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Topic: What is your experience using NHS dentists?  (Read 4573 times)

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Re: What is your experience using NHS dentists?
« Reply #15 on: November 05, 2010, 08:25:05 PM »
We went to our NHS dentist couple months ago...DH for check up and my for 1st appt and cleaning/check up.
It was super weird for me as he checked my teeth (1 min) then polished my bottom few teeth and had me wash my mouth out. I said that is it? he said oh only a few needed it.
I was like ok so we paid 17.50 pounds for that haha I could do that at home.

DH same thing but didnt get a polish they just looked at his...Just weird to me but at least I know my teeth are good as I went to the dentist before I left the states in Nov.


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Re: What is your experience using NHS dentists?
« Reply #16 on: November 06, 2010, 09:47:03 AM »
Surprised at these reports about cleaning being unnecessary. I just had my first appointment with an NHS dentist. He found the problems I knew I had, did a panoramic xray and discussed every issue in my mouth with me and worked up a treatment plan and suggested that instead of taking the NHS cleaning, if I could afford £30 for a private clean I should go for it, as my teeth needed more than what the NHS pays for (it has been several years since I have had a cleaning). We'll see how he is after I've had some work done this week, but so far I'm impressed.


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Re: What is your experience using NHS dentists?
« Reply #17 on: November 06, 2010, 11:07:21 AM »
Surprised at these reports about cleaning being unnecessary. I just had my first appointment with an NHS dentist. He found the problems I knew I had, did a panoramic xray and discussed every issue in my mouth with me and worked up a treatment plan and suggested that instead of taking the NHS cleaning, if I could afford £30 for a private clean I should go for it, as my teeth needed more than what the NHS pays for (it has been several years since I have had a cleaning). We'll see how he is after I've had some work done this week, but so far I'm impressed.
Wow, sounds like my old dentist in the US!  He was Polish (I think) and schooled in Poland.  Wonder if that makes any difference?  He was so very thorough with everything from checking gums (measurements) to cleaning and polishing (though the hygienist did this), making sure x-rays were up to date, replacing silver fillings with new white ones, addressing my teeth grinding issues, and getting me to start using a Waterpik (with bleach!  But I used something more natural instead).  My experience in the UK is more like the in and out in less than 10 minutes situation.
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Re: What is your experience using NHS dentists?
« Reply #18 on: November 11, 2010, 07:21:51 PM »
I pay to go private.  I had a dentist here and he only cleaned the front teeth.  I knew I wasn't getting what I needed.

I just went to the dentist today and paid 42.00.  They checked my gums for pockets, used the sonic thing, used the hand scaler for a few spots that needed it and polished.  I was in there for 30 minutes. 

Well worth it to me. 


Re: What is your experience using NHS dentists?
« Reply #19 on: November 11, 2010, 07:31:02 PM »
I haven't been to the dentist in a scarily long time and my teeth are a complete state and I'm sure at least one of my Wisdom teeth are impacted.

Looked up some dentists today and have an appointment for Monday (NHS patient). I'm scared! :(



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Re: What is your experience using NHS dentists?
« Reply #20 on: November 12, 2010, 10:53:41 AM »
I go to a private dentist (it is a chain) but I agree that they (private or NHS) do not seem to spend as much time cleaning as dentists did in the US. After I came from a cleaning and scaling in the US, my teeth always looked extra shiny and white, like I'd had a beauty treatment; when I come from a cleaning and scaling at my  UK dentist my teeth look the same as when I came in. (Other than cleanings, I get great care and I have issues with being allergic to anaesthetic which my dentist is great with, so I don't want to change dentists.) I used to love getting my teeth cleaned in the  US because they always looked noticeably better after I left the office; it was like getting my hair done or getting a manicure.

I finally succumbed to paying for teeth whitening but I don't have a lot of time to keep the molds on my teeth and I can't sleep with them on. I would rather just have my teeth cleaned more thoroughly.


Re: What is your experience using NHS dentists?
« Reply #21 on: November 15, 2010, 03:51:57 PM »
I haven't been to the dentist in a scarily long time and my teeth are a complete state and I'm sure at least one of my Wisdom teeth are impacted.

Looked up some dentists today and have an appointment for Monday (NHS patient). I'm scared! :(



I Went today, had a full NHS check up which was free (yay long running health condition!), i paid £60 to have a full xray where something rotates around your head to assess the full issues with my freaking wisdom teeth which are apparently coming in at right angles (seriously...looked awful). I'm seeing the hygienist tomorrow which is £60 as have quite a bit of build up.

Now here's where things get expensive.

£150 to get my wisdom teeth removed.
£100 a quadrant for a "quadrant clean" = £400 for a full in depth cleaning. She said she could do me a discount and do 2 quadrants on the same day but £200 for a teeth cleaning seems super expensive.

So I'll do the hygienist tomorrow and then have a check up in 2 weeks to discuss my wisdom teeth. I'm going to ask for a NHS referral to get them done at the hospital i think.


 


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Re: What is your experience using NHS dentists?
« Reply #22 on: November 15, 2010, 03:55:25 PM »
I Went today, had a full NHS check up which was free (yay long running health condition!), i paid £60 to have a full xray where something rotates around your head to assess the full issues with my freaking wisdom teeth which are apparently coming in at right angles (seriously...looked awful). I'm seeing the hygienist tomorrow which is £60 as have quite a bit of build up.

Now here's where things get expensive.

£150 to get my wisdom teeth removed.
£100 a quadrant for a "quadrant clean" = £400 for a full in depth cleaning. She said she could do me a discount and do 2 quadrants on the same day but £200 for a teeth cleaning seems super expensive.

So I'll do the hygienist tomorrow and then have a check up in 2 weeks to discuss my wisdom teeth. I'm going to ask for a NHS referral to get them done at the hospital i think.


 
Teeth, the bain of my existence.  I'm glad you went though as the fear of the unknown is so much worse than actually just getting on with it as I have found out myself.  I hope the wisdom teeth removal isn't too painful.
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Re: What is your experience using NHS dentists?
« Reply #23 on: November 15, 2010, 04:04:57 PM »
Teeth, the bain of my existence.  I'm glad you went though as the fear of the unknown is so much worse than actually just getting on with it as I have found out myself.  I hope the wisdom teeth removal isn't too painful.

It's so stupid, I kept putting it off, worrying about whether all my teeth were falling out, feel great to have started on the road to getting it sorted (and that it's not as bad as I thought, don't even need any fillings), lots of build up that needs scraping off and just need to take the financial hit now. :/
 Sorry you're having problems too. Blooming teeth!
 :(



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Re: What is your experience using NHS dentists?
« Reply #24 on: November 15, 2010, 05:07:52 PM »
Now here's where things get expensive.
Whoa, I'd DEFINITELY query that. NHS Dental prices should only ever be one of three charges: £16.50, £45.60, or £198.00 (as explained here). It smells to me like they're trying to convince you to do these things privately to upsell and get them more money...
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Re: What is your experience using NHS dentists?
« Reply #25 on: November 15, 2010, 05:42:07 PM »
Whoa, I'd DEFINITELY query that. NHS Dental prices should only ever be one of three charges: £16.50, £45.60, or £198.00 (as explained here). It smells to me like they're trying to convince you to do these things privately to upsell and get them more money...

I think so too, the hygienist charge doesn't bother me as I do need a more throough clean than the NHS do, by the quadrant clean at £100 a quadrant? and £150 for my wisdom teeth out?? Seems a bit much.

I might shop around as there's about 30 dentists taking NHS patients within a mile of me.



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Re: What is your experience using NHS dentists?
« Reply #26 on: November 15, 2010, 05:59:22 PM »
Cheesebiscuit~ Not sure if the dentist on South Ealing Rd (sort of across the street from South Ealing tube) is on your list, but I do NOT recommend them. I had (what should have been) a straightforward cleaning with them and they left my gums sore and bleeding! It was horrible. :(

I asked around and found another dentist, who is really good, but he's in Hounslow, so prob out of your way.

Good luck!
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Re: What is your experience using NHS dentists?
« Reply #27 on: November 22, 2010, 12:47:27 PM »
Cheesebiscut I would be worried about those prices as well! My NHS-I paid £198 for 2 visits a checkup, extraction, quick cleaning, retainer and a followup. My dentist said I should get a full cleaning once a year for £30.
For wisdom teeth you should pay £198, then £30 for the cleaning, then whatever extra for the pain medication after.
That being said- I am looking at getting a dental implant- and since it is considered cosmetic, it costs about a grand, bridges cost about £500. If the cleaning is considered cosmetic, they could charge you whatever they feel like. I am sure you could find a cleaning for cheaper elsewhere though.

I haven't have my wisdom teeth out either- they have just started to grown in. I had them checked out by my NHS dentist and he said they didn't look like they would get impacted so he wont get them taken out. My dentist in the States, however, recommended that I get them extracted because I do not have enough space in my mouth for them and they will move my other teeth to make room. Sure enough- I noticed the past few weeks my some of my teeth are slightly shifting. I wear a retainer 24 hours a day right now, so I don't think my teeth will get too crazy, but I am worried about getting my dental implant and then my teeth shifting, since I will no longer have to wear the retainer. After 2 years (& $3000) of braces, I really do not want to go back to having crooked teeth, but there is nothing the NHS will do as extraction to keep teeth straight is not necessary. Does anyone know if I will have any more luck going private?
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Re: What is your experience using NHS dentists?
« Reply #28 on: November 22, 2010, 12:51:10 PM »
unrelated- my DH went for a checkup on Saturday at same place as me-different dentist. He asked his dentist how to properly floss 2 of his teeth (they are very close together- hard to floss). The dentist said not to worry about it as flossing isn't that important and you really don't need to do it more than once a week?!
Also the dentist actually told him flossing more than 3-4 times a week is bad for your gums and bleeding when you floss is "normal".

I am guessing when the commercials say "9 out of 10 dentists recommend..." he is that 10th dentist! ;D
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Re: What is your experience using NHS dentists?
« Reply #29 on: November 22, 2010, 06:53:57 PM »
unrelated- my DH went for a checkup on Saturday at same place as me-different dentist. He asked his dentist how to properly floss 2 of his teeth (they are very close together- hard to floss). The dentist said not to worry about it as flossing isn't that important and you really don't need to do it more than once a week?!
Also the dentist actually told him flossing more than 3-4 times a week is bad for your gums and bleeding when you floss is "normal".

I am guessing when the commercials say "9 out of 10 dentists recommend..." he is that 10th dentist! ;D
What?!  :o  No way!  That's just nuts.  The only time I bleed when I floss is if I've missed a day of flossing (doesn't happen very often as I usually floss every day sometimes twice a day!).  10th dentist indeed!
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