NHS Dentists


Was with Wessington Dental practice as a NHS patient but they went private and I just chose to stay with him ( I knew him and he was good) as happens though he retired and BUPA took it over. Still with them and was on dental plan till the other month when they put charges up.
Will just pay for a yearly check up rather than 6 monthly and hygienist every 8 months rather than the 6 previously.

Last time there it was £124 for 5 minute check up and hygienist and weirdly I pay more for that rather than the dentist :eek:

Begrudge it but always looked after my choppers ( saw what happened with my mam who hated dentists and it resulted in early dentures )

Can you go back on the NHS? Bupa took over my dentists but we're still NHS patients.
 
Can you go back on the NHS? Bupa took over my dentists but we're still NHS patients.
My dentist doesn't take NHS adult patients.
Know them fairly well now and convenient...sort of.
Just an annoying thing I'll probably just put up with.
 
Two year wait up here at the moment to go nhs , I’ve got a molar that needs to come out soon as I’ve been grinding overnight so looking like dental hospital
 
Just been informed no more NHS treatment at my local dentist, we have to pay £15 per month...are there any NHS dentists left to join? Last thing I need is another 15 x3 pm outgoing.

Is something like a health plan viable?

I get this from work



I think kids can piggy back on your account.

I realise you don't want to pay that out but there are a few things on there if you have multiple outgoings.]

Good luck finding an NHS dentist!
 
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Just been informed no more NHS treatment at my local dentist, we have to pay £15 per month...are there any NHS dentists left to join? Last thing I need is another 15 x3 pm outgoing.

What are you getting for £15 a month?

That sounds like some sort of denplan scheme.

Most private dentists let you operate on a PAYG basis.
 
Is that a recent change, as that's where I'm registered, and I had a check-up in November.
I have actually been in 3 times and phoned them twice to see if I can get a checkup appointment (last phone call last week) since lockdown restrictions were eased, I get told the same thing they are not doing checkups they are only doing actual emergency/dental work.

If i want an appointment I would have to book an emergency appointment, I was told each time I was in/rang.

My last actual appointment there was April 2019 then everything kicked off in March 2020.
 
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I have actually been in 3 times and phoned them twice to see if I can get a checkup appointment (last phone call last week) since lockdown restrictions were eased, I get told the same thing they are not doing checkups they are only doing actual emergency/dental work.

If i want an appointment I would have to book an emergency appointment, I was told each time I was in/rang.

My last actual appointment there was April 2019 then everything kicked off in March 2020.

Weird. I think I paid 27 quid or something like that, but assumed that was so low it is still an NHS charge.
 
Never been to the dentist in 20 year. Brush twice a day and floss regularly. Don’t pouch sugary shite and there shouldn’t be a need for a monthly checkup.
 
The problem is 2-fold. Private brings a lot more £££ in, and NHS doesn't bring enough £££ in. Sounds simple, but it's not a £££ profit over all else equation though.

Dentists that want to offer both private and NHS need to start upping their game equipment and software wise to compete with the leading practices in their own area. Industry standard practice management software isn't cheap. Nor is the hardware to run it on. It's an awful outdated industry and cloud solutions are still thin on the ground. One of the industry leaders doesn't even have a cloud solution yet and the application itself is archaic. Imaging equipment is bloody expensive, almost hospital grade in some cases and costs tens of thousands for a basic intra-oral imaging scanner. To stay competitive and bring in the higher value cosmetic dental work, many practices are now splashing out on 3D CT oral imaging kit and this is £100k plus plus the training, software and PC's capable of running it. So lots of dentists are aiming for cosmetic as well as reactive/pain reducing treatment which means less NHS work, or giving it up entirely because the NHS refunds and referrals just aren't enough for the work involved, it can rarely be upsold to cosmetic treatment, and it impacts the practice ability to actually cover the costs of running the practice for your average 3 or 4 room family owned local.

Next issue, lots of dentists who had NHS as the lifeblood, your little mom/pop family owned affair struggled over COVID. Larger groups are swooping in and buying these privately owned business out. That means corporate aims, corporate standardising and introduction of treatement plans for recurring income, reduction of NHS to children only or outright stopping of NHS treatment and increased upsell opportunity for the big money cosmetic work even in your smaller 2 or 3 room practice which is where the real money is now in the dental industry.

TLDR, if you can't afford private, pliers and paracetamol for you now.
 
Not sure how they cant make money on NHS like. Dentists (some) been taking piss out of nhs for years. £20 per 5 minute appointment plus unrequired fillings and xrays etc. all my fillings are from 13-16 year old, that dentist was on the rob.
 
Aye that's the one. Not so bothered for myself but my daughter who is 10 has an issue that needs looking at. I'll give them a ring next week. It's crap but kids should be the priority for free treatment as their teeth are still developing.
Are you aware they are at Fulwell also, I’m sure they are doing check ups still, try them instead 🤞
 

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