How do the Dentists Compare

is it within the rules here to mention the names of the dentists you like?  I live in London and need to find a good one..

I've had mixed experiences with dentists at the same practice here in the UK. One just looked in my mouth and said I was fine. When I asked if I had any cavitities, he said, Oh let me look again to see. What was he looking for the first time??  Anyway I came back for an x-ray which I had to request, having not had for for over 4 years since I had been trying to get pregant that long. They discovered four cavities ( my first ones ever   ) but didn't tell me about them! I had pain a week later and went back and that's when they told me! They only filled one and I'm supposed to come back for the others in a few months. Because I don't quite trust them I want to go to my dentist in the States when I go back for a visit next week, but my UK dentist (as I've posted elsewhere) is refusing to release any notes or copies of the x-ray.  So I'm quite annoyed.
Also I noticed on the wall in the waiting room a posting which says 'A new UK study shows that 80% of people do not benefit from scaling and polishing'. I find such a statement in a dentists office concerning as I feel they should be encouraging good hygiene not discouraging it.  Also my practice does not employ a hygienist.. so perhaps they are trying to justify this?? 

Also I noticed on the wall in the waiting room a posting which says 'A new UK study shows that 80% of people do not benefit from scaling and polishing'. I find such a statement in a dentists office concerning

I'd take this to mean that 80% of people do not have regular scalings and polishings (though they should) and therefore do not get the benefits of those treatments. I think - but I could be wrong - they're trying to encourage people, not discourage them. It is odd wording, though.

I think the OP is looking for information about specific dentists in London. Sorry, I'm in Wales, but I'm sure someone will be able to help you! 

I was just talking to DB about this! I went to the dentist yesterday and came back after finding out how much it would cost for him to go without insurance (my work covers dental). They said they'll give him a discount because of me. When we were talking about my appointment taking a long time (I had a really thorough hygenist this time who gave me the whole periodontal talk) he said he hadn't had any x-rays since he was a child and was surprised to find that we get it done every year here! I'll be curious to say what he says about the differences between the US and UK dentist.

I'd take this to mean that 80% of people do not have regular scalings and polishings (though they should) and therefore do not get the benefits of those treatments. I think - but I could be wrong - they're trying to encourage people, not discourage them. It is odd wording, though.

I think the OP is looking for information about specific dentists in London. Sorry, I'm in Wales, but I'm sure someone will be able to help you! 

Really?  My dentist said "We don't do it on a regular basis, unless it's obviously necessary.  Most people don't need it".   I DID figure at the time he was full of crap. 

My dentist told me after my check up that I didn't need a cleaning... despite not having one in over 3 years  -- I went against his recommendation and had one anyways. 

My hygenist was british and lived in america for 13 years and worked there as well and said that its certainly not as common over here and that when people do come in theyre usually in rough shape!

Just don't think (major generalization, obviously) there's the same emphasis on preventative care.  If it's broken, then we'll fix it seems to be the attitude I've encountered.   

Just don't think (major generalization, obviously) there's the same emphasis on preventative care.  If it's broken, then we'll fix it seems to be the attitude I've encountered.   

My dentist automatically books me for an appointment (cleaning and checkup) every 6 months, the same as in the US. That's with DenPlan, though. It might be different if you're using an NHS dentist.

Nope, my NHS dentist sends me reminders every 6 months as well.  And she is fabulous.

But she's not in London (sorry, to the OP).

NHS dentists have to give you a scale and polish under Band 1 (£15.90) if it's clinically needed. If it's cosmetic you can book to have a clean from the hygeinist whenever you like but you would pay for it privately (usually not very expensive).....

My dentist automatically books me for an appointment (cleaning and checkup) every 6 months, the same as in the US. That's with DenPlan, though. It might be different if you're using an NHS dentist.

I'm with the NHS and I usually make an appointment every 6 months to a year, but it is usually my responsibility to make sure I book the appointment on time. I have a check-up each time, but I can't remember ever having a cleaning done (I'm not even sure what's involved in a cleaning) and I've been going to the dentist for over 20 years (I've never had any problems with my teeth though - I had my first ever filling at age 24).

I tried an NHS dentist and went a total of 1 time. Why?
It'd been well over a year since my last cleaning, and he wouldn't OK a cleaning for me.
He said my teeth were fine and anything he would do (including a cleaning) "would be too much".
He invited me to come back when I had a problem.

!!!!

I found a private dentist. night and day. He's not as good as my dentists over the years in the US, but not far off. They do cleanings, they take xrays, they talk to you about how to maintain good dental health. They even encourage you to floss! The dentist said that most dentist here in the UK are far too quick to extract teeth. Take a look around an you'll see how right he is.

Yes, I like my dentist here but I'm seeing a dentist on my next trip to the states!

Interesting... I thought this was just a Swedish thing.  There is national healthcare coverage here in Sweden, but it doesn't cover dental once you're an adult.

I am American and went to the dentist here in Sweden.  My dentist in America wanted me to go every 4 months, but I still went for my usual 6 month checkups.  By the time I went to the dentist here in Sweden it was probably more like 2 years since my last cleaning.  The hygienist did X-rays and a very brief cleaning.  I never saw the dentist and she told me that I definitely do not need to come in more than once or twice a year.  I never had a real cavity problem in the US, but I did have a lot of buildup that took a lot of time to scrape, particularly in certain areas.  I don't see how they could make that part up... And my mother, her friends, and my boyfriend all went to the same dentist and were not all told to come in every 4 months, and such.  Maybe that is because they knew that we know each other? 

Boy, we all sound so skeptical now but I am concerned about being ripped off so they can make a buck.  I grew up with my grandfather as my dentist and was only exposed to the yuppie dentists I came to know after he retired.  I'll tell you what though.  I left the Swedish dentist with no clean feeling at all.  I love that super clean feeling you get after a good cleaning!  I am still dying for a proper cleaning.  Also, my boyfriend has some kind of ammonia breath that I know is his teeth.  He's got a visible spot of rot, went into them to have it checked and was told that it's no problem and to go home... What the heck is that?

My boyfriend had his first American dentist appointment a couple of weeks ago. He said he's only been to a private dentist in England, so said that the English one had some more fancy stuff like molds of mouths, but that the exam and the quality of the work was about the same.

Funnily enough, the hygenist joked that she was afraid to work on his teeth since he was English but then said he had some of the better teeth she's seen, except for two of them. They mentioned getting his wisdom teeth taken out after seeing his x-rays, but told him to wait until he went back to England to get it done cheaper. He said they were telling him a lot about different teeth from various cultures. The dentist said that, in general, Asians have excellent teeth but bad gums because they don't eat much sugary stuff, but they don't brush their teeth as often. My dentist is Asian too, so I'm sure he knows. He said he's extracting all these beautiful teeth because the gums are so bad.

I think they really liked DB, he got the regular toothbrush gift, but also two tubes of toothpaste and two things of floss...either that or they were just being nice when she said his teeth were nice. 

If Kilburn is near enough to go to a dentist, feel free to pm me for his name...I like him and his practice.