NHS Dentists

O

Ollygon

Well-known member
I've stuck with NHS dentists all of my life, and have always had excellent service.

I've now received a letter telling me that from 1st July my dental practice will now only offer private dentistry. To get a standard of service similar to the one I currently enjoy, they're suggesting I go on to Denplan for "just" £54.30 per month.

In the letter, my practice tells me that while their costs have risen by 35% since Brexit and Covid, Government funding has lagged way behind, and they can no longer recruit staff to work on NHS patients.

They say they understand that NHS dentistry is not widely accessible across the country. I've looked on the NHS Dentist website and there's no practice on the Fylde Coast where new NHS patients are being taken on.

The practice encourages me to contact my local MP "to highlight concerns and push this nationwide health issue up the government's agenda"

Just another example of underfunding of the Health Service, and creeping privatisation by this Government.

What a shower!!!!
 
Ollygon said:
I've stuck with NHS dentists all of my life, and have always had excellent service.

I've now received a letter telling me that from 1st July my dental practice will now only offer private dentistry. To get a standard of service similar to the one I currently enjoy, they're suggesting I go on to Denplan for "just" £54.30 per month.

In the letter, my practice tells me that while their costs have risen by 35% since Brexit and Covid, Government funding has lagged way behind, and they can no longer recruit staff to work on NHS patients.

They say they understand that NHS dentistry is not widely accessible across the country. I've looked on the NHS Dentist website and there's no practice on the Fylde Coast where new NHS patients are being taken on.

The practice encourages me to contact my local MP "to highlight concerns and push this nationwide health issue up the government's agenda"

Just another example of underfunding of the Health Service, and creeping privatisation by this Government.

What a shower!!!!
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A well trodden path for me.

Was kicked from my dentist after not seeing them for two years. Reminded them that there's been a pandemic on and that when I did call in that period for intense pain (eventual extraction), was told the dentist was out for the day and to ring the emergency dentist. They also kindly informed that they would have kicked the kids too but were prevented from doing this by law. Nice one.

Went through all of the channels suggested to you - complained to NHS Pals, spoke to the local Healthwatch etc. Nearest dentist taking on was in Leeds and the response I got from the NHS was, "Maybe you should consider broadening your search."

Have decided to give up and preserve my dignity/time. Go through the emergency dentist if needed but it's obviously far from ideal. My sincere advice to you would be not to bother with those emails - complete waste of time.
 
NHS
Band 1: £23.80 Covers examination & diagnosis. If necessary, includes X-rays, a scale and polish, and planning for further treatment.
Band 2: £65.20 Covers all treatment included in Band 1, plus treatment, such as fillings, root canal treatment and extractions.
Band 3: £282.80 Covers all treatment included in Bands 1 and 2, plus crowns, dentures and bridges.

PRIVATE
Examination £75...Scale & Polish £75......X-Rays £30 per item
Fillings £120....Root Canal...£200+.....Extractions.....£130+
Crowns....£250......Dentures £400+.....Bridges..£200+

The reason dentists are leaving the NHS is economics.......20 Check ups a day on NHS = £280.......20 Check ups a day on Private....£750.....
You can turnover £500k a year from a decent Dental practice.......You would turn over less that £100K if that was NHS

Government have to double the charges and (in certain areas) there may just be return to NHS......but 90% will stay private
Anybody here want to do their job for £5ph.....While the guy doing the same job gets £20ph...?
 
rockontommy said:
A well trodden path for me.

Was kicked from my dentist after not seeing them for two years. Reminded them that there's been a pandemic on and that when I did call in that period for intense pain (eventual extraction), was told the dentist was out for the day and to ring the emergency dentist. They also kindly informed that they would have kicked the kids too but were prevented from doing this by law. Nice one.

Went through all of the channels suggested to you - complained to NHS Pals, spoke to the local Healthwatch etc. Nearest dentist taking on was in Leeds and the response I got from the NHS was, "Maybe you should consider broadening your search."

Have decided to give up and preserve my dignity/time. Go through the emergency dentist if needed but it's obviously far from ideal. My sincere advice to you would be not to bother with those emails - complete waste of time.
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Many thanks Tommy
 
Been kicked off twice from the same practice so now on my third dentist each time they have built up NHS clientele and then gone private at extortionate rates.
The last dentist even gave me a sales pitch when I explained what he was charging for one year I hadn't spent with him in nearly ten years he couldn't reply.

Got my parents in at the NHS practice on South King Street (now in portacabins on the car park)they seem to be OK.
 
JJpool said:
Ahh shit, didn't get that far down 🤣

He's an absolute legend on that show, done so many mad things you wouldn't believe.
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Absolutely. I can watch the compilations on YouTube over and over.
I’ve just read his autobiography, he’s a comedy genius!
👍
 
1966_and_all_that said:
It's not the dentists who are nasty grabbing people here; it's the Government who won't properly support the dentistry branch of the NHS. It's a disgrace and needs full exposure in the press.
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Zzzzzzz…..do you not take a break mate….DO YOU SERIOUSLY think that blathering on here is affecting anything in real Life, influencing a single person??…serious question. Do something active with your energy and time if you are committed. Just typing on here is a massive Cop Out isn’t it?
 
Bloodtangerine said:
Zzzzzzz…..do you not take a break mate….DO YOU SERIOUSLY think that blathering on here is affecting anything in real Life, influencing a single person??…serious question. Do something active with your energy and time if you are committed. Just typing on here is a massive Cop Out isn’t it?
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Actually, I can walk and chew gum at the same time.
 
Well I've sent an email to that Benton character, for what it's worth & I'd urge more to do similar. It's a disgrace.
 
WOW cannot believe ,what i am reading on here thought Spain was expensive ,cost for check up clean and polish 50 euro ,had quad crown 240 euro per tooth ,extraction, 50 euro , filling 50 euro.(roughly euro v pound ave 1.12 euro to pound).
 
Band 3 would work out as 3,400 per year. To make that economically viable, you'd need to be having 2 annual checkups, 7 root canals and 7 crowns a year. It's a disgrace. You're best off putting that money into a savings account and using it for treatment if it's needed.
 
Ollygon said:
I've stuck with NHS dentists all of my life, and have always had excellent service.

I've now received a letter telling me that from 1st July my dental practice will now only offer private dentistry. To get a standard of service similar to the one I currently enjoy, they're suggesting I go on to Denplan for "just" £54.30 per month.

In the letter, my practice tells me that while their costs have risen by 35% since Brexit and Covid, Government funding has lagged way behind, and they can no longer recruit staff to work on NHS patients.

They say they understand that NHS dentistry is not widely accessible across the country. I've looked on the NHS Dentist website and there's no practice on the Fylde Coast where new NHS patients are being taken on.

The practice encourages me to contact my local MP "to highlight concerns and push this nationwide health issue up the government's agenda"

Just another example of underfunding of the Health Service, and creeping privatisation by this Government.

What a shower!!!!
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Just been accepted at King Street NHS dentist 01253 620552.
Might be worth a bell to see if you can get in or put on waiting list.
Currently waiting for equipment until they move to new buildings down the street.
 
poolseasider said:
Just been accepted at King Street NHS dentist 01253 620552.
Might be worth a bell to see if you can get in or put on waiting list.
Currently waiting for equipment until they move to new buildings down the street.
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yep, I'm there as well.
 
Fargo99 said:
Contact Benton or Maynard see what they advise.
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I did.

Scott
All the people I talk to are becoming increasingly concerned that the dental side of the NHS, is being phased out. So I challenge you to prove us all wrong & put in place sufficient funding to make this attractive to many dental practices that are now only taking private patients. For people earning in excess of £80,000 the private charges are a drop in the ocean, whereas the majority on low wages can barely afford even the NHS charges (if they can still find an NHS dentist) So to use a term frequently banded about at the moment, how about levelling up this injustice. Please don't quote figures as to how much funding there has been, let us see with our eyes a marked improvement into what are essential public services. Do you want this government to be labelled toothless!
Regards

The reply came with the most blasé link to some reform, make of it what you will.

Thank you for your e-mail.

NHS dentistry is not being phased out. I am committed to improving NHS dentistry and reforming the current NHS dental contract that was introduced by the last Labour Government. The Government is currently consulting on reforming the NHS dental contract in order to improve NHS dental services. This will lead to improved dental services in Blackpool.

Dental Contract Reform | NHSBSA

Dental Contract Reform | NHSBSA
The aim of the dental contract reform programme is to: encourage patients to take responsibility for their oral health, with the support of the practice team
www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk


Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Best wishes,

Scott
 
Sooty59 said:
I did.

Scott
All the people I talk to are becoming increasingly concerned that the dental side of the NHS, is being phased out. So I challenge you to prove us all wrong & put in place sufficient funding to make this attractive to many dental practices that are now only taking private patients. For people earning in excess of £80,000 the private charges are a drop in the ocean, whereas the majority on low wages can barely afford even the NHS charges (if they can still find an NHS dentist) So to use a term frequently banded about at the moment, how about levelling up this injustice. Please don't quote figures as to how much funding there has been, let us see with our eyes a marked improvement into what are essential public services. Do you want this government to be labelled toothless!
Regards

The reply came with the most blasé link to some reform, make of it what you will.

Thank you for your e-mail.

NHS dentistry is not being phased out. I am committed to improving NHS dentistry and reforming the current NHS dental contract that was introduced by the last Labour Government. The Government is currently consulting on reforming the NHS dental contract in order to improve NHS dental services. This will lead to improved dental services in Blackpool.

Dental Contract Reform | NHSBSA

Dental Contract Reform | NHSBSA
The aim of the dental contract reform programme is to: encourage patients to take responsibility for their oral health, with the support of the practice team
www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk


Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Best wishes,

Scott
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We should have a whip round, and buy him a chocolate teapot.

That's more useful than his reply.
 
EagleDay said:
Maybe giving free education to medical students if they contract with the NHS for 6-10 years would help alleviate the problem we have with staffing?
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There are a ton of ways that Government could incentivise increased levels of training of British medical students (be they doctors or dentists) but they simply aren't willing to do so.

The decline of this country isn't an accident; it is policy.
 
Wizzerboy said:
That's why he's on would I lie to you🤦‍♂️
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Not really, he was on because he's a famous funny guest, I bet the crew were surprised just how many mad things he'd done, he kept returning as he's the best guest they had, with a never ending supply of mad stories.
 
JJpool said:
Not really, he was on because he's a famous funny guest, I bet the crew were surprised just how many mad things he'd done, he kept returning as he's the best guest they had, with a never ending supply of mad stories.
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That are unbelievable, hence why he's on so often.
Let's leave it there eh!!
 
Wizzerboy said:
That are unbelievable, hence why he's on so often.
Let's leave it there eh!!
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Wwll obviously.

Pretty sure when he first went on he didn't say I once knew Steve by the way and all the other mad characters, did my own dentistry, crafted my own beer with a guy in met in a field, played i do beg your pardon but we are in your garden etc etc etc.

A lot he may have done since first going on.

Hes like the gift that keeps on giving.
 
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