11-year-old has not seen Dentist for over 12 months!

Unfortunately, I think it's not uncommon now. I know in this area, it's incredibly difficult to find a dentist who is taking on NHS patients, and not everyone can afford private treatment. Was he already registered with a dentist?

My 34 year old son lives in Manchester and hasn’t seen a dentist for 10 years. His NHS dentist changed to private treatment only and he couldn’t afford to pay. Rang every dentist in the area and couldn’t find one to take him on. Luckily he eats a healthy diet and looks after his teeth but has admitted that he has no idea what he would do if he had an issue.

My 38 year old son in Scotland cannot get to see a dentist at all, private or NHS, they have all closed their lists.

Blondiescot

Unfortunately, I think it's not uncommon now. I know in this area, it's incredibly difficult to find a dentist who is taking on NHS patients, and not everyone can afford private treatment. Was he already registered with a dentist?

I know his mum said she and they are registered with an NHS dentist but she had appointment tomorrow and they rang her this morning and said it’s delayed till October! it’s an absolute disgrace. surely children’s teeth should be a priority, this country is on its knees in so many respects..🤦‍♀️
I’ve been on the phone to 111 for over 25 minutes, I really do despair.

It’s of great concern to me. I’ve been involved in monitoring dental provision over the last 18+ months and the situation isn’t getting any less serious, even though the Government is fully aware of this. Ideally can’t understand why school dentists and nurses are no longer provided. I shudder to think the suffering children are going to experience as they get older.

That's really bad, Shinamae. Unfortunately, I think if he's already registered with a dentist, you may struggle to find another one who is prepared to see him, unless it is an emergency.

It’s not a right to be seen every 6 months but it’s NICE guidelines for children to have a 6 month check. Nhs dentists don’t send out reminders , so it’s down to the patient or parents .if you want a 6 month appointment you often need to book it as you leave after your appointment.
Nhs dentists are extremely busy and often have a 3 month wait for an appointment especially if you want a specific time , such as after school /work .
I’m afraid 111 won’t do anything, they’re medical not dental .if your GS is in pain his dentist should see him as an emergency. All nhs dentists have emergency slots but you have to call early .
To help the shortage of nhs dentists . Dental Therapists are now allowed to do checkups. So you could enquire about this .

As someone who lost all their teeth aged 11, I would urge everyone to do whatever needs to be done to look after their children's teeth. It's been very hard for me.

This is how long I’ve been waiting on the 111 line and now I have to go to work 🤦‍♀️

Google “community dental services” - they will see children up to the age of 18 in full time education and anyone with special needs.

What is the father of the child doing about it?

None of my children or their children ever have any fillings or bad teeth because of the fluoride in the water. The reason they go to dentists is for misshaped teeth or over crowded mouths . I take it they don’t add fluoride in the UK ? My teeth were heavily filled by the time I was 12 because I was brought up in London.

Tattooedfidelma

My 34 year old son lives in Manchester and hasn’t seen a dentist for 10 years. His NHS dentist changed to private treatment only and he couldn’t afford to pay. Rang every dentist in the area and couldn’t find one to take him on. Luckily he eats a healthy diet and looks after his teeth but has admitted that he has no idea what he would do if he had an issue.

All he can do is go to some other country on a short break and see a dentist there.

Dental treatment is very expensive in Denmark, so depending in which part of the country they live a lot of Danes have a dentist in Poland, Sweden or Germany.

Shinamae surely it’s up to the child’s parents to look after his teeth? I don’t think I would have been pleased if my mother-in-law ( or mother) had taken it upon herself to try to arrange dental treatment for any of our children.
There is actually a school of thought which believes that regular brushing and flossing is sufficient, and that teeth should only be ‘disturbed’ by dentists if there is pain. Maybe that’s his parent’s opinion.

Shinamae

This is how long I’ve been waiting on the 111 line and now I have to go to work 🤦‍♀️

You’d be better off using 111 online, if it’s urgent right now.
But, as has been pointed out, your GC has a dentist already.

Tenko, if you need a dentist in an emergency, you can indeed call 111 and they will direct you to somewhere where you can get help. Only for emergency cases though.

Daddima

Shinamae surely it’s up to the child’s parents to look after his teeth? I don’t think I would have been pleased if my mother-in-law ( or mother) had taken it upon herself to try to arrange dental treatment for any of our children.
There is actually a school of thought which believes that regular brushing and flossing is sufficient, and that teeth should only be ‘disturbed’ by dentists if there is pain. Maybe that’s his parent’s opinion.

Sorry, Shinamae, I see he is registered with a dentist, but I’d still be leaving it to his parents.

shinamae could have asked her daughter if she could ring her private dentist. I would do the same ig it was my Grandchild, I think she was trying to find a solution.

Hithere

What is the father of the child doing about it?

Well, if that had been my child, it would have been me sorting it out, not his dad, as I dealt with all that type of thing.

Not sure why you are questioning what the dad is doing about it?

If his dad wanted the kid to go to dentist, he would make it happen

Instead, of courseeeee it is the mother's fault! (With sarcasm)

grandtante mentioned going abroad. I lived in Bulgaria for 5 years, their dentists are superb.
There are lots of adverts online.
People have read all the horror stories about Turkey. My close friend went about 3 years ago, absolutely superb result, and, seen in London for a 3 month check up.

Have I read it wrongly I didn’t read that the child had a problem just that Shinamae thought he should be having more regular check ups
You should not be ringing 111 unless he is an emergency and he’s not
He has a dentist and his mum has an appointment in October so all is well

Nanna8 yes we do have fluoride added to the water in UK

Tattooedfidelma

My 34 year old son lives in Manchester and hasn’t seen a dentist for 10 years. His NHS dentist changed to private treatment only and he couldn’t afford to pay. Rang every dentist in the area and couldn’t find one to take him on. Luckily he eats a healthy diet and looks after his teeth but has admitted that he has no idea what he would do if he had an issue.

www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist/results/Manchester?latitude=53.47894167190261&longitude=-2.245277998298477

This is the M2 area. They may still have space if he is quick.

some areas in the UK add fluoride to the water, but not all.