dentists

keetah992000 · 18-08-2008, 00:53

hi - well me and the better half were just having one of those nonsense chats about anything and everything - and it came round to the dentist and we were trying to remember when we last went ( thinking it may be 3 years

)

Now what we were saying was that you dont generally go to your doctors unless you are ill - so why cant dentists be the same - does anybody know why we have to go every12/6 months to stay on their records -
( besides, of course, them getting a steady income from the check ups - which i am sure doesnt cover the dentists wages )

any thoughts or opinions?

maybe i should write to our good old MP

AccyLass · 18-08-2008, 08:38

Yeah, the only reason I can think of is the money thing

entwisi · 18-08-2008, 09:21

I find it amusing that they go on about poor dental health yet when Time Team dig em up the only thing left is the old peggies!

jaysay · 18-08-2008, 09:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwisi

I find it amusing that they go on about poor dental health yet when Time Team dig em up the only thing left is the old peggies!

Ya entwisi, but the skeletons they dig up weren't brougt up on junk food

keetah992000 · 18-08-2008, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

Ya entwisi, but the skeletons they dig up weren't brougt up on junk food

neither was I lol

what is interesting is my dad is 73 this year - he was a "war child" and was more or less brought up on sugar butties and syrup butties, condensed milk - basically anything that would keep them going during rations etc
he still has all of his own teeth and doesnt have any major problems with them. Yet I am sure many of us know of children whose parents have been pretty spot on with diet and dental care but their children are suffering with soft enamel and needing fillings at a young age
Perhaps we are looking in the wrong place for the cause of decay??

MargaretR · 18-08-2008, 10:10

Just don't suggest fluoridation, or we will die young, with perfect teeth

Lilly · 18-08-2008, 15:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwisi

I find it amusing that they go on about poor dental health yet when Time Team dig em up the only thing left is the old peggies!

The teeth may be there but in what condition?

Not a condition you'd be happy with in your mouth I don't suppose.

As I understand it the reason we are advised to go to the dentist is so that preventative measures can be taken before real problems set in.

You don't have to be in agony to need a visit to the dentist in fact if you are in agony it is probably too late and the tooth will have to come out.

With a 6 monthly check up any problems will be spotted early on....if a little hole is developing in a tooth you wouldn't necessarily be aware of it if it was only tiny so you get it filled, problem solved.

If you weren't regularly visiting the dentist the hole would only grow until you were in real pain and then it would be to late for a filling and an extraction would be needed.

Also, the dentist doesn't just look at teeth. They check your tongue and the whole of your mouth for signs of mouth cancer....with 6 monthly check ups this stands a chance of being spotted early on and can be treated.

If you don't go to the dentist for years you could be unaware of having a problem and it could spread.

Loz · 18-08-2008, 15:39

I can't remember the last time i went to the dentist and have probably been taken off the register now.
I am regretting it now though!
I have holes in two of my teeth and two of my fillings have fallen out and i am now going to have to go private which is going to be stupidly expensive.
Lilly is right,if i had gone to my 6 monthly check ups i could probably have avoided the problems i have now.

pipinfort · 18-08-2008, 15:43

Luckily i have been with an NHS dentist for ever so i managed to get my wife and 2 kids on the books..we all have regular check ups and i`ve only ever had 2 fillings in my life....! so obviously now i`ve said this all my teeth will fall out.

jaysay · 18-08-2008, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipinfort

Luckily i have been with an NHS dentist for ever so i managed to get my wife and 2 kids on the books..we all have regular check ups and i`ve only ever had 2 fillings in my life....! so obviously now i`ve said this all my teeth will fall out.

I had a NHS dentist for ever as well, then Tony and Gordon came along, now I pay through the teeth for dental care

pipinfort · 18-08-2008, 16:39

Just because its NHS does`nt mean it comes cheap........

jaysay · 18-08-2008, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipinfort

Just because its NHS does`nt mean it comes cheap........

Its a lot cheaper than having to go private I can tell you

pipinfort · 18-08-2008, 17:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

Its a lot cheaper than having to go private I can tell you

Oh i know, i enquired..........

blazey · 18-08-2008, 17:29

I was under 18 when my dentist went private and my mum had me taken of the books.

Can I just go to any dentist if I am a paying customer or is there still a waiting list?

I also took advantage of tescos free emergency dental cover which gave me a year free cover. Wont last forever but there are always offers like that around and you never know when you might need it.

stanleyfan · 18-08-2008, 18:46

ring NHS direct and they can help sort out an NHS dentist for you...