Anyone need a dentist?

I think crafty is being very realistic. In actual fact dental practices never had to close and no one can make them open either. My bet is that wholly private practices will open first and there’ll continue to be a problem for NHS patients with emergency treatment remaining the default position. I’ve just had an email from my dentist ( wholly private ) with no date yet but details of how they will operate once open. The detail is incredible including staying outside until rung on your mobile to enter. The volume of patients treated will be tiny because of all the restrictions. My guess is that it is the indemnity providers who call the shots and no dentist will practice without it for obvious reasons including being struck off.

I cannot see NHS dental work being back to close to normal any time this year.

If they open it will be mainly extractions I think.

Mine has posted on FB, saying that they are preparing to open but asking us to be patient as they will have to deal with urgent cases first.

NHS Dentists will have to open as they have quotas to fill. These have been adjusted but the Government won't keep paying them to do nothing.

There was an interview on BBC1 this morning, Naga interviewing a dentist who explained the case very well. There is no forseeable hope of getting back to normal service for quite some time. It an absolute shambles on behalf of the government and the GDC. Dentists will not put themselves and their patients at risk. Don`t forget they are working inches from patients mouths, much closer than ICU doctors and nurses in hospital

I am sure that NHS dentists will not allow themselves to become cannon fodder. Would you?

dentist close contact is back to work on 8th. Will be working in rota, prioritising existing patients in order of urgency. All prior existing appointments are cancelled and gov advice at present is emergencies only. That is it, all I know and glad of denplan

I’m still waiting for yet another phone call from the Hub. They’re full up today and so my dentist will ring at five o clock. I suspect he’ll prescribe more antibiotics. Thank God the dentists are opening on the 8th. I can’t wait, and I normally hate going to the dentist.

Dentists have to have indemnity cover before anything else - quotas are irrelevant.

Perhaps he will see you at tooth hurty tomorrow maddy ?
Excuse the old joke.Hope all who need dental services will get appointments very soon.

maddy I’m not being a Cassandra but from the 8 June doesn’t necessarily mean on the 8 June. You might be lucky but there’s no guarantees.

I know, thanks for your comments and concern. I very much think he’ll prescribe more antibiotics this time. I think the Dental Hub is only open Mon-Fri lemon. I’m not in agony but definitely bad pain, so taking pain killers. I’m worried about infection really flaring up, because that is agony and is not good news for the implant next to it suzie.
I’m hoping that the fact that I’ve been in touch with the Dental Hub will mean I get to see my dentist fairly soon after reopening. The dental nurse told my husband last week that they are probably reopening on 4th June, which would have been next week, so now it’s confirmed as the 8th I’m thinking that our dentists will open. I saw in the news all routine appointments are cancelled so the people who really need to see their dentist can be seen first. We have an excellent dental practice so I’m crossing my fingers. I’ll just have to distract myself doing my daughter’s washing, she’s delivered another three bags this morning. I’ve been doing quite a lot of her washing for a few weeks as they’re running themselves ragged with all that’s been going on. It’s just a bit of help to her.

How are you all getting on with your dental appointments?

The situation is still very dire, very upsetting about all that talent and care going to waste while people are in pain. Dentistry has been driven back to the dark ages. It is definitely not a settled situation and will not be for a long time to come

I phoned my dentist today, and they are prescribing antibiotics, only, still.

I'm going to be wearing a mask for a long time, it seems, because my denture broke in half last night.

Happy days.

Quite timely for you then MissA ! Seriously I've heard that routine dental appointments will not restart till next year. Hopefully my large lost filling won't be regarded as routine?

Oh noo!
I'll have to order some of those dazzling white DIY veneers.

I also have at least three teeth with the fillings out, but I'm not in any pain.

I've just felt a very, VERY, wobbly tooth, too.
I demand to be first in that dentists chair!

its a lot worse than people know, the dental situation

My sil had an emergency extraction yesterday nd was only charged for a Band 1 treatment!

We heard from a good friend, a hygienist, that she is not going back to work again.

Email from my dentist yesterday ( wholly private). Opening for urgent care only with very limited treatments available (extractions?) I agree crafty this is a huge problem with long term implications. Hancocks comment about opening from 8 June was just spin.

A front crown came off the day after lockdown so I'm definitely not an urgent case. But who knows. If I could get the right cement I could do it myself.
Maybe they'll invent some kind of robot to do the close-up work? I can see why dntists are so vulnerable - even surgeons can do a lot of their work via machine these days.

Had email from my dentist. They are opening on 8th for urgent treatment, and will then prioritise Denplan insured.?
They have had to install new air filtration system, and will see far fewer patients because intend leaving surgery empty for an hour after treatment, then deep cleaning.

They say no guidance at all received from government, and are have to access expensive PPE.

Patients are also advised that in addition to already expensive treatment they will have to pay for PPE used.

max of 6 patients a day for a very highly qualified experienced dentist. I could cry for AC dentist who is one af the few who can do sedation and is good at treating nervous patients. She is extremely upset by all this, will be at the surgery this weekend, cleaning!

They just received a 60 page guidance document, a couple of days ago and no help whatsoever from the government. The practice may well have to close, I cannot see how they can keep hemorrhaging money.

I received more antibiotics for my problem on Monday, and I’m free of pain now. The antibiotics will last till Monday. It is worrying that for myself and others that we still may not be able to access further treatment. I suppose if push comes to shove I’ll have to just get more antibiotics if it flares up again.
Dentistry was already struggling I think before Covid19, but now it’s going to struggle a lot more I feel. Incidentally I have no objection to paying for the dentist’s PPE during my appointment if it keeps her and myself safe.

I have just ordered a couple of things online to try and fix the denture.

I'm not vain, but no way am I going out and about looking like old man Steptoe.

MissAd - can you give the link?
It might work for me, I've still got the crown.