Going to the dentist after X years - help!?

Question

I'm not scared of dentists, I just never got around to registering with a new one after leaving my home town when I was a teenager. Now I don't know where to start! I've heard stories about dentists who, knowing that you haven't been for years, will tell you that you need hundreds of pounds of work doing and that worries me. I have two questions, really. One, how do I go about finding and registering with a dentist, how much does it cost, can I get it free on the NHS or is that only for people who are on benefits? Two, how do I know if I'm being ripped off? I mean it'd be rude to ask for a second opinion, right? If there are any dentists reading, how many fillings, extractions etc would you expect someone to need after fifteen years? My teeth don't hurt and I brush and use floss, but I do drink a lot of diet Coke and I hear that can cause problems. I know this is a daft set of questions, and probably too long for anyone to read, but any responses would be much, much appreciated.

I'm in the UK by the way. :)

Answer 1

Go to the NHS direct website and search for dentists. You can do a postcode search for dentists in your area and it'll tell you which ones are accapting NHS patients. You still have to pay on the NHS unless you are on benefits I think but it'll be cheaper that going private. After avoiding dentists for a few years (I do actually detest going!) all I needed was a clean up and two fillings, it costs surprisingly less than you think too!

Good luck and hope this was helpful!

Answer 2

Hi there, the best way to find a decent dentist is to ask people you know to recommend a dentist to you .
The chances are that you probably won't need that much treatment if you've been looking after your teeth , but if the dentist says you do need fillings, ask to see the x-rays . You are entitled to see where the cavities are ( they will show up as dark shadows on a otherwise white area ) but if you get a feeling that you are being ripped off, then follow your instincts and go elsewhere .
To be honest, the Dental Board does keep an eye on dentists, and they do random checks on patients records, often even ask to see certain patients that have had a lot of work done, so unless the dentist can prove that they really were necessary, it could be bad news for the dentist .It's a different story for private dentists though, they can do what they like, so an NHS one would be best, and a lot cheaper.
Treatment is free for people on benefits only, but it's not that expensive if you have to pay ( you can always spread the cost over a period of time anyway ) .
I would avoid teaching hospitals ( speaking from personal experience ) .
Good luck .

Answer 3

Depending on where you are in the UK there are different ways of finding a dentist.

In England you might want to try http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/LocalServices/LocalServices.aspx

Tick the box for Dentist and put in your postcode. There are links on that page for other parts of the UK.

Under the NHS you are perfectly entitled to ask for an estimate before treatment commences.( in fact it is the dentist's statuary duty to do so). You can also do this with any private dentist.

The GDC recommends that all dentists have their price list available whether they are private or NHS.

Cost of treatment varies depending on where you are in the UK and what will require done. There are often different options at different costs. For example a white filling or an amalgam filling, a denture or a bridge.

In answer to your second question, it is never a problem to ask for a second opinion but always beware that different dentists have different clinical opinions and that there are more than one way to perform treatment.
Just because a second opinion is different does not mean that either of them are wrong.

Best thing to do is to find a dentist , get your examination and then ask them.

Length of time between visits and lack of symptoms are neither indicators of amount of treatment needed but if something requires work ask the dentist to show you, either in a mirror or on x-ray. Don't worry about doing that, lots of patients ask to be shown what is about to be done. It is your body your the right to decide what is done to it.

This part is called informed consent. The dentist must tell you all the pros and cons of a treatment as well as alternatives.

Answer 4

I'm not 100% sure, but I think NHS dentists are subsidised, so the price you pay is cheaper than 'private only' dentists. You're only entitled to free treatment if you're on benefits / pregnant / full time student etc.
As above, all practices should be able to tell you over the phone their standard charges for check-ups / fillings etc.
They do saeem awfully fond of recommending treatment, but you don't have to have it all done at once. Just tell them that you have a limited budget and to get a couple of things done at a time in order of priority.
I didn't go to the dentist for years, but the only thing that cost me a lot was having a crown fitted and a molar removed. Like you, I had no pain from my teeth and surprisingly, I only needed a copuple of fillings.

Answer 5

You're completely within your rights to ask what the dentist's prices are. They should be able to provide you with a list. Do some comparison shopping.

You could try one of those dental referral services, like 1-800-dentist. I've never used them, but haven't heard anything bad about them.

Also, when you do get one, be sure to let them know if you have financial difficulties. They'll recommend what you need done first, and many will allow a payment plan.

Answer 6

If you don't have insurance to help guide you try calling 1-800-dentist. My sister did and they gave her 3 referrals in her area. Then call to find out if they have an opening.
Also if you are worried about being ripped off don't tell them how long it has been. If they ask down play it by saying a few years. If they ask why tell them you never got around to finding a new dentist after moving here, until recently.
Good luck.

Answer 7

No it isn't daft at all. What you need to do is get a recommendation from someone you know. Ask around at work and in your family, etc. Most people have a dentist they think is good, because otherwise they's have changed.

You should get right on this because often a good dentist has a waiting list for taking on new patients.

Good Luck!

Answer 8

Try the local dental hospital. Tell them you have no dentist but would be happy to be checked out by the students. You have to be patient, each visit can be over an hour and you will probably need more than one visit. The students are very well supervised and all the treatment is free. I have had 100s of pounds worth of good work done over the years

Answer 9

Since April of this year alot of things in UK dentistry has changed. You only pay one of three fees; £15.50, £42.40 or £189.00. If you pay any more than £189.00 you are being riped off or they are doing some work on a private basis. Alot of dentists only do crown, bridge work and dentures privately but fees should be discussed with you before they start treatment also regardless you should ask for a break down of the cost. As for you being nervous what ever treatment you have done you can ask them for 'gas and air' ( laughing gas ). This will relax you. Its OK to drive and things like that after, its not like having IV sedation or a general anaesthetic. I hope this helps you, i know what its like to be nervous but just explain this to the dentist and I'm sure he/she'll be sympathetic. Good luck.

Answer 10

On the NHS I think you have to pay for work but not check ups. I'm with a private one and it doesnt cost much, 30 quid for my last check up and he said come back in a year instead of 6 months.

I have also heard about lying dentists giving you fillings when you dont need them to earn cash. They are shooting themselves in the foot, go to a private one on recommendation so you dont have that worry. have always been private since I was a child because my parents mouths got filled with un-needed fillings and they didnt want me to have the same. I dont have any fillings and I'm in my 30s.

My boyfriend on the other hand has 9 and has been on the NHS all his life. He always complains about un-needed dental work but I've just got him to go private with my dentist after he stopped going 6 years ago. He had his check up and didnt need any work.

So go private and go on recommendation.