I get stressed out every time I go to the dentist and have to pay exhorbitant fees to have my teeth seen to £550 for a cap and small infill. It's not my fault that I can't get NHS treatment as my dentist went private and I like many others can't get another NHS dentist. As the government have allowed this disgraceful state of afairs to come about they should at least give us taxpayers some form of reccompense as they are failing to provide a service that they have promised. :mad2:

Oh God mazwad - don't get me started on dentists - my life seems to be one long battle with one or another!!

When I was a poor impoverished student, I knocked around with a crowd, one of whom was a dentist - he said come to my practice - so I did. I honestly did not realise there was a difference and I htought because I was a student I would be automatically NHS.

Well the surgery was like a Hollywood film set - plush and tasteful leather and antiques - I had a filling and was charged 99 GBP!!! I argued my corner and they evetually agreed to see me as an 'independent'. Which is between NHS and private!!

I eventually found an NHS dentist - who low and behold went private after a couple of years. So we found another - who went the same way.

We have finally found one, who is pretty good - but they have just moved into more prestigious premises - and I just have a feeling in my water that they are going to go the same way.

The gov are pants and liars - no more needs to be said!!

I am straying slightly off the topic here but you guys have it great in the UK. NHS anything.. Here the dentist is very pricey, the GP costs 50 euros just for an appointment as does a visit to casualty. If you go into hospital and not privately insured, you leave with a bill of around 350 euros If you get a prescription you pay the price of the drugs not a prescription of £7 or whatever is in the UK. I know the govt has made promises that can be challenged upon but you guys have it good.

I am straying slightly off the topic here but you guys have it great in the UK. NHS anything.. Here the dentist is very pricey, the GP costs 50 euros just for an appointment as does a visit to casualty. If you go into hospital and not privately insured, you leave with a bill of around 350 euros If you get a prescription you pay the price of the drugs not a prescription of £7 or whatever is in the UK. I know the govt has made promises that can be challenged upon but you guys have it good.

Nevertheless people are paying compulsory NHS contributions from their salary to cover NHS dental treatment and understandably feel ripped off if it isn't available.

Nevertheless people are paying compulsory NHS contributions from their salary to cover NHS dental treatment and understandably feel ripped off if it isn't available.
Live in Ireland for a year and if you can still say that, I'll eat my hat!
Of course, every govt can be challenged - all I am saying is that the NHS is a fantastic asset.

Live in Ireland for a year and if you can still say that, I'll eat my hat!
Of course, every govt can be challenged - all I am saying is that the NHS is a fantastic asset.

Well, yes it is, but what I am saying in the context of dentistry is it's a bit rich to have to pay a contribution for your NHS dental treatment, then because it's unavailable you have to pay for private treatment. In effect you are paying twice.

Well, yes it is, but what I am saying in the context of dentistry is it's a bit rich to have to pay a contribution for your NHS dental treatment, then because it's unavailable you have to pay for private treatment. In effect you are paying twice.
I take your point SF. Surely it is illegal.

Wow you lot have dentists - when moved down here the uni's health services advise on getting a dentist was to ask my ex husband if he would let me continue to use his address so I could keep my dentist in Perth - on good day at least 9 hr round trip

In my last job i had free dental insurance, and im seriously considering taking it out again now and paying for it myself. It shouldnt cost too much a month .... but there are no NHS dentists around here that are taking on new patients, and i dont want to have to travel to Essex twice a year (and having to take the day off work) just to have a checkup.

Even though i used to get dental insurance i still went NHS (and claimed the tiny NHS fee) as i was scared to give it up .... so i could still use the same surgery, but what a waste of time !!!!

Tell me about it Maz....my NHS changed over to private and I had no choice to stay with him as there were no NHS places left in my area....it costs me £42 a time now and I have to have a small filling next time I go which will set me back a further £35!

They are supposedly building a new dental surgey with room for 10,000 patients....I am still waiting!

When my dentist when over to private care, I moved to another dentist that was providing NHS care, but I found the care I got was so inferior to my other dentist, that after about a year I went back to the original one. I now pay so much per month for an insurance plan to cover the majority of my dental costs.

My point actually is why when we all have to pay our taxes should it be such a lottery as to whether you can get NHS treatment. If you chose private dentistry then fair enough but to have no choice is not fair. I am lucky enough to get PPP free with my firm, well I say free, I get taxed on it. I pay to have my husband covered as well but get no rebate on my NI contributions. I do realise we are lucky to have the NHS but its not exactly free is it.

I totally agree, it is a disgusting state of affairs. Dentists are now being offered more money to entice them to stay NHS.

Dinnae worry - in a few years time, I will treat you all* for free**!





*3 members max - first come, first served basis
**plus £20 consultation fee

My point actually is why when we all have to pay our taxes should it be such a lottery as to whether you can get NHS treatment. If you chose private dentistry then fair enough but to have no choice is not fair. I am lucky enough to get PPP free with my firm, well I say free, I get taxed on it. I pay to have my husband covered as well but get no rebate on my NI contributions. I do realise we are lucky to have the NHS but its not exactly free is it.


I do agree with you Mazwad. I really object to having to go private, as I can ill afford it, as I am a single mum, but unfortunately the dentist treated his NHS patients as 2nd class citizens and the treatment was always rushed. To be honest I doubt he is NHS dentist, now as he was always trying to persuade me to go private.

It is wrong that it is really difficult to find a good NHS dentist, everyone should be able to recieve this treatment free!

everyone should be able to recieve this treatment free!
I wouldn't go that far! :wacko:

*3 members max - first come, first served basis
**plus £20 consultation fee

Am I first come pj?? Stuff the £20 lets call it a round £20 with a pint or two afterwards???:wink2:

I totally agree, it is a disgusting state of affairs. Dentists are now being offered more money to entice them to stay NHS.

Dinnae worry - in a few years time, I will treat you all* for free**!





*3 members max - first come, first served basis
**plus £20 consultation fee
me me me ever thought of moving south I hve plenty to be done

I totally agree, it is a disgusting state of affairs. Dentists are now being offered more money to entice them to stay NHS.

Dinnae worry - in a few years time, I will treat you all* for free**!





*3 members max - first come, first served basis
**plus £20 consultation fee
Will you pay my flight fares too or will you be racist/travellist whatever (desperate measure call for desperate means)

I'm very lucky, my dentist is NHS. She is a VERY principled lady & is adamant that she will not pester her clients to go private - I have seen her give short shrift to a Denplan rep who tried to change her mind.

However, she is an older dentist & when she retires, I have no doubt that I will not be so lucky with whoever takes over the practice.

Just out of interest, has anyone asked the if they can have a refund on the portion of their NI that covers dental treatment if they go private? Am not terribly optimistic of a positive answer, would just be interested in the response.

Now there's an interesting thought would it be the minister for health, do they deal with the contributions, does anyone know who would be the best person to petition to should I start with my local MP or should I aim straight for the top.