Can't find any NHS dentist - need dental treatment ASAP

Huis

Hi everyone,

I've recently been to my dentist and was told I need 2 fillings (quite large cavities) and a root canal done as part of a filling has has come out. She told me she can't do it for me as she currently has a waiting list of 7 Months and advised me too look for a different dentist. I have called up the NHS helpline and there currently aren't any dentists taking on NHS patients in the whole of Sussex. I checked the prices of a private dentist but a root canal alone starts at £600 which I can't afford. Was told by 111 that the emergency dentist would only do half a root canal (take the nerve out to take the pain away) and then you'd still have to see a dentist to finish off the job. On top of that, I can't really have amalgam fillings due to migraines and a lot of dentists are being difficult about that too, saying they don't do white fillings (however, when phoning 111 the lady told me you can have a white filling on the NHS, you just have to pay a 'private price' for it)

Any advise greatly appreciated I have no idea where to go to get dental work done now

Sandtree

Looking at Eastbourne on the NHS site there are at least 4 dentists saying they are taking new adult patients of which a couple last updated their status at the end of June. 

Huis

I've checked the 'find an nhs dentist' website but it seems outdated -  I've phoned all the ones near me and they are not taking anyone on. I don't drive and Eastbourne would be well over 1,5 hour by public transport for me.

Toothsmith

The NHS dentists website isn't updated by the dentists. It's updated by the NHS - and generally bears no resemblance to what is going on on the ground.

To be blunt, NHS dentistry is a complete mess at the moment. Politicians putting even more pressure than normal on the budget, and dentists leaving in droves, as it's just not possible to stay in the system and keep a practice running.

strawb_shortcake

Do you have a dental hospital you can be referred to? My friend had to pay almost £2000 for a root canal by going privately so I'd definitely want that as a last resort 

Sandtree

Toothsmith said:

The NHS dentists website isn't updated by the dentists. It's updated by the NHS - and generally bears no resemblance to what is going on on the ground.

Not sure who updates it but each one has a date against it and some say they've not had any recent updates. Would seem odd if it weren't the dentists indirectly updating it and why NHS would choose to update different ones at different times (and even say some dont have any recent updates) if they are doing it independent of the practices.

Huis said:

I've checked the 'find an nhs dentist' website but it seems outdated -  I've phoned all the ones near me and they are not taking anyone on. I don't drive and Eastbourne would be well over 1,5 hour by public transport for me.

Can only go by the fact you had said the whole of Sussex and so went for the most obvious town to choose. 

Toothsmith

It is odd - but it's not the dentists.

I know of several who are fed up of their phones being tied up because NHS website says they're taking on NHS patients, but they're not. What's most frustrating is that when they contact their NHS area team - no-one there seems to know who updates it either! 

KxMx

Appreciate that you don't drive but if you can get NHS treatment further afield then that's better than not at all.

You could always look into getting a cheap hotel/air b&b place if it's too far to go there, get treatment and come home all in the same day.

I am in a similar boat, non driver can't find an NHS dentist locally for a dental injury which isn't an emergency. Tried 111 as well as ringing multiple places.
I'm going to try the two towns an hour away by bus and if no joy there i'm basically resigned to going to a private dentist who offers 0% finance.
Not ideal when my income is Universal Credit but if that is the only solution, it's the only solution.

Undervalued

Huis said:

Hi everyone,

I've recently been to my dentist and was told I need 2 fillings (quite large cavities) and a root canal done as part of a filling has has come out. She told me she can't do it for me as she currently has a waiting list of 7 Months and advised me too look for a different dentist. I have called up the NHS helpline and there currently aren't any dentists taking on NHS patients in the whole of Sussex. I checked the prices of a private dentist but a root canal alone starts at £600 which I can't afford. Was told by 111 that the emergency dentist would only do half a root canal (take the nerve out to take the pain away) and then you'd still have to see a dentist to finish off the job. On top of that, I can't really have amalgam fillings due to migraines and a lot of dentists are being difficult about that too, saying they don't do white fillings (however, when phoning 111 the lady told me you can have a white filling on the NHS, you just have to pay a 'private price' for it)

Any advise greatly appreciated I have no idea where to go to get dental work done now

I wonder if this dentist is being naughty and trying to duck out of doing the root canal?

NHS dentists are paid by a complex formula, not remotely connected to the band fees they collect on the government's behalf. Although root canals are included in a Band 2 treatment, providing they are reasonably straightforward, the dentist loses a significant amount of money by doing one. So there is a temptation to either claim it is beyond their capability and equipment or find some other way of avoiding the issue!

If that can be proved to be the case (and it may or may not be) the dentist could get into serious trouble.

Toothsmith

Undervalued said:

Huis said:

Hi everyone,

I've recently been to my dentist and was told I need 2 fillings (quite large cavities) and a root canal done as part of a filling has has come out. She told me she can't do it for me as she currently has a waiting list of 7 Months and advised me too look for a different dentist. I have called up the NHS helpline and there currently aren't any dentists taking on NHS patients in the whole of Sussex. I checked the prices of a private dentist but a root canal alone starts at £600 which I can't afford. Was told by 111 that the emergency dentist would only do half a root canal (take the nerve out to take the pain away) and then you'd still have to see a dentist to finish off the job. On top of that, I can't really have amalgam fillings due to migraines and a lot of dentists are being difficult about that too, saying they don't do white fillings (however, when phoning 111 the lady told me you can have a white filling on the NHS, you just have to pay a 'private price' for it)

Any advise greatly appreciated I have no idea where to go to get dental work done now

I wonder if this dentist is being naughty and trying to duck out of doing the root canal?

NHS dentists are paid by a complex formula, not remotely connected to the band fees they collect on the government's behalf. Although root canals are included in a Band 2 treatment, providing they are reasonably straightforward, the dentist loses a significant amount of money by doing one. So there is a temptation to either claim it is beyond their capability and equipment or find some other way of avoiding the issue!

If that can be proved to be the case (and it may or may not be) the dentist could get into serious trouble.

Unlikely in this case @Undervalued

They've done the emergency 'first aid' procedure - which is what NHS managers are directing NHS contracted dentists to spend their time doing - and it's quite believable with the way it's being run at the moment that there won't be any treatment slots long enough to do a proper root canal for a fair while. 

If they wanted to get out of doing a root canal then it's much easier to say 'It's a complex one and will need a specialist - but I could extract it for you'.

Murphybear

I moved from Devon to Dorset 5 years ago.  My NHS dentist in Devon was happy for me to remain there although it is an 80 mile return journey.  I went a couple of times then Covid struck.  When  phoning the dentist all you got was a message saying they were only treating emergencies but as they didn’t answer the phone and you couldn’t leave a message I’m not sure how you could get emergency treatment 

Ive been looking for an NHS dentist for 5 years but we live in a wealthy market town and  NHS dentists are as rare as hens teeth.  My Devon dentist says I am no longer with them as I haven’t been in contact 

Someone recommended a dentist but when I went to sign on they weren’t even taking new private patients.  

Fortunately I have now found one that is private and I should be able to afford it as long as I don’t need anything major,  fingers crossed,  my first appointment is tomorrow.  

I feel certain my experiences are quite common.