What can i do about dental work with no NHS dentists anywhere near me?

Posted by PozzieMozzie@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 30 comments

Sorry this is so long and yeah, this is going to open a can of worms i think. Ive had bad teeth all my life, i was diagnosed with very weak enamel a few years ago and found out i was brushing my teeth very badly. I was brushing 3 times a day and straight after food and drink which is really bad, especially after things like orange juice or fizzy drinks as these soften the enamel and then i was destroying it even quicker due to not waiting 30-60 mins after eating/drinking to brush. So ive had problems for at least the last 20 years. Its all come to a head now, ive got no teeth on top deck and a few on bottom deck but these are damaged too, i cant remember the last time i ate anything without at least a bit of pain unless i eat things like baby food or thin soups (anything that requires no chewing). I had a top deck denture made for me (10 years ago) on NHS but it kept breaking and needing repair so i bit the bullet (pun intended) and saved up for a plate that was bendy, it cost £650 and worked for a while... now ive lost more teeth on top it doesnt fit anymore and hasnt for 4 years.. So the crux is, i cant properly eat anything that isnt blended and its so so depressing and i dont smile much cos im embarrassed... there are absolutely no NHS dentists near me taking patients (ive spent last 2 weeks phoning every one in a 60 mile radius) i dont have transport so any dentist would have to be got to by public transport and i dont have a dental school near me either so thats out of the question... i also cant work anymore due to disabilities so saving up for private work is not possible either. Does anyone have any ideas that i can do, i cant really take it anymore... seeing others tuck into a nice steak or crispy whatever makes my heart sink as i love food but cant enjoy anything that isnt soup or mushed up horribleness. I tried to eat a burger recently and after 10 mins just gave up, went home leaving the whole plate basically untouched and cried myself to sleep that night, it just so demoralising to not be able to eat... I just dont know what to do anymore, whats the point if i have to subsist on a liquid diet?. Please please UK... can anyone help with ideas? I basically lost all my family members in a car accident recently and have nobody to turn to for support anymore.. im so close to my break point.

Reply to Post

30 Comments

[-]

mandydreamer@reddit

I know it was a while ago since you posted but did you get your teeth sorted & if so have you any tips on what worked for you? it’s dreadful being stuck in constant tooth ache & no food due to sheer pain 😞 many thanks for any help you can give

[-]

yourlocallidl@reddit

You need to get your hands on some fuji 9.

[-]

p0ggs@reddit

is this a 'Would I Lie To You?' reference, perchance?? :)

[-]

jjgill27@reddit

I go to budapest for my dental work. 1/3 of the price for fantastic treatment.

[-]

chelzehrae@reddit

Just a warning, if you need an emergency dentist visit in the UK, most dentists won’t touch work from other countries (implants, crowns, bridges) and will advised you to go back to the country you had the work done for them to sort

[-]

Doc_Sithicus@reddit

It's quite simple. If your treatment fails, it's your problem. If your local British dentist tries to resolve the situation, it becomes his problem. He doesn't want your problem to become his problem.

[-]

mymumscarproblems@reddit

Any recommendations for places/companies? I fear I have some catching up to do for years of not seeing a dentist

[-]

jjgill27@reddit

I use a clinic called Nador Dental. They all speak English, are very professional and helpful, and the facilities are excellent. You can rent an apartment in the same building if you don’t want the expense of a hotel. I went alone and hate the dentist. I needed quite a lot done and had it under sedation. I’m back out there in January. 😬 Flights are super cheap this time of year too.

[-]

ProduceAdvanced7391@reddit

What county?

[-]

PozzieMozzie@reddit (OP)

Im in West Sussex so can make it to London if i have to... i dont have much money for fares but if its to get my teeth sorted just so i can eat properly then i will find the cash.

[-]

ProduceAdvanced7391@reddit

Do it. You will feel better in the end

[-]

ProduceAdvanced7391@reddit

You should call 111 and tell them your dental trouble and you're in a lot of pain. They will be able to get you an emergency appointment with a NHS dentist near you. I know this because I don't have a dentist either

[-]

JavaRuby2000@reddit

They "should" be able to but, in my case they couldn't. They told me sorry none in your area and we have moved the emergency dentist out of county.

[-]

Jenksy-@reddit

This here is the best advice. Took me 3 weeks to get in still mind but it's by far your best best for dental work on the nhs

[-]

AXX-100@reddit

If you’re in London I know a practice that’s taking on patients - dm me

[-]

PozzieMozzie@reddit (OP)

Hi there, thanks for replying... unfortunately im not in London.. im on the South Coast. I am looking at contacting one of the 2 dental schools in London to see if they can help tho. Thanks again for replying, i appreciate it.

[-]

LikeTheRomanISee@reddit

Credit card? Your health is more important than money, even if it takes you a while to pay it off.

[-]

PozzieMozzie@reddit (OP)

Thanks for replying... i dont have a credit card and i dont have a good enough credit rating to get one... but i really appreciate the idea and you taking the time to reply. Thanks again.

[-]

pixieemj@reddit

Don’t give up on this. It’s been a long time, you deserve to smile and eat good food, something many of us take for granted I’m sure! Ask around allll the dentists, private too, my husband was in a similar predicament, ask about payment plans and the like, and they might be able to offer you something. We found a private dentist that we pay around £25 a month for two appointments and hygiene appointments a year, and then the dentist has been really reasonable about spreading the cost of treatment, when it was pain related he even did the treatment first and let us pay later.

[-]

PozzieMozzie@reddit (OP)

Thank you for replying.... im going to look into going to a dental college/uni in London as i can get there on 1 train.. I appreciate your answer, i wont give up yet, its just so difficult to get dentistry sorted now. I think i needed to vent too. Thanks again.

[-]

Federal-Condition964@reddit

Do you have any teaching dentistry hospitals near you? They have a qualified dentist check the students work and will arrange for professional work if any is needed.

[-]

PozzieMozzie@reddit (OP)

Nope unfortunately,... i did think of this but there is nothing like that near me. Closest is London i think.

[-]

KaleidoscopicColours@reddit

Where are you? All unis which have a dentistry course will do this - which are Queens Uni Belfast Birmingham Bristol Cardiff Dundee Glasgow Leeds Liverpool Kings College London (London Bridge) Queen Mary University of London (East London) Manchester Newcastle Plymouth Sheffield Aberdeen UCLan Preston The train fare is almost always going to work out cheaper than private dentistry.

[-]

7285381@reddit

Plymouth also has a dental school on the Truro Campus at the Royal Cornwall!

[-]

PozzieMozzie@reddit (OP)

Thankyou for this, London is my nearest and im deffo going to look into this option cos i cant go on the way i am just now.... Thanks again, i appreciate it.

[-]

Jessica13693@reddit

Where are you? Bristol has a dental student hospital opposite the BRI, could get the train there?

[-]

Legitimate-Bath1798@reddit

I've heard of people going to dentist training schools for the students to practice on ( not as dangerous as it sounds ). Basically the same as when people go to a beauty college for a free hair do as practice for trainee hairdressers . It's generally free or done at cost

[-]

PozzieMozzie@reddit (OP)

Unfortunately not, i did look but nothing near me.

[-]

Sway_RL@reddit

Sorry for your loss. Regarding a dentist. My family recently had to go private due to the lack of NHS dentists. It can be expensive but it was the only way.

[-]

PozzieMozzie@reddit (OP)

Thank you for answering,... Yeah, i kinda thought that... i suppose ive just got to resign myself to just having no teeth.