Dentists-Are you NHS, private or have Denplan ?

Re: Dentists-Are you NHS, private or have Denplan ?

Freckle — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:09:48 GMT

thankyou - will try pct first - do you know if they operate out of hours as it were? i struggle to phone official types as i work 8-5.30 - add on travelling time and most offices are shut. grr!

grrr at life in general at the mo - not having a good time, and dentists are the least of my worries to be honest! lol!

Re: Dentists-Are you NHS, private or have Denplan ?

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:56:17 GMT

I would look at a case of breach of contract. The fact is that you agreed to the teeth being repaired at x. You were not informed of any change and now they have pulled the rug out. With things as they are speak to citizens advice or a lawyer.

Re: Dentists-Are you NHS, private or have Denplan ?

Sal the 1st — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:38:20 GMT

get in touch with your pct - the number will be in the book - you may still have to go on a list but they are obliged to find you an NHS dentist.

Re: Dentists-Are you NHS, private or have Denplan ?

Freckle — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:32:28 GMT

I am seriously narked with my dentists!

Signed up for NHS - had 2 treatments and booked in for 3rd - arrived there, and they told me that the only NHS dentist there had left (thanks for letting me know!) and that they werent replacing him! Best they could do was to put me on a 12 mth waiting list for another practice!!

I wouldn't mind, but have a problem with hereditary, awful teeth, and was halfway through treatment!!

Can't afford private, as on min wage and working single mum.... I have a card for free NHS tx, but can't find anywhere that will provide it!!

Thank goodness for ibuprofen!!

Re: Dentists-Are you NHS, private or have Denplan ?

Mrs Dot Dot — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 08:47:11 GMT

Just a quick update .... I popped into a dentist just round the corner from work, that is part of the same group as my dentist (I didn't know this) and one of their dentists is taking on new NHS patients... they have a list, and it may take 6mths but they will contact me when there is a space and get all my dental records transfered..... which sounds ideal! It was as easy as that!

So thanks for the useful info, folks, you are great!

Re: Dentists-Are you NHS, private or have Denplan ?

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:38:55 GMT

Helga said she has no dealings with denplan so honestly doesnt know her practice doesn't use them.

Re: Dentists-Are you NHS, private or have Denplan ?

Mrs Dot Dot — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:13:46 GMT

[quote user="Debbie Summers"]

I had this happen to me when I was 19! (I'm 36 in 2 days!!!) My NHS practice suddenly converted to Denplan / Private only, and I was left without NHS dentistry for several years. I was lucky enough to have no problems! I did eventually give in and registered with a private dentist (I also had HSA cover), but like you resented paying when I've had to pay NI contributions all my working life!

Last year, whilst I had my maternity exemption, I decided to make the effort to find an NHS dentist, so that I could make full use of the exemption. I was lucky - I found this link

http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/ServiceSearch.aspx?ServiceType=Dentist

and located a dentist who was not too far away, and was accepting new NHS patients.

Don't know where you both are, but it may be worth trying this if you haven't already.

Good luck, but be aware Denplan is not the only option!!!! It is like Bupa, but for teeth!!!!!!!

[/quote]

Hello... thanks for that.... I need to get on the phone and do something about it, rather than just mulling about it!!!

Re: Dentists-Are you NHS, private or have Denplan ?

Debbie Summers — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 11:38:45 GMT

Last year, whilst I had my maternity exemption, I decided to make the effort to find an NHS dentist, so that I could make full use of the exemption. I was lucky - I found this link

http://www.nhs.uk/servicedirectories/Pages/ServiceSearch.aspx?ServiceType=Dentist

and located a dentist who was not too far away, and was accepting new NHS patients.

Don't know where you both are, but it may be worth trying this if you haven't already.

Good luck, but be aware Denplan is not the only option!!!! It is like Bupa, but for teeth!!!!!!!

Re: Dentists-Are you NHS, private or have Denplan ?

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 09:25:22 GMT

B said he will have a word with helga today so will badger him later for update...and to remind him!

Re: Dentists-Are you NHS, private or have Denplan ?

Sal the 1st — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:41:11 GMT

read the bit that Caro put up - looks like an even split, about half and half unhappy/happy

Re: Dentists-Are you NHS, private or have Denplan ?

Mrs Dot Dot — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:31:57 GMT

I really felt that they offered no other option other than Denplan, and the girl who was talking to everyone about it, said that just because we pay/ have paid NI contributions, we shoudn't expect NHS dental treatment... when I said why not? you can't blame people for expecting it, she didn't really have an answer... which narked me!

So Sal, I was wondering the same as you re an incentive plan for joining... this must be not legal?

Re: Dentists-Are you NHS, private or have Denplan ?

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:28:43 GMT

Speak of the devil just found the following

Re: Dentists-Are you NHS, private or have Denplan ?

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:26:10 GMT

B is at the parachute center l know helga is there l will ask him to ask her tomorrow re dentists and money also what her opinon is of denplan. If he doesnt l will ask next weekend as she should be there then.

Re: Dentists-Are you NHS, private or have Denplan ?

Sal the 1st — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:20:33 GMT

Mrs Dot Dot - that is the information I was given from the emergency dentist here and they gave me a number for the PCT. I contacted them and initially was put on a waiting list but was advised to ring them again by the emergency dentist because it was ongoing treatment they have found me a local dentist pretty quickly. Hope it is the same for your area? The other one to consider is if you have a rejuvadent dentist in your area that runs an emergency dental service - sometimes they take on NHS clients.

Re denplan - do dentists receive some sort of incentive to sign up clients? - just wondering as my previous dentist was so insistent I should take it on.

Re: Dentists-Are you NHS, private or have Denplan ?

Caro Laithwaite VN — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:11:26 GMT

My folks have denplan and it is from what l can see a waste of time check closely at what your 15£ would give you. Well my dad has lapsed as is so long ago and anyhow after today and trip to emergency dentist he now has a referral in the offing as no dentist will touch him.With his heath, scoliosis and medication regime.

I can see another hospital stay coming up post bleeding and tooth removal. Lots of them l think the ones left have rotted up top and he has sever tooth ache. On antib an ibuporophen l know not good idea on his set of drugs but as l said f**k it he has enough pain and paracetomol wont touch the pain. The pharmacist agreed and said just stick to min dose neurophen.

Re: Dentists-Are you NHS, private or have Denplan ?

Mrs Dot Dot — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 22:01:36 GMT

Hi Sal... I do feel like I am being railroaded into joining Denplan but haven't really looked into any other options properly (is on my never-ending list of things to do!). I have just been mulling on it for the last few months........

I will look at HSA and contact PCT ... didn't realise they were required to find you an NHS dentist. Thanks for that!

Re: Dentists-Are you NHS, private or have Denplan ?

Sal the 1st — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 21:55:29 GMT

I had to go private like yourself because there were no NHS dentists taking on patients. My dentist (the one previous to the one I have just changed to) used to charge a fee for remaining on their list - and if you missed a check up you were off anyway! They strongly recommnded Denplan and I think I was told it would be £20 per month but I did not take it out against their advice because I already had some cover with HSA. The dentist was very unhappy about this and actually told me 'on your head be it!' I really felt like I was being railroaded to take out Denplan.

Have you thought about something like HSA - doesnt cover the full costs but it is also cheaper per month so may be more cost effective for you?

I dont blame you for not wanting to take the denplan policy. Have you tried contacting your Primary Care Trust re finding you a NHS dentist - they are required to do this. There should be a number in the phone book, if not you may be able to find it online or get it through NHSdirect/emergency dentist. It may be that you have to go on a waiting list but I believe they have to find you a place within 6 months, (this is not well publicised and is from information I have followed in the last 3 weeks from the PCT here)

Good luck with whatever happens -