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iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

Why are so many people being left without access to NHS dental services, when the same position would never be tolerated within medical ones?

I have recently, with the greatest reluctance, gone private. I don't really believe in it but my dentist isn't doing NHS work any more. I have occasional problems that mean that I really need dental access at times. I've been going to my dentist for donkey's years, I like him and the practice is always willing to go the extra mile. In any case, I'm more likely to be elected Pope than find another local NHS dentist.

But we've got two incomes to fund this. What is to happen to those who can't afford to go private? This really needs urgent action.

Ian.

Cherskiy · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 12:33 pm Post subject:

As some who answers questions like this one every day at work, Ian, I'd suggest you ring up Northumberland Health Authority in Morpeth and ask where your nearest dentist that is still taking on NHS patients is located. It would at least give you some idea of your potential options.

There's no problem finding a dentist willing to take on NHS patients in Newcastle but it's a bit of a lottery elsewhere in the country. For instance, my cousin who lives north of Inverness would have to travel to Aberdeen to find the nearest one willing to take her on as an NHS patient.

I'm not going to get involved in the politics of the situation but it basically comes down to some dentists feeling that they can't make money from the three-tier system of charges introduced by HMG last April (£15.50 for a check-up/minor treatment, £42.40 for intermediate treatment and £189 for major treatment). That's in England, BTW - the maximum in Scotland and Wales can go up to £384 in Scotland but only £177 in Wales. They have the option of closing their doors to new NHS patients or, as in your case, refusing to do NHS treatment anymore.

Other practices will only treat NHS patients who hold an NHS Low Income Scheme charges certificate (HC2 or HC3) - this scheme helps people with a low income with NHS prescription charges, dental treatment and optical fees. Unfortunately HMG cannot force dentists to work withint the NHS so the present situation has arisen. Some blame the dentists for being greedy, others blame HMG for not compensating dentists enough for doing NHS work.

As for people who can't afford private treatment, some sign up for the dental plans (often @ £10 per month or more depending on an initial assessment). Others travel long distances to their nearest NHS dentist - I've personally spoken to 100s of people living down south who are in this situation. Others apply for the charges certificates to bring the cost down a bit if they have to travel. And the rest? They have little choice other than to pay private fees or let their teeth rot.

Hope that helps.
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Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 1:02 pm Post subject:

We are fortunate in that our NHS Dentist is still taking NHS Patients. They have had to clamp down on those who cannot be bothered to keep appointments. The patient has one re-booking, and if he/she fails to keep that appointment, they are removed from the practice.
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RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

The largest dental practice in this satellite area of Nottingham decided to come out of the NHS last year. Seven partners, so allowing for sickness and holidays, a five day working week and seeing all patients once every 6 months I reckon that's a list of 20,000 - there was not a snowball's chance in hell that many if any of them was going to find an NHS alternative.

We were "invited" to subscribe to a dental insurance plan, which they no doubt receive commission on; for most people this is £10 a month, covering the half-yearly check up and clean & polish, and a discount on any necessary treatment. At the moment those under 21 in full-time education and OAPs are exempt, but this is subject to review. As far as I'm aware there is no assistance or concession for anyone else who may not be able to afford either the plan or payment for ad hoc treatment.

We read almost daily in the local press of another dentist opting out, and occasionally of a new practice within the NHS being set up, accompanied either by photos of a very long queue or an 0870 telephone number because they're taking applications that way to avoid a mad scramble.

As Cherskiy says, it probably varies according to your location, another example of the "postcode lottery". It couldn't have been much worse if they had decided to abolish NHS dentistry altogether, as they did with opticians.

As for the assumption that the same position would never be tolerated within medical services, I'm not sure about that. GPs have been grumbling for years about their remuneration from the NHS, the NHS themselves have raised the possibility of charging patients for "non-essential" treatment, and some local health authorities are tendering GP services and health centres out to the corporate management sector. Watch this space, as they say.
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iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

As some who answers questions like this one every day at work, Ian, I'd suggest you ring up Northumberland Health Authority in Morpeth and ask where your nearest dentist that is still taking on NHS patients is located. It would at least give you some idea of your potential options.
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Thanks, Cherskiy, I'm very grateful. I'll stay with my present dentist for now, for the reasons given in my first posting, but I now know what to do if I ever felt a need to change.

Ian.