My 4 year old has dental decay- we are being forced to go private for treatment!!

[echo]

Earlier this year, My daughter was seen by a well known Herne Hill dental practice and assessed as having dental cavities.

The dentist thought it was too 'difficult' to treat her and made a refferal to King children's dental hospital in May 2014. Despite this I persevered in having dental practice treatment, this resulted in two fillings done at the practice, two more to go! However further treatment refused after one session of her refusing treatment; she had a cold that day. I was continually advised to see their private children's dentist, I reluctently paid for an assessment. Dentist was excellent but obviously treatment will be very expensive etc etc etc.

Anyway- Kings Dental hospital has extremely long waiting times- We had the assessment last week great- Treatment will START in Feb next year!!!!

So does anyone have similar experiences of being denied NHS treatment in the same way? I was surprised at the quick denial of treatment, she was labeled as temperamentally too difficult: she refused to brush her teeth as a 2 year old and me neglectful??

What can I do?? We are not really in a position to pay ?100's of pounds. Also any less judgmental dentists around??

Thanks

[Fuschia]

Change dentist to dental Clinique in clapham and see EDFer Katherine

Consider the Eastman rather than kings

Kings is quite poor I think, for children

http://www.uclh.nhs.uk/OurServices/ServiceA-Z/EDH/PD/Pages/Home.aspx

[echo]

Thanks Fushia:)

[MsMaz]

My son (7) had to have a tooth out at Kings - the dentist was the most fantastic children's dentist ever - he had injections and he didn't even know! You do have to wait a long time but the treatment was excellent.

Of course, if your child develops a cavity that causes pain, you'll need to go to the emergency there.

The other place to consider is the Lister Dental Centre in Peckham which I've heard is similarly very good with kids.

[Fuschia]

They don't see children at kings emergency dentistry

And the clinic at the lister doesn't offer any sort of sedation except for sen children, or at least that was the case a few years ago

[Jessie]

Yes, my son had absolutely superb care and treatment at King's Dental Hospital, and also fantastic treatment/care at Half Moon Dental. But all experiences vary, I guess.

[Nunheadfamily]

I have found the dentist at peckham rye train station excellent as has a friend who required extensive treatment.

PH dental care

http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1847/121415.php

[snowboarder]

We are having treatment at Kings with my eldest - it is truly painful as mostly he refuses to open his mouth, and we go home again and go back in 3m time....The dentist he sees does seem to be lacking in child management skills (which my husband told her, to which she replied 'you do the childcare, I'll do the dentistry'!!). I've never really investigated any alternatives...maybe we should!

[Fuschia]

Sb, we spent 15m trying to get child no 1 to cooperate at kings. They o Lou used to try for 5 minutes. At the Eastman the staff were incredible. Though Katherine wicksteed offers sedation I believe.

http://www.dentalclinique.co.uk/dental-team-balham-london.html

[INMCD]

My daughter had teeth crowding and needed a tooth out. Kings messed us around for about 2 years - never making a decision about whether to take it out or not and then finally deciding on a general anaesthetic! I wasn't keen. We went to lovely Nicola at Dulwich Dental Clinic on Lordship Lane and she popped it out in 5 mins! Like Snowboarder I found the Kings experience draining. I'm sure if you go to an NHS dentist you wouldn't have to pay. Niamh x

[heber jumble queen]

You should definitely not need to pay for basic (non cosmetic) dental treatment for a child. Others here have suggested good alternatives so you can get the right care ASAP , but I would complain to the dentist as this is unacceptable. If you aren't happy with their response you can complain to NHS England, as dentists most certainly shouldn't be advising parents that their child can't be treated by the NHS!

[vesti]

We have had nothing but excellent treatment at Kings: all our children seen there for emergency and for orthodontic treatment.

[bawdy-nan]

We had brilliant, swift and sensitive treatment at Kings. The referral process was a little odd ( we had to hand deliver the referral letter as the dentist no longer used stamps or something bizarre) but once there - wonderful.

[Pugwash]

My youngest daughter was referred by our dentist to the dental practice in Parkhall Road SE21. She was under them for 3 years as had to wear a brace. They specialised in children and teenagers. She is now 28 and has only ever had one filling