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Dentists in Shetland


MJ
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http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2012/03/08/dental-service-in-isles-is-full-of-problems-response-to-draft-strategy-claims

 

Not news to anyone who's an NHS patient in Shetland, or waited 5years to get a check up. Currently waiting to be allowed to make an appointment for a 13year old who's in discomfort, but her dentist last time I asked was "off sick", when pressed further was told she was unlikely to be able to see that dentist again.

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It was early October last year, I had some toothache and I thought of getting some paracetomel but it didn't work. I thought it was my appointment I had the day before this happened, I tried absolutely everything to soothe and calm the pain but nothing worked.

 

The next morning, to my horror I had a huge absess! I almost turned into a chipmunk because of this: I felt it touch my glasses which was irritating, my left eye was almost closed because of the size, I couldn't smile, I couldn't speak. I felt my gumline was almost gulping my teeth, I only had about 2mm of tooth left on the left side. I felt pea-sizes blisters in my mouth, I was totally frightened.

 

I asked for an emergency appointment on a Wednesday (about two days after the absess started) and they said call tomorrow; they didn't have any appointments again. I had to wait for almost 3 days for this to happen! When I finally came to see the dentist, she prescribed me to take three drugs for three days. The next day on a Saturday, the swelling was getting bigger and it almost reached to my forehead and I thought the antibiotics didn't kick this absess.

 

After three days, the absess reduced and now I have my own cheeks and teeth again. They could've actually booked me an appointment and I don't think they actually saw how much pain I was in. It was excrutiating.

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Guest CyprusPluto

I had an NHS dentist and the normal regular checkups when I lived in England.

Since coming to Shetland 2.5 years ago I haven't seen a dentist at all

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our son sam was ment to see the same denist mj but we were told she was off for 2 weeks. pity they removed the mobile one from bixter as it adds two hours to the appointment. meaning he misses a day of school.

 

we were 4 years before we wee all seen. most got on the list because we needed treatment.

 

trying to gag a report that most folks know is true really shows the board up. what other reports have been gagged or adapted to meet there prefered out comes. lie once and we can't trust them again. the spin from management needs to stop. if any service is poorer than it should be: be honest admit the faults and change the problem.

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It was frustrating to say the least so many of the kids loved that dentist, why do Montfield dentists only last 6months or so? Unless you see Nadin or D'Eathe you're unlikely to see the same dentist from one check up to the next.

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Hi all,

 

Being registered in Brae I am having a different experience. I am constantly getting bugged to go for a check up by the dental clinic (get called about once a month). There seems to be a disparity in dental care in different parts of Shetland.

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  • 1 year later...

My wife moved to Shetland in 2009 and I told her to apply as soon as she did. She went on apparant waiting list in June 2009. She still is no where near being registered. This time last year she was told she was close to the top, when she phoned last month she was told she was near the bottom.

 

She then complained about the service and the different responses she was getting and was told she would be registered at an appointment yesterday, which she went to and was treated as an emergency and no one has any idea why she was told otherwise. I do not expect her to jump any list but it was odd to be told one thing, just to appease her i think. 

 

No one working around the NHS dentists in Lerwick seems to have any idea how long this might take, everyone you speak to tells you something different and all the while an important area of your health goes unchecked. 

 

Is there any responsibility for the NHS to provide a specific standard and level of dentist care? And if so the in Shetland it cannot possibly be being met, almost 5 years and not even close to being registered? I thought waiting times were a priority lol.

 

How can this possibly be organised so poorly?

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The Shetland NHS does have a plan

 

http://www.shb.scot.nhs.uk/board/meetings/2012/20120626-2012_35.pdf
 

 

7. WHERE DO WE WANT TO BE BY 2015?
7.1 The Service The needs of the population must be met in full. Our aspiration is to be able to offer registration to every resident who wants Dental care, and to offer high quality, effective and safe services across the range of general dental and specialist services

 

 

This is the Scottish Government document referred to

 

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/03/20871/54815

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The truth is that dental registration is pretty meaningless in itself and does little more than provide a statistic that can be used by boards as 'spin' to imply that progress is being made in the service.  Being on the register will not guarantee dental examinations and treatment plans in which case the figures can be pretty much ignored.  What is more important is, can people get appointments for check ups and can they get any necessary treatment completed within a satisfactory period of time?

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