My teeth are in a dreadful state and I am booked into a Maximo clinic via my NHS dentist for 21 extractions under general anaesthetic.

Now, I thought that I was going to get a set of temporary immediate dentures to [...]]]> Dental advice wanted – Extractions and Immediate Dentures

My teeth are in a dreadful state and I am booked into a Maximo clinic via my NHS dentist for 21 extractions under general anaesthetic.

Now, I thought that I was going to get a set of temporary immediate dentures to tide me over until the gums heal properly and I can be fitted for a permanent pair. However, my dentist informed me yesterday that because of the state of my mouth he will not treat me if I insist on doing things this way. He argued that because of the way my teeth are there is no way to tell how the gums may heal (I have bits to extract where the gum has grown over I think) and that aesthetically I am practically down to the gums now, so what difference will it make. He wouldn’t even commit to giving an answer to the question of how long I will be without dentures. He really was quite insistent.

I argued that at least now I can eat and talk properly. I can’t bear the idea of being without dentures for weeks/months. It is my worst nightmare. It is going to make work impossible and if I have any more time off I am out.

I have a couple of friends who have had an immediate denture, there are plenty of similar stories on the Internet and from what I had researched I was under the impression that getting an immediate denture would be pretty much a given. What’s so different about my circumstances? I am fully aware that the gums will probably take longer to heal with an immediate denture, gum shrinkage, about the need for regular re-linings etc. and that it would count as two NHS procedures if things were done that way. Like I said, I thought I had researched this.

Under what circumstances/for what reasons will a Dentist not allow an immediate denture? I certainly hope he has my best interests at heart, but, is it possible he is taking this line because it means more work for him under the same price band procedure? I am finding this all rather traumatic and any advice and opinions would be much appreciated.

I have a 5 year old boy, whom has been to the dentist 3 times over the last 12 months.

On the second visit we were told that his primary lower molar tooth was decayed quite badly and [...]]]> Advice wanted – extraction of molar teeth in young children

I have a 5 year old boy, whom has been to the dentist 3 times over the last 12 months.

On the second visit we were told that his primary lower molar tooth was decayed quite badly and they asked for him to come back again 3 months later which we duly did. On the 3rd visit we were told he either needs them extracted as they are really bad, or for them to be cleaned with anticeptic to prolong the life of them ( Both the left and right lower molar).

It was explained that if they are removed – then the second set would start to erupt, possibly causing overcrowding as the primary doesnt normally fall out till 12 years of age.

What would be the best solution for my 5 year old son? He isnt in pain at the moment. We have cut as much sugar out of his diet as possible. Though i did notice some bleeding when i was cleaning his teeth today (near the actual molar) and last night. Would extraction not neccassarily cause too much overcrowding and then the need for braces when he is older?

Please help!

There is just no incentive for NHS dentists to do complex and time consuming work such as root fillings. In fact doing root canal work can actually penalise an NHS [...]]]> There are lots of stories in the press this week reporting that tooth extractions have soared by 30% in four years. What a surprise!

There is just no incentive for NHS dentists to do complex and time consuming work such as root fillings. In fact doing root canal work can actually penalise an NHS dentist. A NHS dentist has to achieve his UDA target (he is contracted by his Primary Care Trust to do a set number of UDAs, units of dental activity) and because he is allocated the same UDA for doing an extraction (which might take a few minutes) or root canal work (which might take 1-2 hours) the NHS dentist is of course going to suggest an extraction to the patient.

So what is happening? Patients are having their teeth removed unnecessarily when more complex treatment could have saved the teeth. What a scandal.

The report mentions that the “inexperience and pay structure of NHS dentists” are the cause of a “steep rise in hospital admissions” for “tooth extractions” and that more people are travelling to Europe for cheaper dental treatment.

In the UK [...]]]> The Sunday Express article “Why Labour is at fault for Dental Farce” by Alison Little, discusses the failure of UK NHS dentistry and reports that 40,000 patients a year are now travelling to Hungary for dental treatment they can’t afford at home. Here is the link to this dental article www.express.co.uk/posts/view/75502/Why-Labour-is-at-fault-for-dental-farce

In the UK it seems that more patients are having extractions rather than more complex procedures such as root canal treatment. Why is this? The new dental contract? The new dental contract means that the UDA (unit of dental activity) banding for an extraction is in the same category as root canal treatment. An extraction might take a dentist a few minutes,  root canal treatment might take a few hours. What incentive is there for a dentist to do complicated work if they get paid the same amount for both? And the Government are surprised?

So why should you go to Hungary for dental treatment? You get treatment according to what you need, not in units of UDA.