‘Nine in 10 NHS dental practices across the UK are not accepting new adult patients for treatment under the health service, a BBC investigation has found.’
Did the industry privatise itself or did previous governments sell off the rights to perform dentistry on the quiet.
They should be brought back into line. If they need government approval to practice and print money they shouldn’t be allowed to.
Sounds like unfettered capitalism. Just another example of people taking advantage and exploitation a poorly managed system.
I guess I could read the article.
There is not a single dentist in Brighton and Hove that is accepting new patients.
I have not been to the dentist since before the pandemic. The BUPA dentist I used to go to that previously accepted NHS patients no longer does.
I have been on waiting lists for over a year. I still call up numerous dentists in the area from time to time and the situation is not improving.
I really want to see a dentist for a check-up. I’m worried that I will develop dental problems without one.
I have written to my MP who advised to keep trying as the situation will improve as they catch up, but there is no sign of this happening.
I’m going to try dentists in other towns soon I suppose. But this situation really isn’t acceptable. I feel as if I’m being forced to go private, and I’ll have no choice but to do so.
Brexit working as intended
My dentist was still operating under “covid measures” about two months ago.
I haven’t been to a dentist in about 10 years now. I can’t find one anywhere, and as soon as I have money set aside to get a private appointment, I need to spend it on something that’s gone wrong. I’ve got a child now too… fuck!
I was lucky enough to book my checkup back in April. For March 2023.
Getting registered is just the first battle.
I live in a rural area and there’s 800 people on the waiting list in my local town. I haven’t seen a dentist in over five years. My two primary school children have never seen a dentist.
Can anyone explain to me why this is happening. Is it due to covid causing large backlogs?
Guys, you want an advice? Take a short holiday, fly to some eastern european country, fix your teeth, do some sightseeing and eat some nice food, and the total cost including traveling is going to be a fraction of what you pay for dentists here
What’s happening in Dentistry now is what will eventually happen to the rest of the NHS, and it won’t get better until we take steps to deal with:
a) NHS workers not being paid enough to compete with the private sector;
b) Ridiculous levels of student debt, the rising cost of living and the housing bubble ‘incentivising’ NHS staff to move into the private sector;
c) NHS bosses not adequately enforcing the ‘zero tolerance’ policy regarding abuse of their staff.
At the moment the system is caught in a vicious downward spiral, unfortunately by design; drastic measures are required in order to save it.
This has been a long time coming, Somerset has essentially been Dentistless for years. I’m spending ~£700 on dental work this month as I can either wait until the heat death of the universe or go private. Fortunately I have the money, many do not.
The way this country has been mismanaged over the past decade (and then some) is disgusting.
Not totally relevant but I know of at least one private only dentist who sends their work to the lab under NHS pricing whilst obviously charging their patients for full private work. It’s this profit over care mentality causing this.
I was on a waiting list that lasted a whole year. Luckily I eventually got a place though.
Kind of interesting to see how dire the situation is. Interestingly, a dentist in my area was just advertising a few days ago that they are taking new NHS patients, so I guess they have a few pockets where it’s not as bad yet.
Fortunately I get my teeth done for a fraction of the price when overseas visiting family.
The only dentist I could get on a waiting list for in Cornwall – was a BUPA by the time I got to the top of the list – and subsequently binned me off. That was in 2014. I tried again recently in my new borough. There’s nothing. Not one.
The thing is if dental surgeries have enough people registered the practices can make enough appointments the whole week round, so they can make their money. To register extra NHS patients is unnecessary for dentists because they already have as many as they need to stay aloft. They wouldn’t mind seeing people privately though because that means hard cash.
I am so glad I registered my son with the practice he is with just a week or two before the Covid started in the Uk. He was under a year then, but when I took the other kids for their routine check ups, the dentist said “oh why don’t you get that little boy checked too, we will register him now”. I said OK, and I am so glad I did because since then no other dentist locally had taken new patients. The last few times we went there, i have noticed people coming in and asking to register, only to be rejected. There probably still are a few surgeries around that take NHS patients, but they probably don’t take many and once the word gets out that a practice is taking patients, they can get swamped and stop taking more. I feel sorry for people now because private dental care, especially for those that are in benefits is extremely expensive.
Tigger warn; child sexual abuse and suicidal ideation
Londoner here: luckily been with my dentist few years and as I have serious dental issues I’ve been seeing them quite regularly over the past year and can get appointments within 1 week or so for routine or 2 days or so for emergencies
I have some work that requires more serious work that the dentist cannot do so im now on waiting list for special care dentrisry at Eastman dental hospital in London
In 2016 I had to wait approx 3 months for an appointment at this hospital.
I’ve been told 1 month ago that another appointment will be at least a year wait if not longer
There’s only one specialist dental hospital in England apparently which is im guessing the hospital
I’ve been before
The work I need is specialist and I don’t believe I can go private for. I could be wrong. Regardless I have no money for private care.
So I have to wait at least a year for my first appointment and based on my last experience it will be 2 years for the special dental work to be done over many appointments
In that time I am without front teeth and seriously in position where I could lose more. I cannot tell you how much this impacts on my confidence. I hate to open my mouth to speak. Strangers ask what’s with your teeth?! It’s so embarrassing. I wear a mask outside but It does not help in all situations.
I have suicidal thoughts that I no longer wish to be alive as the awful image of my teeth is so traumatic
For context I was sexually abused by my grandfather aged 3-9 years old. I have such a complex fear on people putting their fingers in my mouth that I put off going to dentist for almost 20 years as an adult
Apparently it’s quite common and not an unusual impact of CSA
Last few years I’ve had courage to go to dentist and have various mental health help to get me through the process. Combination of sedation, hypnotherapy, breathing excercises etc but mostly cuddling the hell out of a teddy as a 40 year old it’s fun to bring teddies to dentist….
I’m trying to better my life and recently had job interview offers at both Facebook and Amazon but I get scared before and drop out cause I fear rejection based on my teeth
Some days I want to kill my self but whilst I am here my advise would be please keep up with your dental appointments and just keep badgering until you manage to get to see a dentist
If you have similar traumas to mine, please know that dentists are aware of the fear and have techniques to help but they need to know otherwise they’d have no idea
It’s pointless advise but I feel for anyone who is having dentistry issues and I wish you all good luck and happy smiles (plus I hope to smile one day too!)
I contacted a few dentists in West Midlands county and funnily they are accepting new patients for private treatment and none for NHS patients
About time we privatised it and got a proper good service again
21 comments
‘Nine in 10 NHS dental practices across the UK are not accepting new adult patients for treatment under the health service, a BBC investigation has found.’
Did the industry privatise itself or did previous governments sell off the rights to perform dentistry on the quiet.
They should be brought back into line. If they need government approval to practice and print money they shouldn’t be allowed to.
Sounds like unfettered capitalism. Just another example of people taking advantage and exploitation a poorly managed system.
I guess I could read the article.
There is not a single dentist in Brighton and Hove that is accepting new patients.
I have not been to the dentist since before the pandemic. The BUPA dentist I used to go to that previously accepted NHS patients no longer does.
I have been on waiting lists for over a year. I still call up numerous dentists in the area from time to time and the situation is not improving.
I really want to see a dentist for a check-up. I’m worried that I will develop dental problems without one.
I have written to my MP who advised to keep trying as the situation will improve as they catch up, but there is no sign of this happening.
I’m going to try dentists in other towns soon I suppose. But this situation really isn’t acceptable. I feel as if I’m being forced to go private, and I’ll have no choice but to do so.
Brexit working as intended
My dentist was still operating under “covid measures” about two months ago.
I haven’t been to a dentist in about 10 years now. I can’t find one anywhere, and as soon as I have money set aside to get a private appointment, I need to spend it on something that’s gone wrong. I’ve got a child now too… fuck!
I was lucky enough to book my checkup back in April. For March 2023.
Getting registered is just the first battle.
I live in a rural area and there’s 800 people on the waiting list in my local town. I haven’t seen a dentist in over five years. My two primary school children have never seen a dentist.
Can anyone explain to me why this is happening. Is it due to covid causing large backlogs?
Guys, you want an advice? Take a short holiday, fly to some eastern european country, fix your teeth, do some sightseeing and eat some nice food, and the total cost including traveling is going to be a fraction of what you pay for dentists here
What’s happening in Dentistry now is what will eventually happen to the rest of the NHS, and it won’t get better until we take steps to deal with:
a) NHS workers not being paid enough to compete with the private sector;
b) Ridiculous levels of student debt, the rising cost of living and the housing bubble ‘incentivising’ NHS staff to move into the private sector;
c) NHS bosses not adequately enforcing the ‘zero tolerance’ policy regarding abuse of their staff.
At the moment the system is caught in a vicious downward spiral, unfortunately by design; drastic measures are required in order to save it.
This has been a long time coming, Somerset has essentially been Dentistless for years. I’m spending ~£700 on dental work this month as I can either wait until the heat death of the universe or go private. Fortunately I have the money, many do not.
The way this country has been mismanaged over the past decade (and then some) is disgusting.
Not totally relevant but I know of at least one private only dentist who sends their work to the lab under NHS pricing whilst obviously charging their patients for full private work. It’s this profit over care mentality causing this.
I was on a waiting list that lasted a whole year. Luckily I eventually got a place though.
Kind of interesting to see how dire the situation is. Interestingly, a dentist in my area was just advertising a few days ago that they are taking new NHS patients, so I guess they have a few pockets where it’s not as bad yet.
Fortunately I get my teeth done for a fraction of the price when overseas visiting family.
The only dentist I could get on a waiting list for in Cornwall – was a BUPA by the time I got to the top of the list – and subsequently binned me off. That was in 2014. I tried again recently in my new borough. There’s nothing. Not one.
The thing is if dental surgeries have enough people registered the practices can make enough appointments the whole week round, so they can make their money. To register extra NHS patients is unnecessary for dentists because they already have as many as they need to stay aloft. They wouldn’t mind seeing people privately though because that means hard cash.
I am so glad I registered my son with the practice he is with just a week or two before the Covid started in the Uk. He was under a year then, but when I took the other kids for their routine check ups, the dentist said “oh why don’t you get that little boy checked too, we will register him now”. I said OK, and I am so glad I did because since then no other dentist locally had taken new patients. The last few times we went there, i have noticed people coming in and asking to register, only to be rejected. There probably still are a few surgeries around that take NHS patients, but they probably don’t take many and once the word gets out that a practice is taking patients, they can get swamped and stop taking more. I feel sorry for people now because private dental care, especially for those that are in benefits is extremely expensive.
Tigger warn; child sexual abuse and suicidal ideation
Londoner here: luckily been with my dentist few years and as I have serious dental issues I’ve been seeing them quite regularly over the past year and can get appointments within 1 week or so for routine or 2 days or so for emergencies
I have some work that requires more serious work that the dentist cannot do so im now on waiting list for special care dentrisry at Eastman dental hospital in London
In 2016 I had to wait approx 3 months for an appointment at this hospital.
I’ve been told 1 month ago that another appointment will be at least a year wait if not longer
There’s only one specialist dental hospital in England apparently which is im guessing the hospital
I’ve been before
The work I need is specialist and I don’t believe I can go private for. I could be wrong. Regardless I have no money for private care.
So I have to wait at least a year for my first appointment and based on my last experience it will be 2 years for the special dental work to be done over many appointments
In that time I am without front teeth and seriously in position where I could lose more. I cannot tell you how much this impacts on my confidence. I hate to open my mouth to speak. Strangers ask what’s with your teeth?! It’s so embarrassing. I wear a mask outside but It does not help in all situations.
I have suicidal thoughts that I no longer wish to be alive as the awful image of my teeth is so traumatic
For context I was sexually abused by my grandfather aged 3-9 years old. I have such a complex fear on people putting their fingers in my mouth that I put off going to dentist for almost 20 years as an adult
Apparently it’s quite common and not an unusual impact of CSA
Last few years I’ve had courage to go to dentist and have various mental health help to get me through the process. Combination of sedation, hypnotherapy, breathing excercises etc but mostly cuddling the hell out of a teddy as a 40 year old it’s fun to bring teddies to dentist….
I’m trying to better my life and recently had job interview offers at both Facebook and Amazon but I get scared before and drop out cause I fear rejection based on my teeth
Some days I want to kill my self but whilst I am here my advise would be please keep up with your dental appointments and just keep badgering until you manage to get to see a dentist
If you have similar traumas to mine, please know that dentists are aware of the fear and have techniques to help but they need to know otherwise they’d have no idea
It’s pointless advise but I feel for anyone who is having dentistry issues and I wish you all good luck and happy smiles (plus I hope to smile one day too!)
I contacted a few dentists in West Midlands county and funnily they are accepting new patients for private treatment and none for NHS patients
About time we privatised it and got a proper good service again