I was originally under an NHS dentist who changed to private. A few years later the dentist retired and the practice was taken over. The "new" practice has put prices up considerably, and I have felt that I have had more work done on [...]]]> Dental advice wanted – NHS versus Private Dentistry

I was originally under an NHS dentist who changed to private. A few years later the dentist retired and the practice was taken over. The "new" practice has put prices up considerably, and I have felt that I have had more work done on my teeth than required, and not been totally happy with the service or results.

Where do I stand if I want to move to a NHS dentist at this stage?

I needed an emergency root canal filling having broken a tooth after falling when pregnant.  I was registered at a private practice but saw my dentist at his NHS clinic where he advised, due to my pregnancy I would be treated on the NHS.  [...]]]> Dental advice wanted – NHS dental treatment during pregnancy

I needed an emergency root canal filling having broken a tooth after falling when pregnant.  I was registered at a private practice but saw my dentist at his NHS clinic where he advised, due to my pregnancy I would be treated on the NHS.  He advised I should attend his private practice the following day (it was closer to my home address and I was very upset) for the completion of my root canal where he also glued my original tooth back on to the stump that remained.  I have since been told nothing will be covered on the NHS?  Is this correct?  Can nothing be claimed back?

I still have the temporary tooth and need to work out what to do next as I keep being told that this should all be covered on the NHS, regardless of whether I am registered as private or not.

Your advice would be really appreciated.

Your charges will depend on the treatment you need to keep your mouth, gums and teeth healthy. You will only ever be asked to pay one charge for each complete course [...]]]> The following poster "NHS dental charges from 1 April 2011" describes the charge you will pay for your NHS dental treatment.

Your charges will depend on the treatment you need to keep your mouth, gums and teeth healthy. You will only ever be asked to pay one charge for each complete course of treatment, even if you need to visit your dentist more than once to finish it – either Band 1, Band 2 or Band 3. If you have to be referred to another dentist for another, separate course of treatment, you can expect a second charge. Some minor treatments, including having stitches removed or repair to dentures (if they can be mended), are free.

“I hope that you don’t mind that I have sent you this email, but I really didn’t know who to ask about this, and would really appreciate your advice about something, please. Excuse me that it is a bit long-winded, but I will endeavour [...]]]> Email received from a concerned dental patient

“I hope that you don’t mind that I have sent you this email, but I really didn’t know who to ask about this, and would really appreciate your advice about something, please. Excuse me that it is a bit long-winded, but I will endeavour to explain my situation.

I am a family carer, and I care for 3 members of my family; for this reason, it is often quite difficult to put myself first, even when it comes to pre-booked appointments. I am an NHS patient and, until recently, I was undergoing treatment between my Dentist and the Hospital, as I am suffering drastic bone loss in my gums, and I am slowly losing my teeth. Unfortunately, due to my role as a carer I have had to cancel dental appointments on a few occasions, as something has happened with one of the people who I care for, where they have been unwell, etc. As I don’t have anyone to turn to for support at these times, I have had no alternative but to put whatever I have to do for myself on hold. As I cannot plan ahead for unforeseeable events like this, on two of the occasions, I have only been able to give them two and a half hours notice of cancellation.

Ultimately, I recently received a letter from my dental practice saying that they were ‘deregistering’ me for missing appointments, to make way for new patients. They argued that they cannot be expected to accept 2 hours notice, as it was not enough time to fit anyone else in the slot. As I already suffer with stress and anxiety, this has only added to my worries. I emailed the Practice Manager, explaining that I am a carer, but they wrote back to me basically saying that they are a ‘busy practice’ and they are not changing their mind.

I feel very strongly that I am being discriminated against because I am doing the job of being a carer, and have to put others before myself. I am at a real loss now as to what to do, because a temporary dental prosthesis has already been made for me, which was supposed to be fitted so that the hospital could see how I tolerate it (I suffer with globus hystericus) so that they could cut back on it’s size. Unfortunately, I now can’t go back to see my own Dentist, so don’t know what to do now!! Therefore, any advice that you could give me as to what, if anything, I can do about this (ie. If I can make a complaint to anyone) would be very much appreciated.

I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Many thanks”

“A porcelain bridge rooted to my left hand front tooth, that is secured to what I believe to be the eye-tooth has broken away from both anchorage points. Several attempt have been made to correct the decay in the rear tooth, without any repair being [...]]]> Email received from a concerned patient

“A porcelain bridge rooted to my left hand front tooth, that is secured to what I believe to be the eye-tooth has broken away from both anchorage points. Several attempt have been made to correct the decay in the rear tooth, without any repair being effective for anything other a relatively short time. I was told a year ago, that should the bridge fail due to the caries it would not be possible to recreate the bridge and due to my overbite I would need to go private should any form of denture be considered. Is there any solution to this situation via NHS Treatment?

If some alternative approach is not feasible and as my teeth are in such a terrible state, (extractions having been carried out since my late teens) it would seem the only viable options is to have total extraction. Can this be conducted on The NHS and dentures be provided?”

Was the treatment NHS dental treatment or was it private dental treatment? The process is different.

NHS Dental Treatment