Dental Hygiene

Bells and whistles hygiene appointments such as you might get in the US are not available on the NHS. NHS patients will get a scale and polish if it's clinically needed. So if your teeth aren't particularly in need of a deep clean, they'll tell you so and send you on your way. I'm not a big dentist fanatic, so I find the "fix it/clean it if there's a need, otherwise brush and floss properly" approach quite suits me. If you're really into deep cleaning more than once a year or so I'd probably say that you should go private.

So, I suppose I should just get some breath mints and wait the 3 months.

What will the breath mints do?   

If you're really into deep cleaning more than once a year or so I'd probably say that you should go private.

I agree. I have DenPlan dental insurance and I'm automatically booked in for a cleaning with my dentist every six months. They just send me a postcard telling me my appointment date and time. Easy peasy!

Bells and whistles hygiene appointments such as you might get in the US are not available on the NHS. NHS patients will get a scale and polish if it's clinically needed. So if your teeth aren't particularly in need of a deep clean, they'll tell you so and send you on your way. I'm not a big dentist fanatic, so I find the "fix it/clean it if there's a need, otherwise brush and floss properly" approach quite suits me. If you're really into deep cleaning more than once a year or so I'd probably say that you should go private.

I find that approach suits me too - I've been going to an NHS dentist all my life and I've never had a cleaning... ever. Even with no cleanings, I've survived for 25 years with no major problems with my teeth and my dentist even told me back in January that I have great oral hygiene - I got my first ever filling at age 24 and I've never had any other dental work done other than a couple of fillings and having one of my stubborn baby teeth taken out when I was 10. 

Jewlz, I would assume the referral isn't really a referral, the dentist will just want to check your general dental health before they book you straight in to see the hygeinest. Once you get registered, you won't need a referral for future cleanings.

Bare in mind though, it isn't a convenient process. When I first registered, I had to have a first appointment/check-up. Then she found two cavities so I had to go back and the appointments were only 20 minutes long so I had to have a seperate appointement for each filling and then a final appointment for my cleaning. 4 appointments in all just for some pretty routine procedures.

There are several dentists in Newcastle city centre, and I know for a fact that Saville Dentist Practice are accepting new NHS patients because my husband just registered there so you could always try to get an appointment in Newcastle while you wait for your village dentist to open up registration.

We have an NHS dentist, but the hygienist in our practice is private. We pay 35 pounds to see her, but she is definitely worth it. I see her every 6 months, and she is fantastic. I did see the dentist before my first appt. with the hygienist, but I have not had to subsequently. My dentist in the US used to clean my teeth (and he was great), but I think this woman is better. She does a fantastic job. Haven't had to have any work done by the dentist (knock on wood), but have every confidence it would be good.

Jewlz, if your dental care is that important to you, I can recommend a good dentist in Newcastle who I know takes private patients and may have NHS openings. That said, given you don't live in Newcastle, they may not be able to take you as NHS... but it's worth a call. The main guy is on the dental faculty at Newcastle Uni. My MIL has been going to them for eons.

Jewlz, I would assume the referral isn't really a referral, the dentist will just want to check your general dental health before they book you straight in to see the hygeinest. Once you get registered, you won't need a referral for future cleanings.

Bare in mind though, it isn't a convenient process. When I first registered, I had to have a first appointment/check-up. Then she found two cavities so I had to go back and the appointments were only 20 minutes long so I had to have a seperate appointement for each filling and then a final appointment for my cleaning. 4 appointments in all just for some pretty routine procedures.

There are several dentists in Newcastle city centre, and I know for a fact that Saville Dentist Practice are accepting new NHS patients because my husband just registered there so you could always try to get an appointment in Newcastle while you wait for your village dentist to open up registration.

Thanks for the details on Newcastle, ladies. There are a few other dentists in some of the surrounding villages, so I might try them before going all the way to Newcastle. It takes ages to take the bus there, which means I would miss nearly a whole day of work for one short appointment and I couldn't really ask DH to miss work also in order to take me to the dentist, since we work at the same place and they would know what was up. They may be taking patients in Alnwick or Morpeth, so I should maybe try those first. If not, I don't suppose it's a big deal to wait the 3 months. If I'm unhappy with the first cleaning, then I suppose I could look into private care at a different office. I'm sure something will work out. Thanks for all the help!

Firstly have you had a look on the NHS website to see which practices are accepting patients?  You may want to ring your local NHS Trust and talk to them regarding dental patients, they'll be able to tell you which ones are good or not plus their individual "preferences."

I initially registered at the Dentist in my village when I moved over, got charged £25 just for a 5 minute check and was told come back in a year.  Went back they'd changed hands and were claiming to be taking on NHS patients, but in fact weren't and booked me in, I got into the dentists seat and was told (after dentist had me open my mouth) that I would be charged as a private patient.  Told them where to get off (not before said dentist told me I needed x, y & z doing in a whole 5 second looksie).   

Called my local NHS trust and got a list of a couple practices, one of which being about a 10 minute drive from home (and told that they were really really good and I could've had a next day appointment when I first called them up!).  I love my dental practice (I've been with them now for a year and a half).  I've never had a clean while being here in the UK, except for a spot clean on a couple teeth because I had a specific issue that I asked them to sort, which the Dentist did himself.  DH & my dentists are in the same village, however separate practices and our appointments are supposed to be in the same month, so we try and book appointments on the same day if possible.   (I tried to get into the same practice as DH, but its fully booked & not accepting new NHS or otherwise or having a waiting list.)

Good luck Jewlz!  By any chance have you looked into going closer to your work, if the trust will allow it if you're wanting to go NHS?