Question:
I've just moved to Taunton and have found I need some work done on my
teeth.
The problem is, I've got a sort of phobia about dentists - not that
they might hurt me, but that they might either do work that isn't
necessary, or work that is so badly done that it'll do more harm than
good. This springs from bad experiences in the past.
I'd love to stick with my original dentist, but he's right up North,
and I just couldn't afford all the travelling.
So I'd really appreciate it if anyone can tell me of a dentist who's
done good work on them and who they really trust. It has to be an NHS
dentist as I can't afford private treatment.
I'm particularly keen to hear from anyone who's had 'advanced' stuff
like crowns done, as I think that's the sort of treatment I might
need.
I live in Taunton, but don't mind travelling within Somerset or even
into a neighbouring county.
Answer:
how do you expect to get dental work on other-people's-money,
(basically free toyou), yet expect high quality contientious efforts? If
the system pays poorly, the work will reflect this. Would you rather buy a
Skoda built by chaps who earn 3 BP an hour, or buy a VW built by chaps
making 10 BP an hour? Sure the VW will cost you more out of pocket. but
which one would you expect to be more reliable? Ask your mates for a
referral to a local dental surgery they trust and have had good experiences
with.
Oh, did you hav questions about specific dental therapies?
High fees don't necessarily indicate
competence or ethical behaviour (unless stealing
is considered ethical in some professions).
Hmmm .... the "Enron" of dental practices. :-)
It is likely that many dentists refuse to work for
givernment programs if they can do better. Which implies
that NHS dentists are idealistic, just starting out, or
unable to build a private practice.
So the odds may be slightly better with a
"charge-what-the-traffic-will-bear" dentist.
At least with NHS, you aren't charged for the
destruction of your teeth.
She did mention crowns, but she can easily check the bda
website, or google for other websites, or google this group
for previously posted articles. No sense re-inventing the
wheel (unless you have a givernment grant to do so).
I agree with Captain O, word of mouth (excuse the pun) is the best way of
finding a dentist. Ask around your neighbours, workmates etc. I'm sure they
would be willing to recommend their dentist to you.
Looking on the BDA website or contacting the DPB and other such bodies isn't a
good idea, they will just give you the names of dentists in your area. They
can't recommend a "good" dentist to you.
I have always used the NHS, the majority of people in the UK do.. It is the
"Norm". When a person begins their working life they are bound by law to pay
National Insurance contributions just as they are bound to pay Income Tax.
These contributions are used to pay for medical and dental treatment when
needed.
Whilst working, if someone needs a dentist, they pay only part of the cost and
the rest is paid by the NHS...but it is NOT free, it is being paid from the
contributions that have been paid in every month. An unemployed person
needing dental work, would not pay anything, but, contributions they have paid
in the past pay for that treatment!
Dental or medical treatment on the NHS is NOT second rate. It is every bit as
good as private treatment!!!
If it wasn't for the fact that NHS dentists cannot do the work "safely" when it
comes to the removal and replacement of Amalgam dental fillings, I would never
urge anyone to go to a PRIVATE Mercury-Free dentist!!!!! The NHS do not allow
any dentist working under the NHS scheme to do this work, or allow the
high-powered instruments needed!!
