Dentist during covid

[Pistonheader101]

current dentist says they can't do scale and polish on NHS due to covid, but can offer it as private treatment.

is this genuine, or are they having me on?

[Boosted LS1]

Mine will do fillings and things like that but won't do polishing due to the spray factor being an unessential risk.

[Pistonheader101]

Boosted LS1 said:

Mine will do fillings and things like that but won't do polishing due to the spray factor being an unessential risk.

thanks for confirming

[Maximus_Meridius101]

I had a hygienist appointment last year, during the first ‘relaxation’ they couldn’t do anything that generated aerosols. So no irrigator, and hand scraping only. I bought a kit from Robert Dyas for 20 quid, so I can do that myself now. The actual dentists seem to be operating on a triage system. If your not in real difficulty, don’t bother, would be my advice.

[jr6yam]

I had a scale and polish earlier this week, so some dentists are doing them

[xx99xx]

I went last summer shortly after they reopened and had drilling etc for a filling on NHS. Then went again 3 months ago when that filling came out, they said they couldn't do any drilling as it put the room out of action for 2 days, for decon I assume.

So yes, anything messy they will be reluctant to do but not sure what difference it would make whether private or NHS. Even the cost of private minor work isn't going to make up for the loss of a room for 2 days.

[knitware]

Hi op! Not sure where you are but I've had the usual 3 monthly hygienist visits and a couple of fillings since this all began, nothing changed apart from dressing up and temp check. Private though, so might make a difference?

[Pistonheader101]

knitware said:

Hi op! Not sure where you are but I've had the usual 3 monthly hygienist visits and a couple of fillings since this all began, nothing changed apart from dressing up and temp check. Private though, so might make a difference?

Hi thanks for letting me know, yeah seems like they offer all services on private, but NHS less so.

[sherman]

Itsthe same as I have found. My dentist hasnt seen any regular appointments since last year. The surgery had a burst pipe during christmas lockdown and they keep us up to date via email with whats allowed but as Im not in pain I will wait until they tell me to book my nhs checkup .

[Bill]

No idea how NHS payments work, but quite possibly with the additional PPE requirements (and loss of time for more lucrative work) it isn't worth their while at the moment.