Dentists

Hi everyone -

I am wondering what your experience is with dentistry in the UK. I currently have private health care so I'm flexible with who I can go go. In the US, I get my teeth cleaned every 6 - 8 months so I want to stay on top of it.

I live in London - can anyone recommended a great dentist here? Or share their experiences?

Thanks!

I'm not in London but my dentist in the UK is great.  I go private.  The only thing that's different (in my experience) is that I see the dentist for an exam and X-rays every 6 months and the cleaning is done seperately at a different appointment (was all done in one appointment for me in the US).

I too am outside London and love my dentist (private).  We joined DenPlan, a sort of prepaid insurance.  The dentist assesses your dental health which determines how much you have to pay.  I have to have cleanings four times a year which is covered.  The plan can also refer you to plan dentists in other areas for emergencies and you would be covered.

When my daughter was living in London she had an NHS dentist who she seemed to be OK with until she needed some emergency work done and they refused to squeeze her in.  She spent the better part of a day trying to find someone to take her and finally located a private practice in Camden (it's been a while -- think it might have been Camden Dental Centre) who were very helpful and agreed to take her almost immediately.

After years of private dentists (who were very good, but very expensive), I finally have an NHS dentist and he's brilliant. He explains every step of everything he's doing as he does it.  He also does my teeth cleaning himself if they need 'em. Not had an emergency issue to deal with, but both my partner and myself have been very pleased with him and especially the costs of an NHS dentist (compared to the ££££££££££ we were paying in private fees)

Luckily there are loads of dentists in London and you often can read reviews about them before registering with them. I am on my third in eight months! The first I asked to join as an NHS patient and was accepted but from my first visit, she tried to push me to have private treatment. When I read the reviews that was the main criticism of her! The second one was an excellent 24 service when I had an emergency. It was in Baker Street. I have just been to my third who is private. As I said, read the reviews!

Thank you! Where does one "read the reviews" for these?

Anyone have a specific person they would recommend. Even within the US, I found some dentists great, some crappy so if there was someone in particular that you loved it would be great to get a name! Thanks!

I love my dentist in N1, Charles Landau dentistry. Found the practice through http://www.Toothpick.com, and was able to book online an NHS appointment within 10 days for a broken tooth that would end up needing to be pulled and replaced with a bridge. Could have gotten in quicker with a private appointment, but I didn't want to pony up. Going back for a six-month check-up/cleaning in a couple weeks.

You can read reviews on the NHS website: http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx In the 'Services near you' box, click dentist, type your postcode, then click 'Find dental services'.