Rant about dentists

[Spoked Wheels]

I don't think this thread belongs in the health section but Mods, feel free to move it if you like.

Why do I feel that dentists look at NHS patients as an opportunity to sell their private treatment? Since my old dentist emigrated I have failed to find a dentist that doesn't push the private treatment.
Last year I needed a tooth taken out so I went to see a dentist recommended by somebody I know. First check up and I already felt like he was a car salesman rather than a dentist . He said, "you could do with having a hygiene appointment" I said "you're probably right" he said "shall I book you for an appointment? " "yes please" I said and then he said "free pain cost £x and with a little pain £y" it sent alarms ringing but I just went for the free pain one. The next appointment he was going to extract the tooth and just before he did he said "do you want this injection or this other one that is better?" I said "what is the difference? " and I think he said one is nhs and not very nice but the other cost £x but it's much better for you, it leaves a nice taste in your mouth" Had the tooth taken out, cancelled the hygiene appointment and left. That dentist is unbelievable I thought.
Last week I registered with another dentist cause I lost a filling on one tooth. First check up and he says you need a root canal treatment and a crown £219 on the nhs. I said "so you cannot just replace the filling?" And he said "if i do that you will have pain in a year cause the root is already affected". Looking at the paper that I was given to sign, once at home, I noticed there was a private consultation appointment scheduled for hygiene. I was annoyed with myself that I had actually signed and committed to a private treatment without even noticing it. So I sent an email to the practice saying I would only have the nhs treatment for now and the private appointment would have to wait , no reply. Yesterday was supposed to be the 1st of 2 appointments and I immediately noticed a different plan of action. He wasn't talking about a root canal treatment and a crown but let's see if we can save this tooth and see what we find ( he already had 2 x-rays from 1st appointment on which he based the treatment) He worked on the tooth for a few minutes and then he said "I think the cheaper option for you is a white filling, that is £150, would you like me to do that?" I said what about the crown? He said I would have to cut down too much good tooth to fit the crown and you really don't need that. Then he said " that's what I would do if it was my own tooth" I said ok then, do that. This time I checked the paper I was asked to sign properly and it said private treatment £150 + nhs £18.50. I asked at the desk why a private treatment charge? And they said that is because you had a white filling and that is not covered by nhs. I said how much is an nhs filling? £50.... but it's silver. I said I wasn't given a choice and I wasn't happy about it. So up I went to speak to the dentist.... the explanation was I have too much good tooth for a crown but too little for a silver filling. That smells of BS to me to be honest but I'm not a dentist to know for sure.

I never had issues like that with my old dentist..... please come back Australia is too hot and they have big spiders and snakes.... and big sharks

 

[vernon]

I never had issues like that with my old dentist..... please come back Australia is too hot and they have big spiders and snakes.... and big sharks

So that's where the UK lawyers went when legal aid funding dried up.

 

[Thomk]

I've had dentist problems in the recent past but have a good dental practice now.

 

[Hacienda71]

There is a name for trying to convert NHS patients to private in the dental profession Something like gaming iirc. I know a couple of dentists who do not do NHS work as they want to be totally open about what they will do rather than trying to use the NHS treatment as a way of getting private patients. I had a very frank exchange of views with my dentist when they tried this on me.

 

[Fnaar]

All dental appointments should be made for 2.30.


Seriously though, dental costs can be shocking... I've been there, got the filling, etc. So hang onto your NHS, people, if you don't want all health care to be subject to the same vagaries.

 

[hoopdriver]

Guess I have been lucky. My dentist is very nice and while she is urging a visit to the hygienist, she makes some good points in that I do have gum troubles and this could save me a lot of grief down the road.

I had to have root canal with her last month and while it was not pleasant there was no hard sell, or any of that goofiness.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

You get the government you vote for - Vote Yes, Scotland.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

You get the government you vote for - Vote Yes, Scotland.

Doesn't matter who you vote for, the government always gets in.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

What was your dentists opinion on low fat greek yoghurt?

 

[sidevalve]

Just to point out the NHS is NOT free. The only difference is you pay for it in tax form. At least in the American system of medical insurance [and no before anyone kicks off I am not saying we should do the same] how much you pay and what you get is up to you.

 

[welsh dragon]

£150 for a filling. You were robbed. I have a private dentist, but a filling costs me £35.00. My dentist doesn't do anything on the NHS, but I knew that when I signed up. That's expensive. Go to another dentist. That's the problem if you have a dentist that does both I suppose. They will always try to sell you the more expensive thing.

 

[Cush]

I hate going to the dentists and will put off going as much as I can and mainly for two reasons (1) If I tip my neck back or lie flat I go very dizzy to the point of almost passing out and all the dentists since this came on twenty or so years ago insist on me lying flat. (2) Most dentists seem to have the bedside manner of Adolf Eichmann. As for private V NHS, the difference seems to be a posher surgery and a deeper wallet.

 

[TeeQue]

My current dentist is absolutely brilliant, never pushes private treatment; last time I had a filling I had to specifically ask her if I could have a white one instead (I didn't in the end due to the huge price difference).

 

[swee'pea99]

Recently read (the excellent) This Boy by Alan Johnson, in which he mentions in passing that both of his parents, like any number of their contemporaries, had no teeth at all from an early age, having had the whole lot removed and replaced with falsies, largely to avoid a lifetime of dental bills.

 

[Spoked Wheels]

£150 for a filling. You were robbed. I have a private dentist, but a filling costs me £35.00. My dentist doesn't do anything on the NHS, but I knew that when I signed up. That's expensive. Go to another dentist. That's the problem if you have a dentist that does both I suppose. They will always try to sell you the more expensive thing.

That is exactly how I feel, robbed.

I'd like to report this dentist cause I think he does that to everybody, but I don't think anybody cares so that is why these people get away with it.