HOW DOES THE U.K NHS DENTAL SYSTEM WORK?

HOW DO YOU GET INTO THE DENTISTS THESE DAYS?


IM APPARENTLY, NOT REGISTERED WITH A DENTIST AND IVE TRIED TO REGISTER IN SHROPSHIRE WITH LOADS BUT NO PLACES ARE AVAILABLE? DO WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY SYSTEM FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK BUT ARE NOT REGISTERED BUT DONT WANT TO PAY PRIVATELY??


(MY FILLING HAS FALLEN OUT)


PLEASE HELP, IM IN AGONY!!!

HOW DOES THE U.K NHS DENTAL SYSTEM WORK?
Hi Victoria


I work in an NHS Dental Practice in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Its called No Worries Dentistry, and we are still taking on new patients. There is no waiting list. Just give us a ring and we can get you an appointment. Our number is 01743 465473.


Best Wishes
Reply:.


There's an emergency dentist service (run by the NHS) where I live, ring any dentist and ask (or try NHS Direct. I can't believe I suggested that!).





I'm pretty certain the NHS has to provide for emergencies (or people would be in agony if they couldn't afford to pay), I'm not sure if local hospitals end up doing it there days.





More and more dentists are leaving the NHS, mine left last year and now I'm forced to pay for a private healthcare scheme.





There's an NHS waiting list you can get on with your local health authority but to be honest I don't think you'll reach the top of it.





Blame the government, it's what the dentists seem to be doing!
Reply:Under new arrangements announced by the Department of Health in 2003, Primary Care Trusts will be required to commission dental services and dentists will be paid for delivering local contracts to meet patients' oral health needs, rather than for each item of treatment. The Department set an April 2005 target date for implementation but, in response to consultation, in July 2004 announced that the changes would be implemented from October 2005.





The Primary Care Trusts will be assuming new roles and responsibilities for implementing the new system, but have little experience of high street dentistry. They will need to develop appropriate expertise and resources to implement and manage the new arrangements and to encourage dentists to maintain and increase their commitment to NHS dentistry.





The NAO has identified problems of access to NHS dentists, particularly in some areas. NHS expenditure on high street dentistry has increased steadily over the years but it has not kept pace with other NHS spending. While 98.5 per cent of the population of England and Wales is within 5 miles of a high street dentist providing NHS services, dentists may not provide a full range of NHS treatments and many are not registering new NHS patients.





Poor oral health is associated with social deprivation. Some areas where there are high levels of social deprivation have relatively few dentists and it can be difficult to attract dentists to set up practices in these areas and for dentists to sell their practices. In more affluent areas, patients may experience difficulties registering for NHS treatments because dentists have reduced their commitment to NHS dentistry, following the Department of Health’s decision in 1992 to cuts fees. The NAO point out that, over the last ten years, private dentistry has grown several-fold, with over a quarter of adult patients who visit the dentist paying for some private treatment.
Reply:try the nhs direct web site look for dentists and type in the area you want to go to and you`ll see a list of all the dentist who have open books. i`ve got to travel 30 miles for mine. good luck.
Reply:Go to your doctor %26amp; tell him whats happened %26amp; he should refer you to an NHS dental hospital for emergency treatment which will b free of charge on the NHS as it should be classed as an emergency.So you need 2 get ur Doctor to refer you.
Reply:the dental system is currently very poor , particularly as dentists no longer have to 'register' you , if you are lucky then you may find one that will see you for regular treatment





if you are in pain then you should be able to get into a dental acess centre for a one off treatment but its mostly for pain and not for routine treatment. ie a filling will be a temporary filling.





NHS Direct 0845 46 47 will have the most recent info on any dentists taking on, but be warned that it is unlikely that there are any. You can contact the Primary Care Trust and see if you can put your name down on a waiting list- which seems pointless but would stand you in better stead than most if a dentist turns up.





I have recently taken out Axa ppp health care insurance , which i know is still paying privately but their cashback plan means you get something back


also if you ring around private dentists they are not all totally extortianate although many are.


good luck.


also many people are travelling to Poland as dental work can be done by drop in!


also in response to the above comment, a filling or cap e.t.c will not be classed as an emergency. you only get referred to a dental hospital if you have a special need.
Reply:In order to get treatment as quickly as possible:





1. Call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. They will advise you regarding the availability of NHS dentistry in your area. I work much too far from Shropshire to help you I'm afraid.





2. Failing NHS Direct, you may need to pay privately. An emergency appointment for a lost filling is unlikely to cost you hundreds and the dentist can take the time they need to help you. Private dentistry can also offer a wider/ more modern range of treatments than those available on the NHS in any case.





3. Without sounding too cynical, this problem was probably preventable- try and visit the dentist regularly in future once this problem is sorted. You will save time, money and pain this way believe me.
Reply:hi im a dental nurse in telford if u pay ur council tax in the shropshire area u can register with us its white cross dental centre stafford park 1 unit 2 hollinswood court and our num is 01952 290869 we r currently taking on nhs patients the fees are for emergency treatment its £15.50 then u will come back for ur general check and an exam scale and polish is agen £15.50 (this also include any xrays) if u need any treatment (like fillings, extractions) you will then pay £26.90 as well as ur £15.50 to make the overall cost for all ur treatment £42.40 but if u need any crowns bridges or dentures it will be £189.00 which also include all of the above if u need it
Reply:To the people who point the finger to blame the dentist for not seeing Medicaid patients, I hope you read this and find out how hard it is for ALL people in the UK to find dental care.





"How does the UK NHS system work?"





The apparent answer is, "Poorly, at best."
Reply:The thing is that a dentist in the uk is a dentist. Some have agreed to work within the NHS (or at least try to) and some will work privately, but the is no actual difference in the dentist. Some will do a bit of both.





UK dentists are responsible for their own business costs, including staff, accommodation and equipment. So if the dentist is given a rubbish deal by their primary care trust (for NHS treatment) they are more likely to see private patients. And at the end of the day the NHS is not a bottomless pit, it is paid for by tax payers, so there is only so much money available.





Since April 2006, the primary care trust you are in will have decided how much money to make available for dentistry, rather than the government direct. This means that is in some places the access to dentistry will be better than before, and in some places it is worse.





But please don't blame the dentists, who are on the whole trying to make the best of things, treat patients as best as possible and trying to run the business as well! Shop around and try and find a cheaper private dentist if you can't find an NHS one, you may be surprised how little it could cost you.
Reply:Ring the dental helpline 02380 338 336


They can arrange NHS emergency appointments for you the same day and also tell you any NHS dentists taking on patients in your area (sometimes you have to get on waiting list)


Hope you find one soon.
Reply:Go to the nhs web site and fill in your postcode it will list all the dentists who are taking on new patients.


There is usually an emergency dentist that you can go to, or does your town or a nearby one have a dental school which you can go to.