NHS experience - dentist

Yay!  I had a really nice dentist visit today and thought I'd post about it.

I used the NHS website to find a dentist near me that was accepting patients.  I called them Monday and they gave me an appointment for today (Friday).  I went over and filled out a form, they asked if I was on benefits and I said no.  Then I went up to the dentist who introduced himself and asked if I had any problems and why I was there.  He took a look at my teeth, took two x-rays where I had fillings, and did a brief cleaning.  He said everything was fine but noted that it looked like I was brushing too hard and also saw I grind my teeth.  He said 'do you have a very stressful job?'   

That was it!  Total cost was £15.90.  I was very pleased!

I have seen three medical professionals this week - regular NHS GP, optician, and dentist. All very good experiences.

Very happy your experience was good!

Must be where I live, but Ive been on the NHS dentist waiting list for a month and have yet to be assigned a dentist.  All the NHS dentists have their max # of patients and the rest are private.  So on tuesday Im going private for a check up (because i KNOW i need a filling ) but the wait for a private dentist was only a few days and not really THAT expensive... so its okay...

Hopefully i'll get a dentist soon

I'm happy to hear there are good NHS dentists out there. I am glad that you had a good experience, geeta. It makes me feel optimistic that my experience will be different once I move to another town/city.

Chrissy, have you called the Dental Access number? If your situation is an emergency, you can call and be seen at a local dental hospital and will only have to pay the NHS price; my friend did that recently when she had a loose filling. I can find the number for you if it helps. Otherwise, it might be worth looking into a cash-back Insurance plan like Healthsure; Saj & I use them and it really helps to keep costs down when we get private treatment. I hope your appointment goes well! 

I'm glad it went so well for you!! 

I too am very happy with the NHS dentist we registered with over the summer. He is fantastic, and we had no trouble registering as NHS, and were seen within a week.The hygienist who works in the practice charges private rates, but it was only about 30 pounds, and quite possibly the most thorough clean I've had, and I had a great dentist back in the US.

Good news for you guys!  Apparently, there are no dentists that use/accept NHS in our area.  (This info comes from the chiswick W4 website.)

Good news for you guys!  Apparently, there are no dentists that use/accept NHS in our area.  (This info comes from the chiswick W4 website.)

Im in the same boat at the moment.  Going to see a private dentist tommorow    Luckily i have savings... im sure i'll need it!

This reminds me i'm due for my 6 monthly check up.  Unfortunately i've been on the NHS dentist waiting list for 4 years now and no end in sight!

I don't understand why it's so easy to get an appointment in some areas and near to impossible in others? Is it just supply and demand?

I don't understand why it's so easy to get an appointment in some areas and near to impossible in others? Is it just supply and demand?

I think certain dentists will agree to take on NHS patients, and others wont.  In the case where no dentists take NHS patients (or their books are full) you wait until one becomes available, or people drop off the list (by moving away or dying I assume).

I check my position on the list every so often but i've barely moved.  I would take out a private dental insurance plan but I have good teeth and have so far spent less on paying out of pocket for any expenses, than I would paying insurance.  Let's hope it stays that way!

I check my position on the list every so often but i've barely moved. 

Ive just signed up for the NHS dentist waiting list.. where do I check my spot?

Ive just signed up for the NHS dentist waiting list.. where do I check my spot?

I just call up NHS Direct and get the number of the local PCT and find out the current status.

I think certain dentists will agree to take on NHS patients, and others wont.  In the case where no dentists take NHS patients (or their books are full) you wait until one becomes available, or people drop off the list (by moving away or dying I assume).

I check my position on the list every so often but i've barely moved.  I would take out a private dental insurance plan but I have good teeth and have so far spent less on paying out of pocket for any expenses, than I would paying insurance.  Let's hope it stays that way!

It took me over 4 years here in Inverness to get an NHS dentist.  Soo frustrating

It took me over 4 years here in Inverness to get an NHS dentist.  Soo frustrating

I'm in Inverness too, glad to see i'm not alone in the waiting!

Just called the local PCT and they said they werent able to tell me my spot on the list but it will definatly be a few months (at least they didnt say YEARS).