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Mounth in agony - dentist can't see me for a week - what can I do?
Comments
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What a charming caring comment :rolleyes:
No wonder some dentists have a bad name and people are reluctant to goto one, given the prices they charge on top.
Still what goes around ...........
I wasn't registered with a dentist. I hadn't been for more than ten years - too terrified.
A couple of months ago I experienced appalling pain that had me almost climbing the walls.
Eventually I rang a local surgery, and was seen half an hour later. The dentist was absolutely lovely and not only have I registered with her, but I've gone back four times for check-ups and fillings.
Some dental surgeries are staffed by caring people who don't just see dentistry as a 'job', thank heavens.0 -
Perhaps it wasn't a great comment but it reflects the 'instant results' expectations in today's health system. People want to be seen straight away by dentists when there is a problem despite not seeing a dentist for years. People want their GP to see them on that day with a problem that has been going on for weeks or months. And in the A&E department,... don't get me started.What a charming caring comment :rolleyes:
No wonder some dentists have a bad name and people are reluctant to goto one, given the prices they charge on top.
Still what goes around ...........
I'm sorry but dentistry, like anything else, is a job and needs to be balanced with time for family, lunch and speaking to colleagues. In medicine we often do a huge amount of work that is unpaid. But goodwill cannot be a one way street.
As for the comment about prices charged by dentists. You are seeing someone who has been graduated with 3 A's at A level, been to a top 20 university and trained as an undergraduate for 6 years. After which they have done numerous years of postgraduate training.
Do not begrudge then earning a decent salary that they deserve.0 -
People want to be seen straight away by dentists when there is a problem despite not seeing a dentist for years.
I didn't expect it to be seen straight away, and I certainly didn't demand it or think it was my right. In fact I was extremely surprised and grateful at the swift and caring treatment I received.
The way some people in the medical profession talk, waiting rooms and telephone lines all over the country are filled with rude patients, demanding their 'rights' and complaining loudly when they don't get immediate attention. I wonder if that's true, or merely anecdotal.
My particular angel of mercy was unable to take me on under the NHS so I registered with her as a private patient. True, prices are not cheap but no professional service is.0 -
I wasn't registered with a dentist. I hadn't been for more than ten years - too terrified.
A couple of months ago I experienced appalling pain that had me almost climbing the walls.
Eventually I rang a local surgery, and was seen half an hour later. The dentist was absolutely lovely and not only have I registered with her, but I've gone back four times for check-ups and fillings.
Some dental surgeries are staffed by caring people who don't just see dentistry as a 'job', thank heavens.
Just a technicallity, but if you're in England or Wales, you haven't 'registered' with her, as registration doesn't exist anymore.
In 6 months time, her ability to see you again will depend solely on whether she has enough UDAs left (NHS 'target' points). That will depend upon how many other irregular attenders with toothache she has 'spent' her UDAs on.
So really, you should now be hoping that she's turning away other people like yourself, rather than seeing them!!
Ironic isn't it? :rolleyes:How to find a dentist.
1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.0 -
My particular angel of mercy was unable to take me on under the NHS so I registered with her as a private patient. True, prices are not cheap but no professional service is.
Ahhh apologies - I assumed you were talking NHS.
There is pretty much no problem in being seen quickly, or accessing regular good quality dental care if you look outside the NHS.
But if you do look outside the NHS, then finding good caring people willing to take you on should be exactly what you do expect, and it shouldn't be a surprise to find it.
If you come across poor service, or rudeness, or poor communication in private practice, then take your custom elsewhere. There are plenty of good caring places with excellent customer service which don't take much finding.How to find a dentist.
1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.0 -
Could someone please tell me if as an NHS patient i can ask to see the Hygenist? Im on Benefits at the moment so In am not paying for treatment, how much would seeing the hygenist cost me? I have a receding gum line and am worried that i have gum disease. I have asked my dentist what i could do to improve the situation and he said brushing properly!0
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My comment wasn't towards your post at all. It was a reply to the one I quoted.I didn't expect it to be seen straight away, and I certainly didn't demand it or think it was my right. In fact I was extremely surprised and grateful at the swift and caring treatment I received.0 -
My comment wasn't towards your post at all. It was a reply to the one I quoted.
No, that's fine. I made the comments I did because I admitted in the previous post that I was in terrible pain, I hadn't seen a dentist for a decade and yet I rang a dental surgery pleading (near to tears, I admit) to be seen.
Perhaps I was lucky that there was a gap. If not, I would just have worked my way through the Yellow Pages.0 -
Could someone please tell me if as an NHS patient i can ask to see the Hygenist? Im on Benefits at the moment so In am not paying for treatment, how much would seeing the hygenist cost me? I have a receding gum line and am worried that i have gum disease. I have asked my dentist what i could do to improve the situation and he said brushing properly!
My OH is with a dentist as an NHS patient and I know he sees the hygienist. He pays, but I don't know how much.
It seems that the availability of NHS dentists must differ significantly around the country.
Our (I use the term loosely bearing in mind my avoidance, until recently, of dentistry) usual dentist opted out of the thingy, and set their own - very high - charges.
The first dentist I rang was able to take on my teenage daughters, but I was amazed when I later registered my OH and the receptionist asked me if he wanted NHS or private. I expected no option but private.0 -
Could someone please tell me if as an NHS patient i can ask to see the Hygenist? Im on Benefits at the moment so In am not paying for treatment, how much would seeing the hygenist cost me? I have a receding gum line and am worried that i have gum disease. I have asked my dentist what i could do to improve the situation and he said brushing properly!
If you are an NHS patient and have gum disease, then the dentist is obliged to treat that gum disease on the NHS.
Whether that is by sending you to the hygienist, or giving them a really thorough cleaning himself, is up to him. What he can't tell you is that the only way to treat your gum disease is by paying privately.
Of course - if you don't have gum disease, then nobody is obliged to do anything. If it's just a bit of staining you want polished off, then that is cosmetic, and can be charged for.
Where grubbiness finishes and gum disease starts is often quite a blurred line though, if you are in any doubt then get another opinion.How to find a dentist.
1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.0
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