Does this sound like discrimination?

I’ve not been able to visit the dentist in a year because I was rushed into hospital for a hip replacement back in January 2005.

Recently I tried to make an appointment with my dentist only to be told that because I had not visited it in a year I had been removed and they were not in a position to take me back because of new health changes.

The Practise Manager of the dentist surgery I attended basically said that it didn’t matter what my circumstances were at that time and that no way would they consider taking me back as a patient at his time.

Frustrated I tried to explain my disability but she wasn’t interested.
I also have a bad fear of dentist and her lack of understanding my needs put me off pursuing this further as by this time it was clear I was being discriminated against.

I understand that based on my going into hospital for a total hip replacement and not attending regularly at the practise at that time, I suffered this outrageous outcome.

I even explained that 6 months of that time away from the practise was down to my recuperation.

She did not even consider this fact.

I contacted the PTC and I’m awaiting their response.

Can any of you possibly advise me on how else I can deal with this problem?

HI,
I am sorry to read about this. Personally, I would call another reputable dentist in your local area, and get an appointment with a different dentist.
I do wish you the very best of luck.

It is a common practice to remove people who do not come in on a regular basis from active patient.

And any doctor does not have to treat you or accept new patients. When I moved to my new city I had to go to 4 doctors before I found one that had an opening.

So most likely this office doesnot want to see anyone who is not going to be a regular customer. Esp in dental treatment, some dentists will not treat you unless you first have your teach cleaned.

So what you need to do is get the phone book out and keep calling till you find one that has an opening.

My local dentist has a 4 month waiting list to get an appointment, I had a emergancy dental issue and had to drive to another city to get into a new dentist who had just opened a new office

If you are determined to go to that particular dental clinic again, I would get your medical doctor and surgeon to write letters to the dentist, explaining your situation. Have them cc (carbon copy) the letters to your local Dental Association, or the governing body for dentists in your area. I think the UK is similar to Canada in that there are loopholes in a lot of these "policies" that seem unfair to patients. I don't suppose you had a chance to talk to your dentist directly? Often the nurses, receptionists or practice managers can be unyielding, because it's their job to simply state policy and not to bend it or make compromises. They're often not very patient-oriented. However, if you can bring this to the attention of the dentist, an exception might be made.

That being said, if there's another dental surgery in your area, you might want to just switch, as Fred suggested. It would be easier and less work than fighting the system.

I suggest you go somewhere else.
People who work in the same office are a team and usually react to outsiders like a team. That includes the dentists, and as one female dentist told me once--"I am holding the drill!"

I certainly would at least demand a call from the dentist.

It may not change a thing, but the dentist needs to hear your complaint.

Again guys, this post is 2 months old. However, it would be nice to know what happened, how things ended up. Bluetooth, are you still around? What did you finally decide to do?

Thanks to every one for your post's on this.
I can tell you all that I did complain but I was advised about all these new health changes recently. (you will have probably heard about this on the news)

A lot of us are in this same predicament but it's a government issue which unfortunately affects all NHS patients and leaves many of us looking elsewhere for our dental treatment.

I did find a new surgery and now I'm afraid I will have to grin and bear it and conquer my fear of dentist's and get used to a new one.

I really need to get over this fear, you lot might think it's a stupid fear but I'm absolutely petrified!

I'll battle on though, won't be beaten.

Blue

Hi, blue,
May I suggest Nitrous Oxide gas??
Going to a Dentist was THE most "nerve wracking" experience I ever faced. My dentist finally told me that being very nervous made the tooth and gum nerves "stand on end", being much more active, and the "pain" feelings were much worse.
He suggested Nitrous Oxide gas. After that, many years ago, I would not even let a Dentist look into my mouth, before putting on the nose piece for the gas. It relaxed me, and I couldn't care less what he was doing, NO PAIN.
When I finally realized I had to get dentures, there were 8 teeth left to be pulled. A Dental specialist, highly recommended by neighbors, as a good surgeon, suggested Halcion pills, taking 2 of them 1 hour before my dental appointment, to have that many teeth removed; and be sure to have someone drive the car, rather than me.
With the combination of the Nitrous, and the 2 Halcion pills, I felt absolutely nothing!!
I now have dentures, really great to chew and bite food again.
I highly recommend those two "pain killers" in combination. Ask your dentist about it.

Whatever you do don't talk to your present dentist about the other dentists or anything having to do with bad experiences at other dental offices. These professionals are sometimes buddies, acquaintances, or else simply feel offended when another dentist is spoken about. So to stay on his good side it's better to keep such things to yourself.
In my opinion