NHS Dentist Recommendations.

kyoto49

Well-Known Forumite
My recommendation would be to avoid NHS dentists.

I was supposed to get NHS dentistry for quite a while (I'm now apparantly too rich to benefit :S ), but it was such a terrifying experience that even on a low wage I chose to retain my sanity, and teeth, and go to the lovely David Gardner @ Pure on the Eccleshall Road. It's like a whole differnet world. Such a great Dentist, kind, gentle, respectful and bloody good at what he does. My fear of dentists reduces every time I visit. Yes it costs money, but unless you need loads of work done it's worth 10 times what he actually charges which actually isn't that much!! Give them a ring and see what you think!
 

Jonah

Spouting nonsense since the day I learned to talk
That is far too much of a generalisation @kyoto49 I have been treated by a number of NHS dentists at different surgeries and they have all been as good, if not better, than private dentists.
 

Lucy

Well-Known Forumite
And everyone can benefit from NHS dentistry if they so choose. Probably too far out for you littleme, which is why I haven't suggested, but I have had no problems with Brookhouse Dental in Gnosall, which is at the health centre.
 

kyoto49

Well-Known Forumite
That is far too much of a generalisation @kyoto49 I have been treated by a number of NHS dentists at different surgeries and they have all been as good, if not better, than private dentists.

Bold bit + worse than this particular private dentist I mentioned. I can only give my opinion as I find, which is what I believe the OP was asking for. I recommend David Gardner. I never proifessed to have tried every NHS dentist or Surgery, but the ones I have tried have all been far far worse than what i have experienced @ Pure.
 

Jonah

Spouting nonsense since the day I learned to talk
You can't dismiss all NHS dentists as bad though which is what you have done by saying "avoid NHS dentists".
 

littleme

250,000th poster!
*sigh

@kyoto49 If I had the means to pay for a private Dentist I would of been there like a shot, however I don't. Being as I don't claim any benefits I'm not entitled to free dentistry or an appointment straight away - as I've already stated a broken tooth is not an emergency (according to NHS dentists) & as a new patient you are not entitled to an emergency appointment anyway. Trust me, nearly 2 weeks of taking co-codamol isn't fun (yes, I know I'm only supposed to take it for 3 days).

@bigbluewolf I totally agree with you, the dentist I worked for (not in Stafford) treated both NHS & private patients, the private patients were treated exactly the same as the NHS patients using exactly the same tools & materials...they just got to pay 4 times more than the NHS ones!

@Lucy I drive so Gnosall isn't out of the way - if my rearranged appointment falls through they will probably be my next stop (its either that or the emergency dentist at cannock hospital)
 

Katniss

Well-Known Forumite
I heard that they were taking on new patients at Dentaire in Hednesford. This was a few weeks ago so I don't know if this is the case now but I have heard they are very good and will see you the same day if you are in pain.

http://www.dentaire.co.uk/
 

littleme

250,000th poster!
I heard that they were taking on new patients at Dentaire in Hednesford. This was a few weeks ago so I don't know if this is the case now but I have heard they are very good and will see you the same day if you are in pain.

http://www.dentaire.co.uk/
Ahh, maybe too far. But thanks for the suggestion :)

Who would of thought it would be so difficult to find an NHS dentist that will take a new, non-benefit claiming patient ?


Much more of this & I'm inviting @Carole round, I reckon that between us we have enough Dental nursing experience to fix it!
 
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Katniss

Well-Known Forumite
Ahh, maybe too far. But thanks for the suggestion :)

Who would of thought it would be so difficult to find an NHS dentist that will take a new, non-benefit claiming patient ?


Much more of this & I'm inviting @Carole round, I reckon that between us we have enough Dental nursing experience to fix it!

Fair enough, I actually travel to Lichfield to see my Dentist which is about 30 minutes but I do like driving so I don't mind.
 

proactive

Enjoying a drop of red.
Ahh, maybe too far. But thanks for the suggestion :)

Who would of thought it would be so difficult to find an NHS dentist that will take a new, non-benefit claiming patient ?


Much more of this & I'm inviting @Carole round, I reckon that between us we have enough Dental nursing experience to fix it!
Drink half a bottle of whisky.

Tie string round tooth.

Attach other end of string to door nob.

Slam door shut.

Drink remaining half of whisky.

Pass out.

Job done.


NB other types of alcohol are available. It's not what you drink, but how much that matters here.
 

littleme

250,000th poster!
Drink half a bottle of whisky.

Tie string round tooth.

Attach other end of string to door nob.

Slam door shut.

Drink remaining half of whisky.

Pass out.

Job done.


NB other types of alcohol are available. It's not what you drink, but how much that matters here.
I'm not that brave!
 

kyoto49

Well-Known Forumite
*sigh

@kyoto49 If I had the means to pay for a private Dentist I would of been there like a shot, however I don't. Being as I don't claim any benefits I'm not entitled to free dentistry or an appointment straight away - as I've already stated a broken tooth is not an emergency (according to NHS dentists) & as a new patient you are not entitled to an emergency appointment anyway. Trust me, nearly 2 weeks of taking co-codamol isn't fun (yes, I know I'm only supposed to take it for 3 days).

You describe exactly why I abhor NHS dentistry. A broken tooth is serious, and painful, and you have a right to get decent treatment. The fact that you have been unable to get any treatment in 2 weeks is truly shocking. I also don;'have the means to go private, but I lost 1 tooth because of appalling NHS treatment (it was cheaper to take it out than repair, even though repair was quite possble) and I swore then that as I would only ever have 1 set of teeth they were worth cherishing and spending money on if required.

It's not NHS dentists I abhor mind, it's the system that values cheapness over keeping teeth. This is just morally worng in my opinion especially on teeth that are viable to repair.
 

Bob

Well-Known Forumite
I'm having a bit of a nightmare at the moment.

Wisdom tooth has been playing up on and off for about 9 months now, each time it flairs up its worse than the last time - I saw the emergency dentist about 6 weeks ago and got antibiotics for an infection but was advised that I'd need to get a regular dentist for treatment - it looks like the tooth is trying to come up at a funny angle.

So I'm sitting here in a massive amount of pain, ringing round and everyone is telling me they're not taking on, one practice said they could see me this afternoon for an emergency appointment but it would be £80 but wouldn't include any treatment which just feels like they're out to exploit people.

The emergency dentist said someone would be taking on because they're not allowed to all stop but I have no idea how to find out who I can go to, does anyone know of a local dentist with NHS availability?
 

Thehooperman

Well-Known Forumite

I tried them last week and they're not taking any new NHS patients.

I was registered with the dentist on Eastgate Street but when I rang for an appointment last week they told me I was no longer registered because I didn't have a Denplan.

They've never written or phoned to tell me I needed one whatever a Denplan is.

I've tried most of the Stafford dentists including the NHS dentist in the Civic building but can't find anyone taking new NHS patients. Nearly every dentist I spoke to said they were taking private patients though so yes they are exploiting people.

Anyone know how to get a National Insurance refund?
 
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