I have an NHS dentist but.......

[Andy1505]

Hi all. New poster here, great site, helped me a lot when I was trying to pluck up the courage to make an appointment.

I have a question. I have an NHS dentist but know that the work they can do is limited - I have had two of my top front teeth removed (both my lateral incisors) and would like to look at getting implants (I have a temorary partial denture in at the moment.)

I know the NHS will not do implants, and I am willing and able to pay privately. Question is will I lose my NHS place, will my dentist still teat me or will I have to stay private?

Many thanks.

 

[GrahamDee]

I believe that if you go private with work which cannot be done under NHS, you should not lose your place.

 

[Andy1505]

Excellent, many thanks.

 

[Gordon]

It would be polite to ask your dentist for a referral to somebody to have the implants done

 

[Andy1505]

Yes I think I will do that, he has been very good to me.

 

[brit]

It would be polite to ask your dentist for a referral to somebody to have the implants done

Yes but you are under no obligation to go where he suggests.....you don't just go anywhere for implants.

 

[annie778]

It would be polite to ask your dentist for a referral to somebody to have the implants done

I don't think there is any etiquete involved in this. Surely NHS dentists aren't precious about their referrals?

I've had this attitude from a GP in relation to a change of hospital for my mum. It's so "old school tie" attitude & totally out of place in today's nhs.

Andy you have absolutely no obligation to tell your dentist you are going to have private treatment for something that is not offered on the nhs. There is absolutely no reason for your dentist to strike you off the list for this. If he does, report him to the local pct sharpish.

I agree with brit - shop around for the implants. By all means ask your dentist for advice, but don't be obliged to go further with any private referral he makes if you don't feel 100% comfortable (and it will be a private referral if it's private work).

Anyway my GP didn't influence my mum's right to access patient choice & luckily there are two GPs in the practice because I certainly won't be going to him again. Sorry Gordon but this kind of attitude literally makes me foam at the mouth....(and not through overuse of toothpaste!)

 

[brit]

The only benefit to asking for a referral is that you would hope he would only refer you to someone he felt he could vouch for. Personally if investing that kind of money, I'd be looking for reputation, experience, evidence of past work, maybe someone who teaches implants to other dentists, all over convenient geographical location.

My UK GP did a private medical referral for us once and it was along the lines of well you could go up to London and see blah but the local guy blah knows his stuff and if I were you I'd try him first...we were pleased with the outcome. This felt helpful rather than 'old school tie' stuff.

 

[annie778]

Yes I agree Brit which is why I said by all means he should seek advice from the dentist. But not because it's polite.

 

[Andy1505]

Thanks guys for all the great advice - am writing a letter to him now as I dont want to disturb him during working hours.

Cheers.

 

[Gordon]

Hum, I guess I'm just old fashioned then. I think if you want your original dentist to maintain your mouth, including I assume to check that your implants are healthy and functional after you've had them placed, yet you want to do all this behind his back? Really Annie?

I have no objection to you going wherever you like for treatment, but I'd consider our professional relationship terminated if you did so without at least informing me first. And you can write to the PCT all you like...

 

[Andy1505]

I spoke to my NHS practice today, and arranged a meeting with my dentist for monday to talk about some options, the pretty receptionist said he doesnt do implants but has a list of recommended other professionals......

I already have a consultation with a cosmetic dentist for next friday which I will tell my NHS dentist about. Just really want to get stuff sorted.

 

[annie778]

Hum, I guess I'm just old fashioned then. I think if you want your original dentist to maintain your mouth, including I assume to check that your implants are healthy and functional after you've had them placed, yet you want to do all this behind his back? Really Annie?

I have no objection to you going wherever you like for treatment, but I'd consider our professional relationship terminated if you did so without at least informing me first. And you can write to the PCT all you like...

So if your patient goes to stay with a relative for six months comes back and has implants there you would not treat them? What about students going to uni across the country then coming home for the summer hols? Surely you do not expect a call from every patient who is not in the area when they need to see a dentist. Perhaps the system in scotland is different, because in England I've not come across this type of relationship with a dentist.

I'm disappointed Gordon. There is no "behind the back" with cosmetic dentistry such as implants given the nhs doesn't provide them unless someone needs facial reconstruction after a major accident. The NHS is very limited anyway in the dental care it provides. NHS dentists are commissioned to look after a patient's health whether or not they are promiscuous consumers (and I mean that in the marketing sense).

As a dentist is a medical professional dedicated to helping others, I would imagine surely it should go in the order of dental health interests of patient first, professional, personal & financial interests second. The attitude you are describing is unhelpful, leads to more rotten teeth and phobic patients all round. It's akin to forcing a form of cap-doffing, serfdom on the most vulnerable and deprived members of our communities. I'm so relieved I can afford to pay for private treatment and feel so sorry for those who are forced to be grateful and subservient within a system when they should be treated as a valued consumer, because they are paying for a service (whether via society - including my taxes, or contributing directly through their own taxes) where they should be treated with dignity and respect and expect a professional service with no fear of reprisals if they do not "behave" according to outdated unwritten rules. I am so glad they are introducing a system in England where you will soon be able to more flexibly choose your gp and move around more freely. They have done away with patient registration for dental services in England. I am all for patient choice & patient feedback on services published on public nhs forums, it's the best way to end cap-doffing closed practices and old school tie networks.

 

[brit]

I have to say I don't see why you would be so offended by this either and I think I am also pretty 'old fashioned'. Not all NHS dentists are as helpful, interested and approachable as you maybe?

 

[Gordon]

I would be very offended that somebody who attended my practice on a regular basis thought so little of my professional abilities that they would not ask my opinion on a fairly significant dental matter. Clearly if they have such a low opinion of me then they'd be better being treated by somebody else.

Actually I'm a bit disappointed that you can't see this from my perspective, so I suggest that we terminate this discussion round about here, to avoid further disappointment.

 

[annie778]

I guess that's because, in my opinion, your perspective is a personal rather than a professional one Gordon & I think true professionals should override personal feelings when dealing in a professional capacity.

I agree there is no further point in this discussion.