Black Hole
May contain traces of nut
Posting here because I have limited access to a range of opinions and knowledge, and hope to tap the community:
For years I have been going to a private practice about 12 miles away. The dentist's chair is the last place I want to be and they were very good with me (I was introduced there by my former partner). The practice was run by two brothers, who retired earlier this year and sold the practice to a new man.
Despite being private the charges were OK. They've now rocketed up (of course), and I have no reason to be loyal to the new man, especially as getting there is inconvenient (I know it's not that far, but city traffic, parking fees, etc...).
I have no idea how NHS dentistry works, or why everyone isn't entitled to NHS treatment (presuming it's not just cosmetic - or is everything cosmetic unless it is relieving pain?). Anyway, I rang the NHS (Wales) Dental Helpline and got a recorded message advising me to email. The response to the email was a list of practices currently accepting new patients, and one of them is very close to me.
So I called in and asked to sign on. It's in a shopping precinct on a council estate, not a very nice part of town (you wouldn't want to park a decent car), and the reception area is like a typical NHS clinic. Okay, so I guess they are qualified dentists with up-to-date equipment and a full range of treatment options, right?
The trouble is, they won't see me for another three weeks and I have a problem now. I suspect the only reason I am not in pain right now is that I had a root canal job on that particular tooth. I suspect I have some kind of infection under it, and being upper jaw the infection could spread to critical areas.
Do I:
For years I have been going to a private practice about 12 miles away. The dentist's chair is the last place I want to be and they were very good with me (I was introduced there by my former partner). The practice was run by two brothers, who retired earlier this year and sold the practice to a new man.
Despite being private the charges were OK. They've now rocketed up (of course), and I have no reason to be loyal to the new man, especially as getting there is inconvenient (I know it's not that far, but city traffic, parking fees, etc...).
I have no idea how NHS dentistry works, or why everyone isn't entitled to NHS treatment (presuming it's not just cosmetic - or is everything cosmetic unless it is relieving pain?). Anyway, I rang the NHS (Wales) Dental Helpline and got a recorded message advising me to email. The response to the email was a list of practices currently accepting new patients, and one of them is very close to me.
So I called in and asked to sign on. It's in a shopping precinct on a council estate, not a very nice part of town (you wouldn't want to park a decent car), and the reception area is like a typical NHS clinic. Okay, so I guess they are qualified dentists with up-to-date equipment and a full range of treatment options, right?
The trouble is, they won't see me for another three weeks and I have a problem now. I suspect the only reason I am not in pain right now is that I had a root canal job on that particular tooth. I suspect I have some kind of infection under it, and being upper jaw the infection could spread to critical areas.
Do I:
- Go see my GP;
- Ring up the NHS helpline and ask for emergency treatment;
- Go back to my old practice with the new man, where I have no doubt I can get a quick appointment.
- Stick with the old practice;
- Follow through with the NHS registration.