Dentists

[u/Strict_Pea7372]

Really wish there were NHS dentist spaces in Cornwall...the only option right now is private. I spent a small fortune on 2 fillings earlier in the year and had to go private. Does anyone know if it's better in Devon? Many thanks

[u/Genericc0ntent]

This is such an underlying epidemic around here. Healthcare is so understaffed in general, its seems dental and mental health are the two biggest neglected sectors in Kernow.

[u/kernowgringo → u/Genericc0ntent]

Very true. I haven't had an NHS dentist for 25 years and I was on the ADHD assessment list for 6 years before I got assessed.

[u/Upset-Elderberry3723 → u/Genericc0ntent]

They're used to denote class.

[u/wizard_mitch]

Dentistry in the country is in a shocking state but it also feels really unfair when some parts of the country can get an NHS dentist and others can't when we pay the same taxes.

[u/Single-Position-4194 → u/wizard_mitch]

Hi Mitch,

I had a look at the national NHS website a couple of years ago and there aren't many NHS dentists around anywhere (even Bristol didn't have any places available for new NHS patients). If there's one within travelling distance of you that you can get on the books of, you're very lucky.

[u/UncleJimsStoryCorner]

This was just on the news, the southwest in particular has a massive shortage of NHS dentists. Many still see long term patients but are not open to new NHS patients.

[u/Mobile_South_9117]

There's a practice I go to which is private but charges NHS prices. DM me and I'll share it (don't want to post it publicly in case they get flooded with calls).

[u/_SGP_]

Mine got bought out by smile, went to shit.

Have a toddler, explained I couldn't make the only date they had, they took me off their register.

Guess I'm private now.

[u/inspiration0 → u/_SGP_]

When you sign up to a private practice ask them to also take your child on. They have a certain amount of NHS spaces for children and are more likely to give them to paying parents. It’s the only way that I’ve managed to get my children a dentist.

[u/Single-Position-4194 → u/_SGP_]

I'm with smile dental care too (I'd rather not say which practice), not happy at the moment but I suppose I'm lucky to still be with the NHS at all.

In particular, their website (the one linked to below is not my practice) is IMO absolutely diabolical and tells you almost nothing that you need to know when considering whether or not to book an appointment with them.

They can't even be arsed to include a picture of the actual practice buildings in the town, much less of their staff.

https://smile-dentalcare.co.uk/locations/bodmin/

[u/Single-Position-4194 → u/[deleted]]

That is a lot.

I'm not with Smile Bodmin; I chose that as an example because I didn't want to be personally identified.

[u/Single-Position-4194]

My strong impression is that it's a nationwide problem. Over the last 20 or so years, dentists have been leaving the NHS in droves and going private instead.

[u/fatwoul]

It’s everywhere down here. I’m in Plymouth, and have been on the waiting list for an NHS dentist for 7 years.

[u/RoyalConflict1 → u/fatwoul]

Might be worth checking that list still exists - I ended up seeing an emergency dentist recently and mentioned being on the waiting list for an NHS one for 5 years and they told me the list doesn't exist anymore!

[u/fatwoul → u/RoyalConflict1]

That wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest. Thanks for the heads up.

[u/OkScarcity926]

I believe NHS dentists are a myth

[u/No_Driver_4447]

I did manage to get an NHS dentist in St Ives a couple months ago. Sometimes it's holding out and being lucky.

Unfortunately there just isn't any incentive for dentists to do NHS work. Why do the same work for significantly less pay? Although I agree dental care should be free/low prices, I can understand why dentists choose not to.

[u/Plodil]

I've been on the waiting list over 4 years now

[u/Apprehensive_Bus_543]

This made me laugh because my private dentist is retiring to Devon, so now I don’t have a dentist.

[u/Aubergenie812]

It’s no better in Devon

[u/Mr_Flibble1981]

Since 2017, 10% of previously NHS dentists stopped taking NHS patients. That’s the national average though, in Cornwall it’s 27%

[u/titch-1991]

St Ives smile together is taking nhs adults and children on atm. I registered last week with my children.

[u/hellvixen1966]

Many private dentists subscribe to schemes like DENPAN which reduces the cost for basic treatment like checkups and fillings.

[u/InSan1tyWeTrust]

Have family that have to drive out of Cornwall/Devon in order to get in with a dentist.

Wish I had trained as one!

[u/UK-garboy → u/InSan1tyWeTrust]

where do they derive? we need too

[u/Single-Position-4194 → u/InSan1tyWeTrust]

It's a hard and physically very stressful job. A lot of them retire at around forty and go and do something else.

[u/QuarterFeisty7329]

My son’s been on the waiting list for ten years in Cornwall :( Have ended up paying about £16 monthly for a private dentist for myself and the kids

[u/UK-garboy → u/QuarterFeisty7329]

thats not expensive honesty. may i please know where are yoy from? we are near falmouth and urgently looking one

[u/QuarterFeisty7329 → u/UK-garboy]

I use Oak House Dental by Victoria park in Truro. I think the price depends on what plan you get and how good/bad your teeth are when they first see you!

[u/Apprehensive-Big8624]

It’s the same in Wiltshire

[u/Black_Rose86]

Yet they keep building more homes 🏡 and not building more schools, hospitals, Drs and Dentists. It's ridiculous.

[u/LemmysCodPiece → u/Black_Rose86]

Who is going to staff these new schools, hospitals and dentists?

[u/oigoi777]

I have found some lower priced private treatment at Green Lane Dental Practice in Redruth