Scallywag 78 Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 My friend, a single mother with a low income, was ill recently and as a result forgot about her 11 year old son's dental appointment. This dentist has a 'two strikes and you're out' policy for NHS patients. Because he also missed an appointment over two years ago her son has been struck off their NHS list. She begged them on the phone to reconsider, give her another chance and finally, in tears, asked them to keep HIM registered and chuck her off instead but they totally refused to budge. There's one NHS dentist over 10 miles away. You have to ring up, leave your details on an answer phone and at the end of the month they select two people who they allow onto their list. So, best case scenario, an 11 year old child has to make a 20+ mile round trip to get dental treatment. Worse case scenario, an 11 year old boy, whose mother earns well under £10,000 a year, can't access NHS dental treatment at all. I don't usually get into this stuff, but this infuriates me. We're meant to be one of the wealthiest countries in the world and we cant even make sure a child's dental health is protected. WHY? Are the dentists just too greedy or what? It seems so wrong. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lurchergrrl 1,441 Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 I really feel for her Scally, it's a ridiculous policy and they don't give an inch on it I'd be chasing it up if I were, going over their heads and to the media. I recently rang up to change an appt as my sitter cancelled, and I needed a bit of work doing: hard to imagine a dentist drilling into your tooth with three kids under 5 running daft in the room. Would they reschedule? Would they fook. I had missed one months ago - also something to do with the kids, this time being ILL, and they threatened to strike me. So that would leave a family of 4 - more importantly three children - without dental coverage. Bloody sadistic it is. I ended up begging a mate to cover for me, and went in there full of fury. I can understand their need to cover missed billing time but the policy in question is thoughtless and completely inflexible. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tallyho 181 Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 thats a real shitty thing to do , kids of all people should never be took off, i would of gone mad if it was my kids. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scallywag 78 Posted June 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 The thing that infuriates me is I don't think there's anything you can do short of calling by the surgery with a great big f*****g stick with a nail in the end.......... which is tempting at the moment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tallyho 181 Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 i really do think thats bad, all children should be entitled to free treatment reguardless of how many appointments they miss. somtimes you cant help missimg the odd one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
just jack 998 Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 its b-ll-cks,,,,,,,,,i bet if he wasn't british, it wouldn't be a problem----------this fecking country is wank Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MATTI 34 Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 If this had happened to an imigrant, they would not be struck off the NHS list. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
8shot 192 Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 i had to go to the hospital to have my teeth taken out my head swelled like a balloon as a result of a absess nill by mouth for 3 days and i still cant get a bloody dentist Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Coney 3 Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 Fecking shocking!!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SEAN3513 7 Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 ring back.......................speak in pigeon english, claim you dont understand because youve only lived here 5 mins.................they'll do it yesterday, all of it , including gold teeth, feel sorry for you and give you £20 to treat yourself on your way home. sorry folks............but our kids are ou future, but they get f**k all, its becoming intolerable. what can we do..........................probably put up with it as usual unless anybodys got any bright ideas???? answers on a postcard please!!!! rant over regards sean Quote Link to post Share on other sites
just jack 998 Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 cant afford the fecking fuel to get to the dentists----------TWATS Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The one 8,578 Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 Ours stop doing the national health work they weren't making enough money got to pay £16 odds a month now really pisses me off after tax my national insurance deductions is hellish and i have to pay again to see a dentist Quote Link to post Share on other sites
polecat 1 Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 change your name me and one of my kids are in one practice and ex wife and other have to find other one but like rest if you an imagrant you go to top off fecking list Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rabbithunter 456 Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 its riduculous...... is there not a local "dental direct" near your friend? There is one up the road from me, dont need to be registered, you just phone up when you have a problem, and they usually give a sameday appointment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lurchergrrl 1,441 Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 If this had happened to an imigrant, they would not be struck off the NHS list. Well, I'm an IMMIGRANT ffs Didn't give me any special treatment. You've got the wrong idea there. It's not the immigrants problems, it's the government who sets the policies. Getting rather tired of the immigrant comments. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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