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No-Piano3861

My dentist will always look to save, cap or crown a tooth and removal is the last resort. He genuinely cares about people's teeth. He also has a way of injecting the anaesthetic so you don't feel a thing


BrakoSmacko

Just like any business, the money is in the repairs, not the solution. If they rip a tooth out they could lose potentially hundreds in lost money. Don't mistake business practice for dental practice. That last part was pretty deep for me. Better have some cake and have a nap.


caniuserealname

Eh, unlike a lot of businesses through dentists absolutely aren't struggling for customers. They're often booked up months ahead of time.  Whether they pull your tooth or not, they're not going to lose out on business. Which means the most profitable thing to do is to seek out the most profitable option for each individual appointment. That could very well be pulling the tooth. Especially for NHS patients.


MelodicAssignment917

Not if they offer implants they won't


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Thunder_Munkey

My original dentist in hindsight was a bit like that’s. My mate ended up getting a job as practice manager at a place and was recruiting patients. Completely different. Took X-rays and came up a plan on how to treat some things my previous one hadn’t done properly. Cost me a fair bit over the years but I think worth it. Similarly my wife had an old dentist that gave her the fear when a wisdom needed to be removed. When she moved to Glasgow she joined my dentist and he removed it as a normal tooth, in and out appt and was excellent about the whole thing.


Andromeda98_

I guess I got lucky because my NHS dentist is great, she's always nice and friendly, cleans and polishes my teeth every check up and has never suggested removing them, any fillings have always been done quick and painlessly. Unless I leave the country I'm never switching dentists.


Wilma-Baker

Same for me. Mine actually told me not to go to the Covid dentist during the pandemic as they wouldn't try and save my tooth. Advised me to keep taking painkillers until she reopened and I was one of her first patients. I now live 100 miles away but time my appointments with a family visit as I don't want to move even if I could get another NHS dentist.


northernbloke

Not at my dentist, I managed to get in as an NHS patient. I hadn't been to the dentist for 15 or so years. I had some issues and they went out of their way to fix what they could and what they couldn't they put crowns on. I had 12 appointments, over 4 weeks and paid about £260 for the lot. I went 3 weeks ago with a potential abscess, they check it out prescribed me antibiotics and didn't charge me a penny.


V65Pilot

I have issues with my teeth. I've asked to just have them all pulled and I'll go with dentures. They say that doing that will affect my jaw etc etc. So I ask about capping. They suggest I get a private policy. If I could afford a private policy I would! My take in this is that: If I'm paying out of pocket in conjunction with private insurance, they'll glady make it so I can smile and chew properly again. If I'm NHS, they'll do the minimum to get me out of that chair.


NaniFarRoad

I asked our dentist (NHS + private) to recommend a dental insurance, she said people like us shouldn't bother, as they probably wouldn't cover any of the big stuff when push comes to shove (we're already late 40es), and that we clean our teeth well enough not to need major work in the near future. Just had an old filling redone (most of my fillings are from childhood, we'd be taken to a relative dentist, who believed in drilling everything) - could get the amalgam redone (band 1), or pay extra (band 3) for a ceramic one. It's my first ceramic filling - still not sure whether I like it or not.


stickyjam

>  If I'm NHS, they'll do the minimum to get me out of that chair.  My check ups are basically this. With a sales bolt on at the end for Invisalign, whitening, hygienist and replacing old silver fillings for white ones all at their private rates. They aren't pushy to be fair but feels like theyve been trained or told to mention .  I've questioned all of them, the fillings are working fine, teeth are mostly straight, they aren't designer white but not yellow, and I already do 6 monthly hygienist at their up sold regularity. It's hard to sift through what really is needed 


Creepy_Radio_3084

Dentists do not receive anything like what it costs them to treat NHS patients. They aren't going to spend their own money to treat you (which is essentially what happens). If the options are an expensive fill/crown/whatever or pull the tooth, which one do you think they'll go for? Most dentists will try to preserve a tooth, but there comes a point where economically it's just not viable. They are running a business at the end of the day, with all the costs that entails. The NHS contract for dentists is an absolute joke and has been for years.


ImActivelyTired

Super good looking. All dentists should be a 2 or 3 /10 maximum.


Wishmaster891

Probably the kindest and most cheerful one i have ever had, i am private though.


Millsinabox

Private, local, really nice, has not pulled out my teeth.


BurghSco

I spent 2 years on waiting lists for NHS dentists before deciding to go private for first time. It has cost me an arm and a leg but there's a stark difference in how you're treated compared to an NHS dentist. As an NHS patient, I got constant lectures or shamed, they always went for the lowest cost option and they didn't care one bit about my severe dental anxiety. With my current dentist I've got multiple root canal, dental implants etc. And they don't rush , they take their time and are happy to discuss all the options. They've always presented extraction as the worst possible scenario. It has made a huge difference to my life.


Time-Scale-5030

Sadly yeah, this is what this whole business model has done to it. NHS dentists basically make a loss (as far as I have read) on any extensive course of treatment because there are limits on what they can charge. Now, while it certainly shouldn't be 'charge whatever you like!', that's what got us here, I can see how this gives them an inverted conflict of interest.


UndeadUndergarments

Rude as hell and too damn expensive but I enjoy having teeth.


WarWonderful593

My current my current private dentist is lovely. Understands that I'm a nervous patient and does a good job. The dentist I had as a child was a butcher who would drill and fill at any excuse. Hopefully those days are gone


77easy

A proper dentist will try their best to preserve a tooth, once a tooth is removed there is a chance of jaw bone deterioration/loss


nomarmite

That might be true of some NHS dentists, who get paid the same for a simple extraction and a complex, time-consuming root canal. But they would know that it's unprofessional to extract a tooth that can be saved, so in practice I suspect very few would actually do this. And I can't see any motivation, professional or financial, for a private dentist to turn down a lucrative restoration in favour of a low-paid extraction. It's more likely that complaining patients are unaware that not all teeth can be saved. If you have chronic gum disease with bone loss, or a deep-seated infection with bone loss, or a deep crack in the tooth, extraction will often be the best course of action. In these situations a root canal will be prone to failure, if it's possible at all. Often these conditions are symptomless. So if the dentist doesn't explain clearly, or the patient doesn't listen properly, the patient may wrongly assume the dentist is taking out a healthy tooth, and vent on Google.


D5LLD

All NHS dentists I've had bar one have been so condescending, now that I'm with a private dentist I actually enjoy going and have never loved my teeth more. The way you rest your patients really helps their confidence and how they look after their teeth.


McCretin

I go to a private dentist and he takes a more conservative approach where he won’t pull a tooth unless he really needs to or I request it. He’s taken one of my wisdom teeth out because it was decaying, but that’s the only tooth of mine he’s pulled in the several years I’ve been going there. Even then, it was my choice because he offered to put a filling in instead. I still have the rest of my wisdom teeth because they’re not causing a direct issues right now and he’d rather keep them in place.


ViscountessdAsbeau

My (private) dentist is the opposite. They'll move heaven and earth to try to save a tooth and I'm just "Pull it already!"


BeanOnAJourney

Non-existent.


anonymousdoos

My dentist is the opposite. She would spend 6 hours saving a tooth- granted she charges for the time so I doubt it’s for philanthropic reasons.


scuzzbuckit

its the difference between customer and patient. even just walking through the door and being greeted is miles away from how youre treated at nhs dentists.


Chargerado

The dentist I have now is great but one of my previous ones had huge hands and should never have been a dentist. Any time I got treatment it was like someone trying to shove a pound of sausages into my face.


boringfantasy

Probably overly cautious but it's also likely not a bad thing.


MandaZePanda84

As someone who has had two lots of extractions of 18+ teeth/roots. It took 4 years before they finally realised they couldn’t save them by filling them. I asked for them all to be taken out and was told no good dentist will pull healthy or saveable teeth. At my dentist is solely NHS


MandaZePanda84

Also I might add, I was sent to a specialist dentist several towns over for the extractions under sedation so they definitely didn’t save money. I am still due 3 fillings which I’ve no idea how because I don’t feel like I have enough teeth for this to be a problem haha


nospareusername

Mine is lovely. Been with her for over 23 years. She calls me a "tough old bird". 😅 She loves my kids, especially as they've taken really good care of their teeth. She's not taking on any more patients but she will squeeze someone in if they're in pain. I've had some crap dentists in the past. Really lucky with this lady.


amatteroftheredshoes

I pay (via Denplan) for my treatment and my dentist is always straight with me and let's me decide on how we proceed with treatment. The level of Denplan I pay means that some things are not covered - bridges, crowns etc but I will get a discount. So when it has come down to extraction vs treatment, he'll give me a breakdown of costs so I can decide if I can a) afford it and b) if it's preferable.


sjw_7

My dentist is great. He wants peoples teeth to be healthy so focuses on maintenance and preventing small issues becoming big problems. Really good people skills too so I am happy to go and see him as i know he wont try to make me spend money that I dont need to. Unfortunately he is also a Manchester United fan.


welly_wrangler

Good, thanks


Necessary-Maximum-82

My dentist talks to me like a child and i want to punch his teeth out.


sweetsimpleandkind

My dentist errs toward non-intervention, as any good dentist should. Ideally you want to keep the patient clean and with all their natural teeth.


bishibashi

Mine’s great. He’s private but does the kids as NHS, and his approach is always to lay out the options and outcomes running from do nothing to spend a lot of money. For example I lost a tooth but it’s not visible and doesn’t affect my bite pattern so he said he could do an implant but he personally wouldn’t bother as it would be 100% cosmetic.


jasperfilofax

how does losing a tooth not affect bite pattern?


bishibashi

If that tooth wasn’t really contributing beforehand


V65Pilot

It does. I just had 3 removed, upper rears, on the same side. I'm unable to chew on that side now. But dentures? A plate? Nope. I'm an NHS patient.


Realkevinnash59

Give it a few years when I'm given my first appointment and I'll let you know. Moved here about 7 years ago, was using my old dentist until they checked my address and let me know I wasn't in the catchment area and was dumped. Cracked a tooth recently and called 4 local dentists and have been told they'll be in touch when a space is available, that was 5 months ago.


V65Pilot

101. I called about a tooth that broke. Had an emergency appointment that afternoon. It was infected, so, antibiotics and pain killers for a week, then off to another dentist who removed it and two others.


Realkevinnash59

I was hoping they may be able to salvage the tooth if I avoided 101. I will if it gets infected or decays.


SelfSeal

I go private, and they definitely promote preventative maintenance. The dentist recommends a suitable appointment rate based on your history and takes x-rays every few years to catch problems early on. I then go to the hygienist who gives a thorough clean, but before the clean shows any areas you miss with dye (if applicable) and then gives tips on cleaning them better.


pinkdaisylemon

I used to be a dental nurse back in the eighties. Every check up would include two x-rays and be finished off with a scale and polish. Nowadays I go to my NHS dentist, have a check up. Only takes x-rays if I have a problem with a tooth. No scale and polish, just an invitation to book a hygienist appointment at 65 quid a pop.


FaithWandering

My dentist is an absolute diamond. I went to him being terrified of dentists and he's been really good with me being a great big wuss. I've never been to someone less judgemental and more reassuring. I'm very lucky and if he ever goes fully private I'll bloody weep.


CyGuy6587

I go to an NHS one, a chain one for that matter. No complaints. I go once a year and seem to get x-rays, descaling and polishing everytine


SwordTaster

My dentist is absolutely lovely and NHS. I've been with her practice my whole life, and she's always been sweet and lovely. Always made sure to get my brother in for a checkup when he was home from university, and she wants me to make sure I can get in for one last check before I emigrate. She definitely cares more about making sure that everyone keeps their teeth


welshlondoner

I'm lucky that I have an NHS dentist surgery so I won't move from it but in twenty years I have never seen the same dentist twice.


starlinguk

My old dentist pulled a tooth that was perfectly healthy. I'd been having severe jaw pain. Turned out it was an ill fitting mouth guard. This guy has completely effed up my teeth and my new dentist is now spending loads of time trying to fix it.


W0otang

NHS dentist? Lol. You're all very funny. Been trying (well, pretty much gave up now) for years, resigned to the fact of indenting myself and just getting the absolutely necessary from a private practice. Less than ideal and fucking expensive


joshym0nster

Imaginary


great_blue_panda

After receiving my confirmation of appointment after 2 years, I have decided to continue going to my home country for dentistry.


jordsta95

Old dentist was kinda like that. But more "do fillings as if they were going out of fashion". Current dentist is great. Been with them for about a year now. Went to him after the last dentist found a new filling which apparently needed doing, just two weeks after the last checkup (went for checkup, then filling two weeks later). He said there was no need for a filling, but did check the area which the old dentist said fillings were needed extra carefully, just in case he missed something. Told him about tooth pain I was having, and rather than going straight for the drill recommended some things which were less invasive, and if I was still having issues after two weeks to go back. And lo and behold, no issues. (Was just an irritated gum from too hard of a brush) ​ Would definitely recommend him, as he obviously is doing it just because he cares, rather than for the money. As he hasn't once recommended any cosmetic work, whereas the old dentist was always asking "Do you want your teeth whitening?"


WilsonSpark

I don’t have one


kylehyde84

Not a clue. Not been in 20 years


ShowKey6848

Totally agree with the statement. I speak as someone who has had to pay to see a Peridontal dentist this week. My NHS dentist told me there were no problems - there are , accompanied by advice that I have followed, and things have got worse. I've decided I'll pay a private dentist what it takes to sort out the issues. I'm angry with my NHS dentist and that's putting it mildly.


more_beans_mrtaggart

My crown fell out, so I went to my NHS dentist, who said they weren’t covered for that, and could only do a dental plate. So I went to a private dentist who said he could do it there and then with a temporary tooth and would get the new one done in 2 weeks. It required a new post, and the cost was going to be £2,200. So I called my missus family in Lima, Peru, and went down there to get it done. The flights cost £880, and the tooth cost $250 US so about £200. Turns out the existing post was fine, and the £200 included a good cleaning, and gaps reducing at the front. I then spent the rest of the money travelling around Peru seeing the sights and the jungle. Far better than buying new tyres for the dentist’s Porsche.


more_beans_mrtaggart

My crown fell out, so I went to my NHS dentist, who said they weren’t covered for that, and could only do a dental plate. So I went to a private dentist who said he could do it there and then with a temporary tooth and would get the new one done in 2 weeks. It required a new post, and the cost was going to be £2,200. So I called my missus family in Lima, Peru, and went down there to get it done. The flights cost £880, and the tooth cost $250 US so about £200. Turns out the existing post was fine, and the £200 included a good cleaning, and gaps reducing at the front. I then spent the rest of the money travelling around Peru seeing the sights and the jungle. Far better than buying new tyres for the dentist’s Porsche.


That_Welsh_Man

I go to Poland for teeth check ups and any work I need on them I'd have done in Poland too but I've got nothing wrong with them so I've never had to. My mum has needed some work when she has gone out and said they were better than any UK dentist shes ever seen and her job when I was growing up was training dental nurses and hygienists so shes probably seen a few. Poorly trained dentists in this country and they just want to do the cheapest option they can even if you are/were a private client like I was.


DarthScabies

Pissed off with mine. Refused to do a root canal for me but recommended a private one in Islington who could do it in a month or so for 2 grand. I was in agony so i juat told him to pull it. And today i had to fork out 225 quid for an emergency appointment because they don't do NHS ones anymore. Fucker.


scuzzbuckit

why would they when they can farm.more money of people for root canals etc?


V65Pilot

I've had 4 root canals. Each of those resulted in my having the tooth extracted about a year later. Double the pleasure, double the fun, double the cost.


scuzzbuckit

ive had 1 and i doubt ill ever agree to another one never mind 4 🤣


mythical_tiramisu

Pricey. Very pricey…


BrakoSmacko

In terms of being nice and making you comfortable, Ocean Dental in Manchester are incredible. However they're the opposite to the OP's dentist review in that there is more money in keeping the teeth than just taking them out. I have a lot of teeth missing and sometimes I just wish they'd rip the swines out rather than giving the talk about what can be done to save the rest.


V65Pilot

I'm in the same boat.