling and it felt to me that any problems I had were either not being resolved at all, or taking a very long time to do so. I'm not blaming the dentist; I appreciate that it's the fault of a contract that doesn't work for neither patients nor dentists. I just don't want to be in a situation again whereby issues are diagnosed without an x-ray, or where I have to jump on a merry-go-round of having a filling 'fixed' by a dental 'therapist' but then having to battle to get to see a dentist again because the therapist is not qualified to diagnose the pain being felt while doing the filling.

I appreciate there is an element of getting what you pay for, but the pandemic has made finances a little tighter so if I can utilise the NHS dental services here then it would be helpful.

If anyone has any insight then I'd be truly gateful to hear from you.

Thanks

Torry_Quine

I can't compare to England but I'm very satisfied with my NHS dentist here in Scotland.
Like many they have a sign up for new patients to register with them.
This year I've lost count of my appointments. Needed a filling replaced and unfortunately the first twice it came out but this time it's stayed in. Have had x-rays too. Next month I'm getting a crown.
The practice is private too but I've never been pushed into private treatment

CKF1980

Torry_Quine said:

I can't compare to England but I'm very satisfied with my NHS dentist here in Scotland.
Like many they have a sign up for new patients to register with them.
This year I've lost count of my appointments. Needed a filling replaced and unfortunately the first twice it came out but this time it's stayed in. Have had x-rays too. Next month I'm getting a crown.
The practice is private too but I've never been pushed into private treatment

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate your comments and you sharing your experience with me.

Gers

I had to have private treatment at the height of the pandemic as that couldn't be helped.  Apart from that the only times I've had private treatment is when I've asked for it.  Right now it's for dental implants, beforehand it was to replace very old crowns for cosmetic reasons as they won't have been replaced on NHS despite being at least  30 years old.

My time in England was comparable, again, only private treatment when I've asked for it.

CKF1980

Gers said:

I had to have private treatment at the height of the pandemic as that couldn't be helped.  Apart from that the only times I've had private treatment is when I've asked for it.  Right now it's for dental implants, beforehand it was to replace very old crowns for cosmetic reasons as they won't have been replaced on NHS despite being at least  30 years old.

My time in England was comparable, again, only private treatment when I've asked for it.

Appreciate that, thankyou.