dentist dispute

Hi!

l had no extractions but was told l needed to use Duraphat 5000 for the rest of my life by the MDT dental consultant, who also advised my teeth were in v good nick. I have had a private dentist since l was in my 20’s, now 68! My dentist would have been happy to give me a private prescription but suggested l approach my GP. The CSN advised me l might have a problem with this. She was correct; my GP told me ‘no can do’. She is a fab GP but the practice won’t do it. Tbh, sounds v petty, but l was v annoyed about this - can’t really say why, it is a bit irrational of me but l admit it fully. I have therefore just recently registered with an NHS dentist for a checkup & she immediately offered the prescription unsolicited! I was pretty amazed. A) l did not expect to find an NHS dentist ( given all the stuff you hear about how difficult it is… ) & B) she was/is v good. The practice does both NHS & private dentistry so l feel as though l may have landed on my feet. I found the practice by googling on the NHS app ‘find a dentist’… It was certainly worth a try for me. Btw, l should add, l was a bit annoyed with my dentist anyway - he was the first private dentist  l have had ( had moved & so changed Dentist) who never checked my throat/neck for lumps etc. I secretly held this against him as he never even pointed out my very enlarged tonsil…My GP took one look at it & referred me on the 2 week pathway…. 

speaking of fluoride varnish.. I'm wondering why we aren't given a varnish prior to treatment seeing that dental hygiene can become a serious and painful struggle.. is there something in it that would react with the radiotherapy?

Beau Chapeau said:

is there something in it that would react with the radiotherapy?

No it’s safe. As it lasts three months it’s good to get one in before you start 

Beau Chapeau said:

I don't know if this applies to you... ? or is of any value?

www.dental-referrals.nhs.wales/.../Briefing-notes-for-Free-Examinations-UPDATE.pdf

Thanks for that. When the government gets round to giving dentists contracts that gives them a decent living and enables them to innovate and expand their practice under the NHS umbrella they might get round to reading this. Till then it’s a meaningless list of words 

The only dentists actually employed by the NHS are the ones in dental hospitals and there are nit enough of those

just booked in with my dentist for a final checkup and hopefully a fluoride varnish.. every little helps, eh?

Best foot forward now. 

most definitely.. if there's one thing I've learned, it's you have to be proactive on this journey, and for the most part, I have this group to thank for all the help and support I've so far received. thank you.. 

Thanks Dani (and everyone!). GP has prescribed today and put in on a repeat so will be easy to get in the future too

Liesle R said:

Thanks Dani (and everyone!)

Great result. Thank heavens for this group. 

Ok sorry I’m being stupid here. What exactly is a fluoride varnish ?