Where can I find a dentist?
There are several ways to find a dentist. The first is to ask friends, neighbours or colleagues to recommend one to you. The second is to look in the Yellow Pages where all dentists are listed for your area. Or you can contact your local Health Authority, who will have a list of NHS dentists in your area. You can also get lists from post offices and main libraries.
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What should I do next?
It may be an idea to visit the practice you are interested in, to have a look around before you make an appointment. Check the general appearance of the practice – is it clean and tidy? Are the staff friendly? What range of treatment is available? Find out about the opening hours and details of what emergency cover is provided out of hours. Most practices will produce a leaflet which tells you how they operate.
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What do the letters stand for?
All practising dentists must be registered with the General Dental Council. This is a statutory body, which protects the patient by ensuring that all practising dentists are properly trained. All qualified dentists will have the letters BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) or LDS (Licentiate in Dental Surgery) after their name. The letters LDS are awarded by the Royal College of Surgeons, whilst the letters BDS are awarded by individual universities. Any dentist qualifying from Leeds Dental Hospital will have the letters BchD after their name. These are the main qualifications required in order to practice dentistry. The dentist may also have other letters after their name, which indicate a postgraduate qualification. The MFGDP(UK) and the MGDS give an indication that they have studied general dental practice beyond the basic qualification level, the MGDS being the senior qualification. However, it is important to remember that you should choose a dentist with whom you feel comfortable with and can trust to work with you to maintain good oral and dental health.
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How do I register with a dentist?
Firstly, you should decide whether you want a private or NHS dentist, then check that the dentist you choose is still accepting patients. Most dentists will only register you after they have done an examination, and will only keep you on their register if you go for regular check-ups. If you are registered with an NHS dentist and do not attend at least every 15 months, you may be removed from the list.
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Can I go to any dentist?
Yes. Dentists operate differently from doctors and therefore do not have specific ‘catchment’ areas. If you are registered with a particular dentist and move out of the area, you do not need to change dentists.
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How do I find an NHS dentist?
The Area Health Authority will have a list of all the NHS dentists practising in your area. They should be able to give you a list of names and addresses, but will not be able to make any recommendations. Or you can look in the Yellow Pages, where many dentists now advertise.
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How do I find a private dentist?
A personal recommendation is often the best way. Private dentists usually advertise in the Yellow Pages and they will list any special treatments that they offer. If you are looking for a particular type of treatment, your dentist may refer you to an appropriate private specialist.
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Can I mix private and NHS treatment?
Yes. You can have everything you may need to keep your mouth healthy under the NHS. However, you can choose to have some of your treatment provided privately.
You may want to have a treatment which is not necessary to your dental health, such as cosmetic treatment. You can choose to have these treatments privately. Talk to your dentist about it before deciding which option suits you best.
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What about charges?
NHS fees are set by the Department of Health and in the majority of cases, the patient is liable for 80% of the charges up to a specified limit. People exempt from charges include children under 18, pregnant and nursing mothers and adults getting certain types of benefit. Private fees vary quite considerably from one dentist to another. It is always advisable to ask about charges before starting treatment. Check what the average fees are for a check-up and any treatment you might need, such as a scale and polish, a crown or a filling. Whether you choose a private or an NHS dentist, you should be told clearly before you start what the fees will be. Ask for a written treatment plan, which will list the treatment and the appropriate fees. There are several dental capitation programmes including Denplan and BUPA DentalCover, and several dental insurance schemes such as CIGNA. It is important to check whether your dentist accepts patients under these schemes and what the relative costs would be.
Tarih : 14 February 2007 Çarsamba
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