Taking the wee lad to the dentist, thought I'd check in myself. Apparently I'm no longer registered with the NHS because I haven't been for six years ... whoops ... oh well. I'm told I can go private ... maybe ... or maybe I'll just wait until I need to use a pair of pliers.
Quick search using the excellent NHS Dentist Finder- nhs.uk/service-search… ... and not an NHS dentist within 20 miles taking patients and that's where the list ran out.
Hmmm, private or pliers? private or pliers? Good thing there's nothing wrong at the mo. Modern Britain eh.
Hmmm, private or pliers? private or pliers? Good thing there's nothing wrong at the mo. Modern Britain eh.
Talking to the dentist ... do you have a waiting list for the NHS? Aparrently they do, a total of 572 people are on the list. Asked how many make it off the list and become NHS patients per year ... apparently none in the last five years.
Wow.
Wow.
Asked do I want a check up?
I did. But given this seems to be focused on making money out of my teeth then I'd rather continue as is and buy several bottles of whiskey and a pair of pliers if things go wrong. Warned about infection ... I'm sure I can still use the NHS for that.
I did. But given this seems to be focused on making money out of my teeth then I'd rather continue as is and buy several bottles of whiskey and a pair of pliers if things go wrong. Warned about infection ... I'm sure I can still use the NHS for that.
Asked how much for the checkup?
£40 + 3 X-Rays (£45) + polish (£65) = £155 plus they have plenty of times available.
But NHS - five years, 0 out of 572 people accepted, so basically ... never.
Gosh, I shudder to think what healthcare will become with the NHS being privatised.
£40 + 3 X-Rays (£45) + polish (£65) = £155 plus they have plenty of times available.
But NHS - five years, 0 out of 572 people accepted, so basically ... never.
Gosh, I shudder to think what healthcare will become with the NHS being privatised.
And if I need work?
Dentist starts reading out a list of prices ... it could be £800 for a tooth out, over £600 per filing ... etc etc.
That's done it. Bottle of whiskey and pliers it is.
Dentist starts reading out a list of prices ... it could be £800 for a tooth out, over £600 per filing ... etc etc.
That's done it. Bottle of whiskey and pliers it is.
Ah ha ... emergency dentistry is available through NHS 111
nhs.uk/nhs-services/d…
Well, that's me covered then.
nhs.uk/nhs-services/d…
Well, that's me covered then.
“We have seen a rise in DIY dentistry during the pandemic where access to a dentist has not been easy” ... can this really be blamed on the pandemic - anxietyuk.org.uk/blog/three-diy… ....
... when you start looking, from before the pandemic, "The rise of DIY dentistry: Britons doing their own fillings to avoid NHS bill" - theguardian.com/society/2015/a…
... I'll note “We’re finding patients who’ve rung practices across the north asking to register as an NHS patient only to be told the NHS lists are full and they can only register as a private patient” ... sounds familiar.
So, how bad is dental inequality in the UK? Are we heading towards those more Victorian images of dentistry i.e. a couple of glugs of rum and a friend with a mallet or pliers?
25% of UK Households Have Performed DIY Dentistry During the Lockdown - dentistrytoday.com/25-of-uk-house…
25% of UK Households Have Performed DIY Dentistry During the Lockdown - dentistrytoday.com/25-of-uk-house…
Millions 'missing out' on NHS dentistry - bbc.co.uk/news/health-50… ... pre "pandemic" ... oh, the quote "Dentaid, a charity which normally works in developing countries, but is increasingly being asked to help people in England" says it all.
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