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Community Dental service

Kate Kestrel

Hello - can I ask if anyone on here has used the Community Dental Service? 
My young adult son hasn’t been to the dentist since the Pandemic started in 2020 - firstly due to the pandemic and then because he was so anxious about going after such a long time of not going. He has recently got toothache and after some persuasion he allowed me to phone to make an appointment - and the receptionist told me my son hasn’t been de-registered as he didn’t come in for such a long time. Apparently they are allowed to do this. The dentist tells me they contacted us to warn us but I don’t remember ever receiving a letter about this. Anyway - I think I just have to accept it ultimately as there’s nothing I can do it seems.

i can’t find an nhs dentist that will accept new patients for my son in our area. So I’ve had to book a private appointment as what other choice do we have? It’s scarily expensive - we can maybe stretch to paying for one filling - but if he needs several what on earth can we do? I phoned nhs England and they mentioned the Community Dental Service - but when I phoned them they said I’d need a referral - and they gave me the impression it was unlikely I’d get one for my son. They said they have long waiting lists.

i don’t really understand it. I don’t know what to do. My son hasn’t a terrible diet as he has very restricted tastes and loves sweet food and smoothies - all the things that are terrible for his teeth, and he hates cleaning his teeth and will only do them at night - so only once a day, and we need to help him or he wouldn’t do them at all. So I’m guessing that tooth problems are going to be a lifelong issue for him possibly. 

Does anyone have any advice to offer? I feel very worried about the whole thing - and I wondered if the Community Dental Service is something other autistic people use? And how they’ve found it, and how they got a referral? 
Help! 

Parents

  • I saw a community dentist a couple of times, they were really good, I get terrified of dentists after some really bad experiences and as a result of other truamas. i saw them at a local communitiy hospital, it was a largish airy room and didn't smell like many dentists. There can be quite a long wait though as due to the lack of NHS dentist or any dentists taking on new patients in some areas they're in high demand.

    I did move onto an NHS practice, but they've stopped doing NHS work now, so I will have to find another, private one, which will be expensive, about £100-250 per filling. I used ot have a really good private dentist, he was expensive, but so good I didn't mind the price so much, but I do resent the amount private dentists charge and how little say you have in your treatment. They seem to operate by threat, have an implant for your  damaged and broen tooth or have it out and have nothing, seeing as all this cosmetic work seems to cost thousands of pounds it feels like they have you over a barrel. I could fly to India, stay with family and have all my teeth replaced with implants for the cost of one done here. It dosen't feel like this is a fair market, as you have so few options for your budget which makes it hard to shop around for what suits your needs and pocket. They say about private insurance schemes, but I'm fairly sure I'd be uninsurable, as I have really bad teeth and a load of allergies, I was delisted by one surgery for having more allergies than the were prepared to cope with.

    The private dentist you've booked in with should be able to refer you.

  • in reply to TheCatWoman

    Thanks for your reply - I really appreciate it! I was pretty stunned today to find out he’d been de-registered - and I’m shocked at the idea of having to face the costs of private dentistry - it’s crazy expensive isn’t it? Can I ask : on what basis did you get the referral to the Community Dental Service? Do you know what the criteria are? Thanks

  • in reply to Kate Kestrel

    I think I got it because I'm terrified of them and told them I often need sedation to have any work done and because of allergies. I'm not sure there are any criteria, maybe being on benefits is one? Dentists tend to take one look at me and want me out and into the community service as fast as possible, as with so many things, I end up feeling like a stray parcel.

  • in reply to TheCatWoman

    I’m sorry you ‘end up feeling like a stray parcel’ - I think I know the feeling though! When my son was about 9 or so his dentist at the time decided it was a good idea to (try to!) take out 4 of his baby teeth at one time - I think the whole street must have heard my son’s reaction to that……the dentist got as far as 2 and then had to give up. So he has not had a great experience in the past. We shall see anyway - am keeping my fingers crossed and doing my absolute best to inspire confidence in him that it will all be ok. 

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  • in reply to TheCatWoman

    I’m sorry you ‘end up feeling like a stray parcel’ - I think I know the feeling though! When my son was about 9 or so his dentist at the time decided it was a good idea to (try to!) take out 4 of his baby teeth at one time - I think the whole street must have heard my son’s reaction to that……the dentist got as far as 2 and then had to give up. So he has not had a great experience in the past. We shall see anyway - am keeping my fingers crossed and doing my absolute best to inspire confidence in him that it will all be ok. 

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