Post lockdown visits to the dentist

Well said Pattie47. One needs to ask oneself would I be prepared to work down someones mouth? I certainly would not. I missed out on getting a cap before lock down and then broke 2 teeth during lock down. My dentist fitted me in to repair them last month. I am allergic to any anesthetic they had to yank out the old filling as not using water or drills and drain an abscess. The relief at getting them fixed and rid of the pain was worth any amount of money. I thank God every day for my dentist.

Had a visit to ours immediately before lockdown.The dentist and nurse both wore visors, and there was only me in.but our practice has you press a bell to be let in anyway as a norm so i guess they just make folk wait outside longer? I didnt wear a mask then, but back then it wasnt a thing- (How can they look at your teeth with a mask on?you'd have to remove it at some point, wouldn't you?? When lockdown hit, at first, i had pain, so i had to ring up and go and stand outside, ring bell, and receptionist, (in mask& gloves) passed me a sealed envelope through a gap in door,with a prescription for antibiotics in it.Since lockdown eased we have had a phone call to say unless we had dental pain they were cancelling our july appts till further notice, when backlog has decreased i presumed? I dont know if prices have increased, we are lucky, its nhs too & we dont usually have to pay..i do occasionally go to a private dentist for cleans (he's more gentle) or some work, i went before lockdown, his price was same, but now it could be different, I've not been.

You are within your rights to suspend paying into payment plans. This is the case for Gym memberships and dentists but they would rather not tell you that.

Similar set up for me Theoddbird.

Brownflopsy, cant you ring a dental emergency number or something?then find a new dentist afterwards.

I saw my dentist yesterday as I'm afraid I may have mouth cancer. The receptionist asked the normal Covid-19 questions on the phone and when I arrived I had to ring to let them know I was outside: was given a mask and asked to sanitise my hands, put my bag in a box and got examined. They're referring me for a second opinion and there was NO charge! I was very happy with the whole experience. (Especially as the dentist says he doesn't think it's cancer!)

Oh! you are making me shudder!! I lost a filling just before lockdown and have been using temporary fillings since, I suspect a 'temporary' filling from the dentist might last just a bit longer.

@AGAA4 I’m just curious; how can you wear a mask when having your teeth seen to?

Had a regular six month check up a fortnight ago. Arrived early as I normally do, disabled and slow and need to find parking close by. Dentist coming out for his lunch told me to go and sit in the waiting room which I gratefully accepted. Seeing patients one every two hours to give them time to complete the cleaning between each. No extra charges, and going back next week to have a replacement buildup lost during lock-down. Cheerful and welcoming as normal.

One of my front teeth fell out during lockdown - a son and a granddaughter were prone to throw their heads back when sitting on my lap and I further dislodged it taking my binoculars off in a hurry 9 months (sic!) ago. I'm therefore doubly grateful for the mandatory masks.... Contacted the dentist immediately knowing it would not be classed as an emergency. He did say, however, that it was a procedure they prefer to carry out sooner rather than later and has kept in touch by phone and by email with information about what they are doing to make surgeries safe and which treatments they are able to carry out. However, I am resigned to have to wait until next Spring at least. Meanwhile the gap is causing my upper lip to collapse on that side and getting lipstick on is a challenge. However I do this less often now as the mask spreads it all over my face.... I would probably have been distraught if this had happened before Covid-19 but we just laugh about it now. I am expecting the cost of dealing with the gap will make my eyes water. It surprises me how people have adapted to paying for treatments, such as dentistry and chiropody that once were freely provided by the NHS, though. The shape of things to come... Sadly to pay for health insurance as has been suggested is not within everyone's ability and may not cover you for the specific treatment you may need.... Once the rest of the NHS, now also managing social care in some areas, has been contracted out .... private health insurance will be far more expensive than paying our National Insurance....

My dentist has a policy of no face to face appointments! I lost a crown 10 days into lockdown and therefore cannot have it fixed. I’m not sure if I should try and find another dentist.

I went for a 6 month checkup last week. My experience was very similar to Woodmouse and Suesocks. Every possible precaution was taken and I didn't feel rushed or nervous. I was there perhaps 30 minutes and paid the usual £45 no additional charges, even though they have had to install glass screens at reception and patient hand washing facilities in each of the surgeries. The Hygienist has a very long waiting list but fortunately my dentist said my own cleaning is excellent so its OK for me to wait a few months to see the hygienist. I'm just very relieved that my lovely dentist is still in business and hasn't succumbed to Covid.

had 2 appointments cancelled at the start of lockdown, one for the dentist and the other for the hygienist, they were re scheduled for july. they were then cancelled and i was told it would probably be the end of the year as they had to give appointments to people who had had their earlier appointments cancelled. I tried pointing out that mine had been cancelled earlier but they didn't want to know.

In defence of the staff, I think you probably have to roll with it if they seem stressed. As far as your explaining the problem, the hygienist should have listened so if you’re not happy, maybe choose another dentist. I think the fees are all gojng up unfortunately. I had two urgent appointments about a month ago but otherwise, I would not have gone. I think a check up can probably wait a bit if you don’t have any issues. They can only see a fraction of the normal number of people as they need to deep clean between patients. My trips were fine. I didn’t see another person other than the staff and the work was done much as normal except they had ppe on.

I wonder when NHS patients will ever be seen.

Let’s not forget, dentists have just been awarded a pay rise, so it’s about time they resumed normal service.

I had to pay £160 for the hygienist but it was an hour.

I also had to wait outside.

Fill forms in at home via iPad but I was happy to do so.

They were as lovely as ever and didn’t use the water jet to clean but used tools. I’ve always felt dentists to be very clean anyway and felt very safe there and positive. It felt great a bit of normality in my life.

I asked how they were coping after all it’s our mouths they are looking in but any fillings etc she said they have to be really suited up to do it.

This episode of a BBC podcast explains why dentists are having a hard time -
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000llx4

I have Denplan, which is a monthly payment for 2 check-ups and 2 hygiene visits.

At the beginning of Lockdown, a filling came out of one tooth. I rang to let them know ~ not that I needed treatment at that point but in case it became really painful down the track, they'd have it on record.
Some weeks later, a filling came out of the other side of the same tooth, so I did the same.
Two days later they rang me to come in and get it sorted.

My practice has you wait outside and take your temperature too. When I went for Part 2 of the treatment, Thermometer Said No but they offered to re-take it in 5 minutes, and it was fine.

The monthly cost rises fractionally every January but it hasn't gone up due to Covid.

My dentist is only open for emergencies. Have had two hygienist appointments cancelled as being seen every three months.one check up so far.I'm on denplan paying monthly so will be interesting to see if a charge for ppe happens when I finally get to go.

Just back from the dentist and feeling very downhearted. She did a check up and the told me that the ongoing crown can wait as the tooth next to it needs a root and a crown. She gave me a treatment plan to finish my ongoing treatment plus a root canal and crown. £3450!! Also said another tooth needs similar work but not urgent. I was charged £120 for today’s checkup and X-ray plus £39 for PPE. I’m in the process of investigating other dentist as this seems very expensive to me.

I had an appointment last week for a checkup and clean. I was asked to wait outside and someone collected me. My bag was put (by me ) into a closed box and I was asked to use hand sanitiser. My dentist ( who is lovely) asked me about any problems, listened and gave me plenty of time.

I paid by card on the way out because nobody else was in the waiting room, if there had been I would have had to ring back when I got home and paid over the phone. I felt very safe and not rushed. The increase in fees was only £3

My NHS dentist isn't back at work yet. Previously he had referred me to dental hospital as I have over bite and crosswise out of alignment . I think that is what he said as it is so long ago. He did warn me there would be a long wait. First app was at 8.30 am in a city far from our rural village so not feasable so I changed it. Warned at the time if I changed it again I would be dismissed back to dentist. Thought this was harsh but agreed to it as (no choice and ) wanted treatment. plus had no intention to change again. THEN a routine e mammogram gave a diagnosis ofcancer and having op clashed with this appointment. Partner explained fully but STill discharged from dental hospital. Cant get my dentist to re refer me as closed. Need to advise chemo drs if I want to have treatment added that reduces effect of drugs on teeth. My teeth are chipped and damaged so this
May help me. BUT to have the drug I need to have all remedial work done first. Going round in circles les over this. Sorry I realise I have hi jacked this post but I'm just so distraught. Any ideas?

I had a hygienist appointment only yesterday and I found everything to be okay.
They give you a ring before you attend just to say when you enter the door to wait until they check your temperature and if you are able to wear a mask on entry, please do. There's no queues just straight in (I think they ensure appointments are spaced to avoid too many people).

I actually had a new hygienist and she turned out to very nice. She wore a mask that they always wore before but a 'pinny type' protection on her front.
The price was £7 extra when I checked against my last visit.
I could not complain - it is a private practice with a good reputation.

So far I've had two appointments cancelled, so not seen anyone.