Switching NHS dentists

I was extremely fortunate to find an NHS dentist when I needed a root canal, and he seems to have done a good job on fixing that tooth and an adjacent one.

However - even though he did a full, tooth-by-tooth exam before I began treatment, he neglected to see that I had a tooth that must have had decay as a chunk of it broke off (he's put a temporary filling on top of that now), and today a piece of another tooth - that he just worked on to bring up to height for a bite guard for sleeping - broke off.

Can I switch to another NHS dentist, even though I've had recent treatment with this one? I just don't trust him now, if he missed these two issues.

Thanks

Yes, you can go to any NHS dentist, it's not a big deal at all.

Great news, thanks! The first guy told me I"d had "much more treatment" than most do on the NHS, I was beginning to wonder if there was a limit to dental on the NHS.

If the total cost of the course of treatment suggested by the dentist exceeds a certain amount (I think this is about £800) you may have to see an NHS consultant dental surgeon to certify that everything in the course is "necessary". I had to go to the Bristol Dental Hospital to get the signature before my course (total cost over £1100) could go ahead. It was only a short visit and they gave me an convenient appointment for a day when I was going to Bristol anyway. I still only paid the employed person's contribution (around £200 I recall).

Hm, it may have been getting close to that if they go on private costs, but not if using the NHS costs.

Either way, he should have seen this problem, so I've booked in with a new dentist. Fingers crossed that this one is a bit better. Now to make the temporary filling stuff I have work for another month until my appointment!