NHS dental care

I’ve managed to register as an NHS patient at my local dental surgery. What is actually ‘free’? My front 2 teeth have chipped, I have pain and clearly need a filling in another and my general teeth health feels like it’s taken a massive decline whilst being pregnant which I know is to be expected.

Just wondering if anything is actually free?

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As far as I know whilst pregnant and a year after due date as long as you have your certificate it's all free!

Any treatments you can get on the NHS banding usually is what you can get for free when pregnant - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/how-much-will-i-pay-for-nhs-dental-treatment/

I've had a root canal done, fillings, crowns and chipped tooth whilst being on the NHS. Yhup both pregnancies messed up my teeth that bad 😫

2 of my wisdom teeth have always been a pain. Would this be included if I got them removed? It would probably have to be after baby is born as I can imagine that’s quite a big procedure.

I went to have my check up on Friday. It was a very smart dentist but they accepted me for my free nhs pregnancy appointment. It was very quick. She looked in my mouth, agreed I had receding gums (I’d said I did) and that was it! Said I had some tartar that could do with cleaning and recommended I see the hygienist. For £90!! I think my teeth are okay but considering I’ve not been seen by a dentist for over 5 years (my dentist managed to drop me in the pandemic) after I left I didn’t feel my check up had been very thorough. And I left £90 lighter with a hygienist appointment so they gained not me!! She said normally they’d take X-rays but that would need to be after baby is born. So maybe she’ll be more thorough at my next appointment which will still be free…I decided to ‘treat myself’ to the hygienist, I could have said no. But she closed the deal very smoothly 🤣

Everything is free other than cosmetic work. But they will address chipped teeth on the NHS. So any decay, broken teeth, missing teeth will be addressed but it’s basic treatment options so they wouldn’t provide veneers, implants, Invisalign etc

@Claire I would ask them to explain why you had to see the hygienist. Scale and polish and periodontal treatment (gum disease treatment) is all available on the NHS. I would query the charge. If the dentist doesn’t provide basic scale and polish I would want to know why

@alice yes wisdom tooth removal is available however if you need a referral it’s unlikely you will be seen within your maternity allowance of free treatment. However if you’re referred to hospital it’s free regardless of status

@Abi I think I will do this, ask, I hadn’t realised scale and polish was available on the NHS. She gave me a mirror and pointed out tartar and said it would need addressing by the hygienist but I do think she was just making a bit of money out of me tbh.

@Claire yes I agree

I had a filling when on maternity exemption and it was all free x

@Allana was it a metal filling?

@Charlotte premolar and molar teeth will likely be metal. Depends if mum is pregnant at the time of treatment. Front teeth will have white fillings but the shades of white available are limited and it’s not a perfect match compared to private materials which have a much broader selection of white colours

Hey, I am a dentist (and pregnant). Any dental treatment on the NHS would be free (so not cosmetic work like composite bonding and whitening) but general dentistry like check ups, crowns, fillings should be free (i.e. a dental need to achieve dental health). All fillings should be white fillings for pregnant ladies, no matter which tooth (we don't use amalgam for children and pregnant people). Dental extractions can be carried out but they are more likely done in the second trimester as lying back in the third trimester is uncomfortable for you. Things like complex wisdom tooth extractions are generally avoided until after you give birth - it's uncomfortable for you and we don't want to stress you or the baby during the extraction, especially if it is something that can be delayed. If you have facial swelling and need it out immediately we will do it, but if it's just a bit of wisdom tooth pain you have been managing for a long time, we will defer treatment until after you've given birth.

Local anaesthetic is safe in pregnancy although there is one type that can induce labour. The dentist should know this and not give it to you! We won't refer you for GA removal of wisdom teeth, or sedation for dental treatment while pregnant.

Any specific questions let me know, happy to give any advice/ opinion if I can help :)

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I've been freaking out

Does anyone else’s husbands do this?

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Am I overreacting???

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