If you're NHS, you cannot get an appointment at Ruthin Dental any more. They simply aren't accepting them. The best you can do is lie that you're in pain. But, even then, they won't necessarily see you. You have to phone every morning at 8.45 and take pot luck. No point in leaving a message: by the time they get around to those, the slots will be taken. Even worse, holidays mean only only one dentist on duty next week.
- Those who are members of the new plan.
- Those who are waiting to join the plan.
- Those who are not NHS or have seen their NHS entitlement lapse. They haven't received a letter to join. They stand no chance. They cannot get on the plan. They aren't permitted to join the waiting list. They cannot even get an appointment if in pain, even before the practice leaves the NHS. They're second class citizens.
The dental practice has been astounded at the response to the new scheme, hence the need to suspend the membership plan. They weren't expecting such levels. A receptionist called it a 'nightmare'. This probably accounts for the fact that letters were staggered: the dentists assumed that there'd be space even for those who received their letter to join later.
So, what alternatives are there? I did a very quick trawl:
- Dinbych BUPA (one dentist only) will see you in June. Obviously, they won't take NHS.
- Coppersun in Yr Wyddgrug/Mold will actually take you on as NHS... but the waiting list is currently two-and-a-half years. They’ll do private (they have a dentist in once a week for that) and the next appointment is at the end of May.
- For BUPA in Yr Wyddgrug, it's only a three week wait. That actually isn't bad.
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Health