My first experience with dentists in the UK

[@jill954]

Once you have joined a NHS dentist practice you can easily get an appointment, it was probably because you hadn’t joined a practice beforehand.

[@ronrichardson3103]

Yes i agree but they were saying they were not taking new patients on as well .whats a man to do . I know it's not just me .I think this problem is nationwide.

[@Ratbat69]

once you are on the books as an nhs patient, you can usually book an emergency appointment if needed, but to remain on the books you can't miss any appointments, also UK dentists don't generaly upsell, apart from lots of posters in the waiting room, and sometimes they may suggest a hygienist appointment, but thats about it

[@BananaKing274]

Thank you for sharing with us the step-by-step process of your 1st UK Dental experience.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks for watching!

[@ruk2023--]

Finding an NHS dentist in the first instance is VERY hard. Once you have one, you hold on to them like gold dust. I live in Manchester City Centre where my dentist is a very busy place but I have never had a problem getting an NHS appointment within 24 hours if I'm in pain. I had to use them as a private patient for a while before I could get an NHS patient slot though (most places do as few NHS slots as they are mandated to). Not for nothing, I would consider getting a checkup every 6 months even though your teeth are perfect.

[@achloist]

I’ve heard a few people say that Ralph. It must depend where you are in the country, we’ve no problems getting a NHS dentist here. However where I work there’s not one in 50 miles. Another postcode lottery.

[@frankmitchell3594]

This is true in my area also. Fewer NHS Dentists now and they take a limited number of patients. You need to register with one, when you are registered you will get quick, emergency appointments and have regular check-ups. You have to wait until they lose a patient before you can be accepted. Private dentists are much more expensive.

[@Brian-om2hh]

Try your nearest hospital Ralph. Most hospitals have an emergency dentist, and normally you can get in at relatively short notice. At my local hospital - 5 miles away - the emergency dentist is available even on Saturday and Sunday mornings for emergency appointments.... The last time I needed to use them, I got in within 15 minutes...

[@phildamb1]

I'm in Warrington and I can't get an NHS dentist so I ended up paying for bupa instead. They are great and luckily I can claim 80% of the fees back on works health insurance. Otherwise it would be around £120 a year.

[@nickg2431]

What a flippin joke in the 6th richest country in the world....

[@markj66]

Glad you had a good experience and as always very interesting listening to your point of view - thanks for the fun in 2021 and I look forward to more next year!

[@TheJulianFletcher]

Registration with a practice is needed before you can book an NHS appointment with them - that will be the part that you’d have to wait 5 months for (varies per practice). Many dental practices cover both private and NHS patients, but you have to wait to register as NHS whilst they’ll probably take private patient immediately (more profitable for them). If you need emergency appointment and you aren’t NHS registered: call 111 and they can give you a reference to use at a choice of practices without registration.

[@AhrimanThorn]

My dentist is great. (NHS) It’s frustrating that the Americans think it’s funny to poke fun at the British for having poor dental hygiene. There are lot of things they can criticise us for, but bad teeth isn’t one of them. They probably think our teeth are bad because they’re not all bleached white like theirs are. I also unfortunately clench my jaw. Honestly it’s the worlds fault though. If I didn’t have to keep on looking at and listening to so much crazy stuff all the time, I wouldn’t be clenching my jaw.😁 Glad your experience was a positive one.

[@brentwoodbay]

I don't think that Americans look so bizarre just because of the brightness of their teeth, but also many seem to end up with veneers or crowns that are so big! You have all these people walking around down there with massive , almost bluey white teeth! or as my old Dad used to say . "She had a bloody mouth full of teeth!" It sort of reminds me of when I lived in Britain and some people would go and get a set of dentures in the brightest, non natural white they could get!

[@Realroyrogers]

@@brentwoodbay Canada, she is from Canada, Americans were not mentioned

[@brentwoodbay]

@@Realroyrogers I think we all know Alana is from Canada, Roy! I was replying to Rebecca above who did mention American teeth.

[@matc6221]

@@Violet-to4qq It is a bit ironic, but I watch a lot of US crime docs on ID and CBS Reality and stuff. And on a couple of occasions, when the FBI hit a problem with post-mortem forensic dental identifications, with their own specialists, they have used Cardiff Dental School at the University of Wales Hospital, for help. As it apparently has best forensic dentist team in the world, according to one of the US documentaries. And interviewed the team's head forensic dentist.

[@system3008]

@@Realroyrogers yeah Roy pay the fuck attention to what you are saying.

[@cdeford]

My first dentist as an adult was terrible, the second, who I went to for years, was good. And my current one is brilliant. Dentistry has come a long way in my lifetime. The stereotype of Brits having bad teeth has always been wrong, as statistics show. It's fueled by Brits not caring so much about having straight teeth (as opposed to healthy teeth). There's not much pressure to have braces when you're young.

[@zapkvr]

Yes but why do so many of them have bent teeth? Is it all that inbreeding because of the royals ? Seriously ever since I was a young lad I've found jaw shapes and malformed teeth in British that wouldn't be out of place in a home for cerebral palsy afflicted. I'm Australian and I'm not particularly good at caring for my teeth but they're all perfectly straight.

[@anastasia10017]

not so true. I take care of my teeth. I am anglo american and one time I went to the dentist in England and he called in all the other dentists in the office to come look at my teeth. It was a surprise to me to have 4 dentists looking in my mouth and asked what they were looking at -- and the dentist muttered "the exceedingly high quality of american dentistry and your personal high oral hygiene standards".

[@b_altmann]

If you‘re in London, then go to Mare Street for a German dentist. I‘ve been going since I have come to London in 2007. What you want from a dentist is having the „minimal invasive“ approach, ie not redo fillings when it‘s not needed. As my dentist in Germany used to say: teeth don’t grow back!

[@darransmith32]

It's worth mentioning that the costs you pay for NHS bands are not "PER VISIT". If your treatment is "band 1" you pay your twenty or so pounds and may visit the dentist many times, receiving numerous fillings, xrays etc for that one payment. Each band covers a set number of fillings, xrays, cleans that you can have for that one payment. It's a bit like the way Americans buy a drink and the waiter keeps coming back and topping it up without charging again for that topup. Private dentistry is more like the traditional British way of receiving drinks where you pay per topup (because it's considered a second drink).

[@shezzor]

It should be noted, this is only true for a limited window from your first appointment. I want to say 3 months (but it could be 6 months, not sure), so you'll only pay the additional amount if you go back to have further work and your previous band did not cover it.

[@zaixai9441]

That's interesting. I've never had to wait more than a few days for a dental appointment on the NHS.

[@matc6221]

Just noticed the new A+N logo design. Really good it is too! 😎 👌

[@sparkequinox]

A realistic expectation for dentist appointments pre-covid is within 1-2 days for emergent (pain) and 1-3 weeks for checkups. If its very bad (I have had severe pain before) I have needed A&E dental checks for weekends when dentists have been closed. Right now, the only appointments NHS dentists are doing is emergent and with making sure less people are in at the same time, there is far less appointments. The "not until april" is likely just when they expect routine appointments to start back.

[@rebeccamills3886]

I have a private dentist because I moved and couldn’t find a local NHS dentist. I go every 6 months for a clean and check up and it usually costs around £100. If I have X-rays that typically adds another £20 or so depending on how many X-rays the dentist needs.

[@TomTom-ys3zp]

We ended up going down the private route due to difficulty getting an NHS dentist. Now have a family denplan where you pay monthly and it covers checks and cleans every 6 months and all other things except lab fees.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

That's great!

[@dragonmac1234]

It's good to hear your pain wasn't serious Alanna, I had a similar problem about a month ago and discovered the root on one if my wisdom teeth is decayed and it will have to be removed. I've been an NHS patient for years, and it is worth staying with them as long as you can.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks for watching! Hope your tooth turns out OK!

[@dave_h_8742]

@@AdventuresAndNaps root canal was offered for a molar but was only 50/50 of working as there was an abscess on it and half the tooth was broken away so just had it pulled out problem solved for £60 with NHS subsidies.

[@JamesThompson97]

The 5 month backlog is only if you haven’t already registered as an nhs member for that dentist. If you’re already a member, they’ll often see you the same day.

[@gastrickbunsen1957]

Much respect for not using the c word, you're such a thoughtful c"n# 😉

[@mr.mmarkham9014]

Usually band A is normal treatment or visit, which is around £25. (Seems to go up a pound every year) The next band is for like extractions or fillings. And the third band is root canals and crowns and is the most expensive. You usually only have to pay once for the treatment in a band, even if you have to come back on another day to complete the treatment. My advise for anyone wanting to go NHS dentist, go register right away, so that you are able to be an NHS treatment patient to save money down the road. Alanna, you might need a mouth guard thingy. I use to grind my teeth in my sleep and used to get a terrible jaw ache and the dentist sent me to get fitted for a mouthguard to use in my sleep. Sorted my problem after a few months. Another thing to note, that they will clean the teeth during a check up as well, but some dentist may suggest the dental hygienist visit for tarter removal if you get a build up which will cost extra and will be another visit entirely.

[@rvdammit]

In my experience the NHS treatments basic options. For a crown you get to choose which colour of the basic metal you get. With a private dentist you get all the fancy sculpting and materials. I think this is why they are also 'priced from', theres so many options to go through it only makes sense once to explore them once you know the type of treatment.

[@carl48uk]

Never had a problem with emergency dental treatment on the NHS here in the Midlands? Do you think that the problem with the NHS side might have been due to a backlog caused by Covid lockdowns?

[@emmamaclean737]

Probably everything is back logged

[@steveb1972]

Yes Carl I’m in Birmingham and have had a couple of NHS emergency appointments in the past with no problems.

[@alanwatson5929]

Had you registered with an NHS dentist when you arrived in the UK then you would have been able to get an emergency appointment normally within 48 hours.

[@terencewilliams789]

There are 3 bands of charges that cover all dental work . They range from £23.80 for xrays cleans to £65.50 for extractions , root canal and fillings etc to £282.80 for complex work like crowns , dentures and bridges. Many large cities have dental hospitals . Its all on the nhs website. BTW check what you can get on eye tests as you wear glasses . Xx .

[@Theinternalrewrite]

My wife has been given a kind of teeth shield, like a plastic retainer, to deal with grinding the jaw in her sleep. It has helped relieve headaches and jaw aches she would have when she woke up.

[@philcoogan7369]

Hi So please you had a good experience, hold onto that dentist and cherish them. We used to have much better access to NHS dentists than now, way back the system got changed for the dentists and NHS became much harder to get, these days it varies around the country. Where my sister lives she's registered with a NHS dental surgery but rarely gets the same dentist twice.

[@jeremysmith54565]

Its a dental practice is what you mean, they're always private but then offer usually a very limited number of NHS patient slots where you only pay about 25% of the cost (or least thats how it used to be, now the charges are on bands).If on income assessed welfare benefits (not contributory where you've paid a certain amount of NI where its not assessed on income lasts about 6 months).

[@NAYG89]

Emergency dentist appointments are available via the NHS and are often within 24 hours but you may have to travel a bit further than your regular dentist, you can also go to A&E if needs be but you're right, the majority of Dentists take both NHS and Private appointments.

[@tonys1636]

You may be lucky like I was that my nearest A&E was in a Teaching Hospital that had a Dental School, no travelling from A&E to an Hospital that had a Dental Department.

[@redf7209]

You can actually also get dental insurance for about £7 per month.

[@allenwilliams1306]

Quite correct. Also, the dentist I used most recently had a big sign saying: Patients in pain seen immediately. In that case, I don't think many will send you away, NHS or not.

[@browpetj]

@@allenwilliams1306 you have to be registered at the dentist though. If you move somewhere new and call them up without registering first, they can refuse emergency appts on NHS. Especially if they are busy or have made their quota of patients on the books.

[@peterlloyd8313]

I live near you I assume , in Chatham Kent. So you can ring DENTALINE for emergency treatment. These are held in different dentists all over the Medway area.

[@iainmalcolm9583]

Glad you had a good experience. I remember my dad telling me his dentist would proudly show him the latest equipment that they had purchased, what it cost and what it could do. And then offered him an 'extra' treatment for a price. Got to pay for the equipment some how I guess.

[@NGT4LIFE]

I had my first nhs dentist appointment only a few days after becoming a new patient..I called to become a new patient on a Friday morning.went to the dentist for a new patient form,filled it in,handed it back to the receptionist,then I was seen the following Monday. Glad I wasnt told I'd have to wait 5 months.

[@Malfie657]

You did well to get an NHS check-up appointment that fast Alanna! It depends where you live of course but it can be longer than that, and getting emergency NHS dental treatment is VERY difficult. Many dentists have gone private only or won't take new NHS patients, so it can be frustrating. I had an issue that was considered 'cosmetic' (not by me!) and was told that the NHS would probably not do the work at all, or even if they did I'd be added to a very long list - the private option was far quicker but literally ran into thousands of pounds.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

That's crazy!!

[@allenwilliams1306]

@@AdventuresAndNaps Not really crazy. The NHS is there to ensure people's health, not beauty. Nor is it there to provide treatment people want, but don't actually need. Hence you won't get cosmetic surgery, or dental surgery, on the NHS, except where it is required to correct psychological problems. Private-only dentists are generally found in more prosperous areas and, as there is a general shortage of dentists, they tend to sell their services more strongly and quite effectively there.

[@jillhobson6128]

@@AdventuresAndNaps You should have registered with a dentist years ago. I presume you registered with a doctor.

[@Mike-zg1ml]

Had a checkup a few weeks back. Only a 4 week wait for a checkup even with the covid delays, can't complain there. The band system is great, especially considering each band includes the stuff below it. Needed a root canal and crown a couple of years back, but also needed a filling on another tooth, essentially got the filling for free because it was all classed as one treatment plan so the band 2 filling was covered by the cost of the band 3 root canal and crown.

[@jillianb8992]

Also a clencher and just was fitted for a NightGuard a couple weeks ago - yay dental benefits!! I do notice sometimes when I'm chenching and other times I don't - like at night, but I must be. Happy it wasn't anything more than clenching for you. :D

[@susiepoulter4548]

It's worth you getting on the books for the NHS. I moved to another county and found a NHS dentist straight away. Although l had to be put on a waiting list . Had to go private at first while waiting to get on the books. Paid the earth for a filling. But now happy to be on the NHS. Do make sure, you keep your appointments twice a year. X

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks for the tip!

[@chrisshelley3027]

Hi Alanna, sorry that you needed the dentist, I think the term/phrase that you were looking for is Dentist/Dental Practice both work, I have used both NHS and private and I don't notice any difference between them, often it is with the same dentist too, the only difference I have noticed is between the actual person/dentist and not the practice I go to, as with much in life, people are different and so it follows that different dentists will be better or not. I'm pleased that you were sorted quickly and efficiently. Take care and stay safe :)

[@hvee4]

Last Easter I started getting pain on the Saturday and by late Sunday it was quite unbearable, my NHS dentist was obviously closed on bank holiday Monday but I rang them 830am on the Tuesday, I was in the chair by 130pm the same day and an abscess was diagnosed and treatment began immediately, not going to say it was pleasant but I was so grateful to get in especially as it was just deep in the grips of the pandemic..

[@MrFlazz99]

Good to know that your problem was easy to resolve! I had impacted wisdom teeth for over 30 years - no problem for at least 20 of those years and then I'd get occasionally blasts of discomfort that died away again quickly. Then it suddenty got to the I-will-do-anything-for-treatment point...and I'd not been to a dentist since the '80s. A lot of phoning around, being pushed from pillar to post before I finally found a place that would take me as an NHS patient. Halleluia!

[@gusdapuppywilliams2967]

Girl, I’m glad you went and set your mind at rest. I’m also glad that you booked your checkup. For TMJ pain sometimes a warm moist towel on your face will help with the pain.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@nickg2431]

@@AdventuresAndNaps Or a disolvable piece of a paracetomol tablet between the teeth kept my tooth pain at bay for a month before i could get to my dentist overseas.

[@Brian-om2hh]

I was quite lucky a few years back, when my dentist went 100% private. A similar thing had happened to my partner a couple of years before, and she was fortunate enough to be taken on as an NHS patient by a practice in a small village 10 miles from us. Around the time my dentists advised me they were giving up treating NHS patients, my partner discovered her dentist was prepared to take on a couple of dozen new NHS patients, so I quickly enquired and was successful in getting enrolled. I have to say this practice is one of the nicest and best ones I have ever visited. Both the receptionists and the dentists themselves are very personable, and do a brilliant job. Plus there's the pleasure of driving through gorgeous North Yorkshire scenery on the way there and back! One thing I discovered here was that a dentist can issue prescriptions. I never knew that, until my new dentist issued me with one for some fancy toothpaste to treat a specific condition I have. And usefully, the village chemist is immediately over the road from the dentist. And there's an old fashioned sweetshop in the village too, which has dozens of big glass jars full of sweets you never imagined you could get anymore. After one dental appointment I just couldn't resist going in and buying something. I happened to say to the lady behind the counter " I really shouldn't be in here, as I've just come out of the dentist's surgery". She replied by saying " oh, they all come in here after having their teeth done, even the dentists themselves".........

[@zhukov43]

I saw a dentist in France once, glad I had travel insurance, otherwise I’d have forked out a pile, the experience was a nice one too, just the same as here really, but when I was 16 I had semi serious surgery on my tongue, and they did it whilst I was awake, being jabbed in your tongue isn’t nice at all.

[@ruadhagainagaidheal9398]

I recently moved from Cornwall to a very pleasant South Midland Spa town. I applied to every dental practice within 5 miles. No new NHS patients are accepted. After lockdown I had quite a bit of work to be done and it has cost me over £3,000 to get “Dentally fit”. A lot of money for me as I have to live on the “old” state pension of just £137.50 a week.

[@RK-ti2qq]

You are quite the storyteller. Had me on the edge of my seat, you did.

[@Musicbomb29]

I’m an American that moved to the UK. I had a similar experience where I needed to go to the dentist for pain and the NHS had no availability for about 6 months. So I went to the local private dentist immediately. The biggest difference for me is that they don’t offer anesthesia or sedation in office. Cost to me also wasn’t too terrible compared to the cost of US dental care even with insurance. I now also go to the dentist every 3-4 months for checkups/cleanings and find that I don’t have many issues with my teeth.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks for sharing, that's really interesting!

[@hanfran89]

I'm a Dental Nurse and you can get it in Office, it just depends on whether you go to a Practice that provides Sedation or not. If your Dental Practice doesn't offer it they will usually refer you to another Practice nearby that does so there are ways around it so don't worry about going to Hospital if you need Sedation 😊 You don't necessarily need everything done in Hospital, but you are correct in saying that General Anaesthesia is only available in Hospital, it is considered a High Risk option here and isn't something that a Dentist would consider unless there is no other option, for example, if the Patient has Additional Special Needs and would not be able to tolerate Treatment in Clinic, or if someone was very Medically Compromised. It's good to see it from your perspective cost wise, we are very lucky to have the NHS, I just hope it stays this way 😟

[@gillianrimmer7733]

@@AdventuresAndNaps If you are already a registered patient with an NHS dentist, you don't have to wait for an emergency appointment. If you haven't bothered to register with a dentist and go for regular check ups, then it's your own fault if you can't get an NHS appointment when problems appear. What you were talking about is waiting to get on the dentist's NHS list - which is another matter altogether Once you registered with an NHS dentist, there is no waiting if you need urgent treatment.

[@babyballerina2000]

You can get local anesthetic in the dentist's office. A numbing injection in your mouth. But I think general anesthetic has been banned since some people died in the 80s. As already posted above by Hannah, you have to go to hospital for that, and it's pretty rare unless your problem is extreme.

[@gordona2820]

It depends on the area but certainly in the South East you will be doing well to find a dentist that will accept new NHS patients. I would even go so far to suggest that if you find one that does then I’d be nervous about using them. The NHS is fine for a lot of things (pre Covid anyway) but unless you are very short of money I’d recommend that a) you go private with a little insurance plan from the dentist and b) try to get the recommendation of locals if poss.

[@cyberash3000]

I get my regular appointments on the nhs every 6 months. And had no problem witb the. I can get emergency treatment within a day or two

[@stephenlewis9159]

My advice? Get a check-up in the UK but no treatment. Schedule this a week before your nice holiday in e.g. Mexico. Well before your sunny warm holiday during our cold dark wet winter, search for dentists in your resort town and lo and behold - you will find a ton of English speaking dentists who undercut your British and American dentists by a mile but have the same facilities. Book an appointment with them to fix your problem.

[@alwaysamber1]

You need to try to register as an NHS patient, which could take some time, when you do, go for regular check ups, if you leave it 12 months they remove you from their books, I'm with an NHS dentist, and had to have an emergency appointment, which like yours was within 24 hours, also two further appointments for a root canal treatment, the total cost was £65.10.

[@Bob_just_Bob]

That up-selling crap would have been enough for me to never go back. What also puts me off is Dentists that shame you when there’s something you overlooked or whatever. I’m an adult and responsible for my own actions and their outcomes. £50 for that visit is still much cheaper than a US especially New York Dentist. I certainly wouldn’t complain about £50 knowing the alternative

[@jledgister]

You got a good one make sure u keep up with them

[@angelavara4097]

I live in West Midlands and my dentist is great,the practice is Blue Cross.

[@jruz1738]

A lot of companies over here do offer insurance through a company called Westfield, or something like that. It covers you for Dental and Opticians fees and gets you some sick pay if you have to go into hospital.

[@blindarchershaunhenderson3769]

Book an appointment as an NHS patient for a check-up in 6-months, as you leave after that appointment, book another appointment so you'll end up getting 6 monthly checks on the NHS as a maintenance routine.

[@frankbrodie5168]

Having talked to my American friends online (and so I'm making the possibly incorrect assumption that Canada maybe similar) I would say that the shock incoming for any Americans and/or Canadians receiving dental treatment in the UK might be that it is not standard practice to perform dental procedures under anything other than local anesthetics. Certainly not for many years anyway. I do rememeber having gas as a child, and it being an absolutely awful experience.

[@martinconnelly1473]

Gas as a child, awful experience, me too.

[@lefttrunleft]

I live in British Columbia (Canada) and all my dental procuedures at the dentists office have been under local anesthetic. I did however have a general anesthetic when I had jaw surgery in 2003 at a hospital (performed by a dental surgeon who specializes in this) to correct an underbite.

[@stephenbarnard8672]

Nothing to add to all the previous comments except to wish you a Happy New Year Alanna, one of my favourite KZbinrs.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you so much!!

[@seedhillbruisermusic7939]

I never had a problem getting an NHS appointment on the same day I phoned. Maybe it's different in Scotland. I was always prone to abcesses but if I was in pain I'd phone up my dentist and I'd always get an appointment that day on the NHS. Maybe it's different in england to scotland where I'm from, but my NHS dental care, pre-pandemic, was wonderful.

[@madcockney]

You need to register with an NHS dentist first. Then they will see you in an emergency. When I have moved from one area to another the first things I do is register with a NHS doctor and and dentist. With the latter you will also get regular check ups for a moderate fee prescribed by the NHS. The biggest issue in many places is finding an NHS dentist that is accepting new patients.

[@sshaqs2000]

Nice that you're registered to join an nhs dentist. But almost always after a check up they will tell you to see a hygienist which isn't covered by set nhs. But it's well worth having it done.

[@seanwoolley3095]

Glad to hear you had a pleasant experience at the dentist, not a big fan myself. Merry Christmas and all the best for the new year x .

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks so much!

[@davidjones332]

I've never had a problem getting an urgent NHS dental appointment if I needed it. That said, Covid has meant that they cannot get through as many patients due to the need to sanitise the surgery between patients, so the current situation with long waiting times is not typical of normal performance.

[@rolanddunk5054]

Hi Alanna, you made the right decision,every thing is OK, which gives you peace of mind, plus you have got your foot in the door regarding becoming an NHS.patient.all the best ,Roly🇬🇧.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

You're absolutely right! Thanks for watching

[@terryhughes9291]

i have an nhs dentist and have never had a problem getting an appointment whenever i have wanted it.

[@mirvids5036]

Glad you went. After I commented on your previous dentist vid I developed tooth ache myself. After the dentist suggested painkillers for a few days it went ! I think I stabbed a gum with a crisp or something. Private dentists are expensive and do vary in price amongst themselves. The gain, like you found out, is the quicker availability of appointments etc. Nice black nail varnish btw !

[@thelastpilot4582]

I was NHS for years but my Dentist went private same treatment only a lot more expensive. Then I snapped a tooth of my denture Private £50, (NHS Free). The private repair was just handed to me and when I later tried it ,it was too tight. After a week it broke again. I have now gone back to NHS or at least I have joined a waiting list to become a patient. The NHS dentist agreed to see me and I got a free repair which they fitted to suit.

[@kevinmolyneux7394]

My US dentists admired the fillings I had from UK work.

[@shadoman7682]

Yep the dentists are terrifying in the UK. I hadn't gone to the dentist in 20 years and decided to have a check-up. The dentist said my teeth were all fine, no filling, no problems at all. The dentist however had poked and bashed my teeth around so much I was getting tooth ache on & off for a year before it finally stopped.

[@white_clover767]

Im so scared of the dentist. After immigrating to the Faroe Islands I needed to go to the dentist, it was lovely. I told them I was a very anxious dental patient. The Dental assistant help my hand and the dentist lady hummed a song to distract me.

[@rowesk]

That's adorable! I think my last dentist was a butcher or a war surgeon in a previous life…

[@jillhobson6128]

In the Faroes, they're probably used to killing whales.

[@nickg2431]

When i went to a private clinic in turkey i got on so well with the dentist he took me out for a meal with all his family at a top 'society' fish restaurant at the end.

[@alexrobert13]

This video actually reminded me to try and call my dentist this morning, not sure if I have lost a filling or chipped a tooth, but either way got an appointment for next week ( January ‘22 )! So for that reminder to try and call I thank you Alana! ( Please forgive me if I have spelt your name wrong! )

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Glad you got an appointment!!

[@alexrobert13]

@@AdventuresAndNaps thought the line went dead while she was checking for an appointment! Almost made an even bigger fool of myself by saying “Hello are you there?”

[@leematthews6812]

I've never been to a dentist outside the UK, but I'm sure you get good or bad or indifferent dentists whatever country you're in. Glad it all worked out for you.

[@Glenner7]

Gwate wideo awanna... oops, I overdid the jaw unclenching... great video Alanna!

[@rumple503]

My bf also had a pain in his teeth so big that he couldn't sleep or work. It was doing the pandemic so everything was delayed just like it happened to you. What I was advised to do back than was call 111. They booked an emergency appointment in a clinic a bit far from us in that same day in the evening (around 9 pm)

[@CraigPaulWilson]

Some employers here in the UK will also give you dental coverage - e.g. mine give both private healthcare and a dental plan through Bupa.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

That's great!

[@julianshepherd2038]

I phoned yesterday morning and had the NHS appointment and treatment by 5pm. Everyone was nice and I paid zero because Scotland

[@stevebarlow3154]

The Government reduced NHS payments to dentists some years ago and that lead a lot of them having to go fully private and people, especially in small towns and rural areas, having trouble finding any dentist at all. The Covid pandemic has meant that dentists can only see a small number of patients at present, due to the cleaning needed after each treatment. Before the pandemic as an NHS patient I could usually get an appointment one or two weeks later. In an emergency I was treated the next day and on one occasion the same afternoon.

[@Dan-zb7vn]

Got to get yourself registered as an NHS patient soon as possible, you get the same treatment but at a set fee,my dentist also does private cosmetic dentistry which I've had.

[@Tom_YouTube_stole_my_handle]

That’s not quite correct. You get the treatment the NHS has agreed to pay for for any problem and that may fall short of the possibilities offered to a private patient.

[@harrisonandrew]

Alanna, your experience chimes well with mine. I tried to get an NHS dentist years and years ago and could not get one. So I have been private ever since. It’s expensive, but you need a quick appointment if your teeth are giving you jip.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

I agree!

[@johnlee3899]

There are also dental hospitals for emergency appointments.

[@Lanser1964]

when my girlfriend finally is able to come here the first thing to set up will be finding an NHS dentist for the initial 6 monthly checkup along with registering with a GP. If we cant find one then private but with something like Denplan (a kind of insurance) Like with most things there are good and bad the worst ones are the cheap private emergency ones, in most towns. As for selling other stuff never really happened, sometimes they recommend a clean but will also give tips on self cleaning flossing etc. The US thing about bad health for uk teeth is probably becaus eUS dentists push for extra services not related to the health of your teeth, straightening whitening etc.

[@kenc6748]

I'm also a clencher, the thing is i'm not aware i'm doing it till the ache starts.

[@docsmellyfella]

Big lesson is register with an NHS Dentist and Doctor as soon as you move to a new area. I have always done this and never had any problems.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Great tip!

[@matc6221]

Such an informative video and I am glad you didn't go under the drill or have anything pulled.👍

[@Bluedex2011]

Thanks for sharing - anxiety makes me grind my jaw too 😉 Wishing you a happy and healthy 2022 Alanna !!!

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks so much!

[@patrickh8602]

I was lucky to find an NHS dentist quite quickly after not going to the dentist for a few years. I have found the only difference between private and NHS care is the price! If you're new to the UK don't be afraid of UK dentists, they are some of the best in the world at what they do.

[@zapkvr]

The best dentists in the world are in NZ.

[@Jay_Beez]

Wow, 5 months for an appointment! I had the same issue with my jaw, but it was very sore for only a few days, so I waited the 2 months for the next available appointment 😅! I was able to book an appointment with a dental hygienist within a week though (guess it was private?) who was able to alleviate any fears of it being any more serious. My dentist does both NHS and private, so usually you can go for an NHS appointment and then get private treatment if the options are better (e.g. white fillings for cavities instead of silver on NHS).

[@davidwhite5800]

I think availability of NHS dentistry varies a lot around the country. Understandably some dentists would rather have private patients because they can make more money from them but most take on both private and NHS patients.

[@schrodingerscat1863]

Best advice is find a really good private dentist, its worth the money, I never had anything but trouble with NHS dentists. £50 for private checkup with x-rays is really quite good value, my dentist charges much more than that but they are in central London where everything costs twice as much.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks for the tip!

[@skipper409]

NHS patients are placed on a waiting list, as each dentist has a finite number of NHS patients on their books….that’s why the 5 month wait….to get on the list. Once you’re on their list, the appointments thereafter are no slower than private ones

[@alansmith2197]

Here's my recent experience of private treatment for sudden toothache. I needed an emergency appointment to diagnose which tooth need attention. It was a molar that needed root-canal work and was given a white filling afterward. I opted to go private for a quick result. Within the same week, I was treated, and had the super-deluxe scale & polish as well. Total time was 2 hours, so far, at a cost of £640. 1 week later, the tooth broke in half, so I requested having it yanked. This bit didn't cost me any extra. The main problem with dentists here in the UK, is that the NHS scale doesn't cover the dentists costs sufficiently, so a lot of them are not taking on new NHS patients.

[@elliewoolstenholmes108]

My top tip is to register with a dentist asap. When I moved to my current city I didn't register with a dentist and now I need one. Been trying to find one locally for 3 years and the closest I can get is 40 miles away.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Ouch! Great tip, though

[@elliewoolstenholmes108]

@@AdventuresAndNaps I know for certain I have my first cavity ever because it's in one of my front teeth and I can bloody see it but because it's not causing me pain, I can't use the NHS dental access clinic 😔

[@matc6221]

OMG Alanna, that's what I was told! Firstly it was your previous comment on a recent video, that inspired me to check out the tendernes in my bottom teeth. So they xrayed and found I have fractured 3 teeth from grinding in my sleep. It's from anxiety and its important to keep a look out as it's a tooth waring condition called Bruxism, so please be aware. But thanks for getting me to sort out my teefs👍😜. Unfortunately I have to have 3 fillings now 😭. But please keep on top of the grinding 👌

[@sarahclifford2015]

I have been grinding my teeth at night since I was a child, so it’s not just anxiety. I also clench my jaw, once so badly that my jaw actually seized up. A lot of my teeth are cracked due to the grinding. I now wear a mouthpiece at night made of plastic, a bit like a gum shield, it’s not an attractive look but it does help. I can tell if I haven’t worn it for a few days. Unfortunately this was advised to me too late so my teeth are permanently damaged, some I have had taken out and some crowned. So please if you think you are grinding ask about the mouth guard, it can save a lot of pain, money and teeth.

[@matc6221]

@@sarahclifford2015 Ah, Alanna suffers from anxiety, as do I, and she said she had been stressed lately. I did nt think it happened to non anxiety sufferers tbh, but both my last dentist and my current one have linked my grinning to anxiety. Yes very true about the mouth guard. My last dentist was very very keen to sell me one for hundreds of pounds. I couldn't afford it and my new dentist says I only have very minimal wear. But that's why I said keep an eye on it...Its a strange thing to do in our sleep, but it seems quite a common condition 🤔

[@charlestaylor9424]

Part of the problem is the amount of extra time any droplet causing treatments need. The dentist and nurse need PPE and the room needs deep cleaning afterwards.

[@redf7209]

Availability of NHS dentists is much worse in south because the NHS subsidy does not stretch as far with southern overheads. Usually they expect you to have registered in advance and be happy to attend for regular yearly checkups that add to more income for them, Its this that makes the offer of NHS treatment feasible. You might therefore have had different answers if you had asked for a nhs check up. many practices have a nhs dentist and a private dentist. NHS treatment usually comes with guarantees etc

[@cadifan]

Dentistry in New Zealand isn't covered by the healthcare system, (except dentists in hospitals) so going the dentist is going to be expensive. It's only covered if you've had an accident. I haven't been to the dentist since I got my wisdom teeth out in my 20s and I'm nearly 62 and that was by a hospital dentist.

[@AndrisLelisTravelChanel]

I for my 12 years in UK never visited here dentist. I go every year to Canary Islands, there are very good and affordable dentists.

[@norman200]

Sinc e I moved to Wales 2 and a half year ago" haven't been able to get a NHS dentist! I do feel terrified of going to the dentist.

[@markwalsh1474]

Another great informative vid...These vid really work . Many thanks ..

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thanks so much!

[@kdean9537]

Hi Alanna, sorry to hear of your jaw pain, my husband has had jaw pain for years and his jaw swells up. He has an appliance now (a mold for his bottom teeth) it's thicker than a retainer that you would get after braces. It helps him from clenching and grinding his teeth & for him it works to relax his jaw, even having his mouth open wide for dental cleaning can set it off. Hopefully yours doesn't get that bad. We are fortunate we have a wonderful dentist in Ontario. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, 🎄🎄warmest wishes for a Peaceful, Healthy & Happy New Year! Much love Kathy x 💖Ontario, Canada

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!!

[@keithweelands5822]

I was in a bad marriage and ground my teeth, got a guard and ground through it in 1 month. Solution divorce haven't ground my teeth since.

[@jameswebster3276]

I have the same problem from anxiety and grinding my teeth. I've found that gum helps a lot.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

That's a good point, thanks for sharing!

[@Andrew-yz1lb]

your very lucky to be able to get an nhs appoinntment, alot of places arent accepting new patients. always book your next nhs check up as you leave the dentists room. 6 months or a year. mines booked for dec 22!😁

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Good point!

[@matc6221]

There's Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Holiday Monday and now Alannaday & Holiday Tuesday! 😀🎉 F'king Brilliant! 😉

[@imperium2na]

Look into getting a mouth guard I really wish I had got mine sooner. I've had crowns, fillings, root canals and lost several teeth because of clenching and grinding.

[@sarahclifford2015]

I am the same as you, I have 3 crowns, 2 teeth removed and another has 2 cracks so really needs removing. I had a mouth guard approx 30 years ago because my jaw seized up, but no one ever told me the long term affects and that was private and nhs dentists. I have a lovely nhs dentist now who insisted on the mouth guard, but it is years too late.

[@CLUTCHKID111]

As for nhs vs private, I once needed a root canal procedure. My dentist said to me, on NHS treatment I can only use this tool, but if you go private I can use this tool and go a more thorough job. Numbed up with mouth wide open you don’t need that choice. I think most ‘good’ dentists will always do their best, but it seems their hands are tied with certain procedures.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Wow, that's fascinating!