Removal From A Dentist's Books

[granny grump]

We have been with our dentist (mydentist) for almost 15 years. I attend regularly for checkups and treatments and I am always reminded of my appointments by text or email. I have had some extractions and fillings and just one false tooth. GranddadG has just one of his own teeth and the rest top and bottom are false. He has had no reason to go to the dentist because the false teeth are fine and he has not had any need of the dentist as his teeth are false. He has not missed any appointments or had any contact with them for about 18 months. He is now having extreme pain with the remaining tooth which he feels needs removing. He rang them today when we got back from holiday and has been in extreme pain to see if he could arrange an emergency appointment only to be told that he was no longer registered Unable to speak to a manager as he was on holiday and there was nothing that could be done - he was rally shocked Surely he should have been notified if he was being removed. Does he have any comeback and is there anyone that he can complain to? He has rung 111 and they are trying to find him another dentist

[bednobs]

he can complain directly to the practice. if the practice cant resolve it, he should use the NHS complaints procedure (if indeed it is an NHS dentist)

[sherrardk]

I got removed from my doctor's books by the NHS (no idea why) - I just asked the surgery manager to put me back on their list.

[woofgang]

some dentists require patients to be seen for check ups to stay on their books....but they should have told you this.

[Cloverjo]

I read today that dentists 'have a duty of care' to provide emergency treatment.

[granny grump]

Thank you bedknobs

[granny grump]

Sorry only saw bedknobs post thank you sherrardk woofgang & Cloverjo I have just emailed patient support at the surgery

[EDDIE51]

He should have looked for an emergency dentist and made an appointment .
Most people do not realise that you do not 'register' with a dentist in the same way you are registered with a doctor. Each course of treatment with a dentist is a new contract. Only dentists who work exclusively inside NHS hospital dental clinics are directly employed by the NHS. Most dentists are freelance contractors who mix NHS work with private work.
A dentist gets no money just for having you 'on their books'.
Where doctors get an annual fee for each patient registered with them. Doctors still get the regular fees even if a patient never makes an appointment for years.
If you do not make a regular appointment with a dentist they are likely to take you off their list of patients and take on another person who IS going to give them an income by making appointments.
Even if grandad did not need treatment he should still have requested a routine check up at least once in a year.That would have kept him on the books.Dentists are NOT obliged to inform you that it is time for a check up ( though most do) it is up to each patient to do it themselves.

[granny grump]

Thank you all for your answers

[granny grump]

Just an update I contacted the practice manager who was away when GrandadG was told he had been removed and nothing could be done. The manager was extremely apologetic and said that in view of the length of time that he had been a patient he would reinstate him and he apologised again Really pleased Thank you all for your input

[Mamyalynne]

Good result.

[jno]

that's a relief. Computer probably said No...

[douglas9401]

Notwithstanding Eddie's valuable contribution I changed dentists about ten years ago because of constant clashes of my appointment with the guy I was registered with and his golf life.
Fast forward about eight years and a new outfit opened a shiny new place in the middle of town and as I was not happiest where I was, I went along to register.
Lo and behold it was the golfer's new and much expanded gig and when the receptionist took my name and postcode I was still registered with them so restarted as if nothing of the intervening years had mattered.

As I say, notwithstanding.

[david small]

I got booted of my dentists register after 25 years. I had not made an appointment in 18 months, so they cut me.
No letter, no warning, no re-enstatment. I now go private, no choice.

[granny grump]

That's exactly what happened with GranddadG david I found Eddie51's answer enlightening