Swindonians share their experiences with private dentists and frustration with the lack of NHS options in the area.
The Adver asked if any readers had been forced to go private because of long waiting lists for NHS dentists.
You expressed your views, criticising the cost of private care and revealing that some people have had their teeth removed themselves because they were unable to get an appointment.
Charlotte Parkman said: “Don’t go back to your former NHS dentist, you’ll get better service elsewhere. I highly recommend Bupa in Old Town.”
Kevin Young replied: “Exactly. Everyone thinks private hospitals offer better care, but if you were previously NHS you’ll have to pay more for a less skilled dentist.”
Christopher Liston said: “After my gums fell out I pulled my own teeth without an appointment and it was too expensive.”
Kay Horsley said: “I was taken off the NHS patient list during the Covid lockdown because I hadn’t been in for over six months.”
Peter Bonadio said: “I haven’t been to the dentist since 1983.”
Lisa Ans said: “I haven’t been to the dentist since 2009, I have broken teeth in my mouth and my dentist kept all my fillings when I was a kid until I was 16. years old.
“I’m 58 now and my filling is going bad and as a carer I can’t afford private dental treatment. During lockdown I went to an emergency dentist for an abscess and was told my tooth was rotten and could be saved for £1,000. Now it’s just a stump in my mouth.”
Helen McLean said: “Moved here two years ago. Never been able to find an NHS dentist and can’t find one now.”
“I had to go to a private clinic to have a bad tooth removed. I had a temporary but the dentist wanted me to get a permanent tooth in six months.”
“I told him to just have it removed and I couldn’t afford it. He said it would cost about the same as a tooth extraction. It still hurts and I don’t want to have it removed again.”
Andrew Cox said: “Even if you go to an NHS dentist they don’t seem to want to bother with anything and just push it off to a private clinic which is a real hassle. My dentist said my filling was too deep and I had to go to a private clinic. ”
Suzie Stiles said: “I had to go out of town to see a private dentist who works for the NHS – they just want you to see a dental hygienist (who you have to pay privately) and I’m sure they just do extra work you might not need so they can pass the cost on to the NHS.
“You end up with six appointments for one thing at a time so it costs the government far more than it should.”
Martin Pearce said: “My dentist closed without warning. I’m amazed they can’t continue to charge NHS patients nearly £600 an hour!”
Jacqueline Wright said: “Private practice service is awful now. It costs a fortune and they count your teeth. Four minutes or less and that’s a check-up. Absolutely outrageous.”
Emma Brayley said: “My dentist went to private practice and without telling me at all gave me a £700 treatment recommendation which I found out emergency dentists don’t need! They are rip-offs now and I will never go again.”
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