Where’s wisdom in dentist hols?

Jan 6 2008 by Ian Robson, Sunday Sun

CAN’T say I’m impressed with the provision of dental care over the holidays . . . and that’s the “tooth”.

I broke a front gnasher on December 23 while chomping on a biscuit.

And the first available appointment at my dentist is January 10 . . . two and a half weeks later.

You can’t accuse the profession of falling over itself to maintain a proper service over the festive season.

Thank goodness for the dental hospital in Newcastle, who were at least able to do a temporary repair.

It lasted just two hours before falling out again but at least they were there.

My dentist, meanwhile, was enjoying a long break with no patients.

There was an emergency number to ring, but all I got was a lecture on what constituted an emergency worth disturbing the dentist’s holiday for. Anything less than severe bleeding or swelling and he was not interested.

And then, when he finally got back to work, patients had to scramble for urgent appointments.

Ring at 8am for a limited number of slots, they said, but I couldn’t get through before they were taken.

Meanwhile, at the risk of upsetting the men in white coats, I can honestly say I have never met a poor dentist.

I have met many who want more money, many more who complain about NHS contracts, but not a single one on his uppers.

Maybe it’s because they have us on the ropes. They are little gods because it’s almost impossible to get a new dentist . . . and they know it.

The latest wheeze is to force patients to go on a care plan with minimum monthly payments. They say it helps the patient’s health. Yes, it does, but it also helps the dentist’s wealth by providing regular injections of cash.

I will keep my appointment on January 10 and smile — through gritted teeth — when the job is finally done.