Address: 78 High Street, Watton, IP25 6AWTelephone: 01953 882777Website: www.together.dental
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51 responses from the local community
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Submitted by Anonymous5th August 2023
I had a check up in Jan 22 and when paying was asked if I wanted to make an an appointment for 6 months time. I agreed and was given an appointment for 7 July 22. As I was driving home (a 15 minute journey) my phone pinged. When I got home, there was a text advising me that my appointment for 7 July was cancelled and to give them a call at the beginning of June. I didn't - I called them straight back to ask why my appointment was cancelled only 15 mins after it was made, only to be told that my dentist was leaving and could I call back at the start of June. I did and was told to call back at the beginning of July which I again did, but this time advising that I needed to see someone urgently as two teeth had lost their temporary fillings which were put in in January 22 and now the teeth had broken further. I was asked if I was in pain which I was not. I was then told that if and when I was in pain, to call and I would be seen as I was still registered - According to the recommendations all broken teeth should be treated as an emergency whether painful or not - both teeth had previous root canal treatment and so would not cause me pain, but are likely to get abscesses in the very near future. When I called a month ago, I was told I was no longer a patient.......I would think twice before paying this lot privately and they have no Customer service!
I had been a patient at this practice for about 25 years until they advised me that they were no longer treating NHS patients. I was devastated that they could just offload their NHS patients and not care that many of these patients are probably like me and find that no dentists were taking on new NHS patients in Norfolk. I have been put on the waiting list of 4,000 people at a local dentist! My MP, Liz Truss, advised me that she had written to the Minister for Health and sent me a copy of his reply which stated that last year they had increased the amounts dentists can claim for treating their NHS patients to counter this offloading of patients. It was obviously not enough! I'm retired, have worked all my life and paid my dues into the NHS and now, because of underfunding by this government and the greed of dentists practices going private, I have no NHS dentist. However the authorities have assured me that I no longer need to register with an NHS dentist I can just phone up any NHS dentist and make an appointment which leaves me to believe that they have no clue as to what the situation is in Norfolk.
We were sent a message (which was very unclear) suggesting the children had been discontinued as NHS patients. I was upset at this, but given what is going on around the country I thought it was pretty inevitable. When I range to try to book a private appointment the receptionist was incredibly rude from the beginning of the call and it was very unpleasant. We eventually got some appointments for 5 months later, in the middle of the school day, with a promise they could be changed later, as they expect more dentists to join. Sadly it was not changed. I cancelled it and found a new dentist. I've always found the receptionists here to be extraordinarily lacking in people skills. They really ought to be retrained or replaced. I would avoid this dentist practice.
We as a family have been coming here since we moved here, they have seen our children since they were old enough. Had a fantastic service. Since lockdown we have been fobbed off time after time saying "call back in 6 months" now I have noticed they have turned totally private without letting us know. They have really let us down especially our children. To be honest I don't think they actually care.
Have been a patient here for 18yrs. I have always paid for NHS dental treatment only to be told on my last visit by the receptionist in a very Curt manner that i never was NHS and always private. I think i would know if i was or wasn't. The Fee's they now want to charge patients for private treatment are totally unjustifiable and unfortunately if they dont do something about there money grabbing sooner rather than later it will be
will be there downfall.
The actual surgical teams i have no problems with whatsoever and would have scored more if not for above mentioned.
We have been at this dentist since we moved here in 2005.The service was great until the practice was taken over by a private company then appointments were repeatedly cancelled by text message. When you did have an appointment it was always running extremely late. The final straw was to be told last August that our appointments were cancelled and they would only see my family yearly despite my daughter’s dentist saying she needed to be seen six monthly, only to throw all NHS patients off their lists without notice. It’s disgraceful. Without the NHS patients they would not have had a practice to take over. My daughter has anxiety issues as well as hereditary dental requirements yet they removed her despite that being against the rules as under 18s were supposed to stay on their books. Finding a new dentist for her has been a traumatic experience,. Just another money grabbing company who don’t care who they hurt. Should be shut down and removed from Watton so a real NHS practice can take over. No professionalism. No duty of care. We can’t afford private dentistry but they do not care. These are not health care providers, they are a money making machine that should be closed down.
I was registered at this surgery for years. Registered both my children when they were born and fine been seen for first few years no problems always had a lovely dentist who was good with both me and the children. I tried to book our last 6 monthly appointment as I always did at the last visit.. i was told our dentist was leaving.. ok.. I’ll try nearer the time.. I was unable to get my child seen by NHS dentist just recently when needing to book as he has 3 broken teeth and has just fell and pushed his front tooth back.. no there’s no dentists unless you want to pay privately.. i myself work for the nhs and on universal credit.. I cannot afford to pay.. was told that my child cannot be seen unless I pay the hefty amount they were asking. Diabolical!
My son has a heart condition and with teeth and the heart being closely connected, his specialist advises he must be seen for check ups every 3 months. Each time he is prescribed with a specialist toothpaste to aid the health of his teeth.
Half way through last year, we visited the dentist and as usual proceeded to book true next one at reception only to be told that they can’t book any more appointments at the moment and to call back in a few weeks.
I called a few weeks later, same response then around October time they finally told me that he could no longer see an NHS dentist and that I would have to pay privately if I wanted him to be seen. I attempted to contact other dental practices but none could take him as an NHS patient. I reluctantly booked a private checkup appointments with Together Dental Watton at £25 but was told he would have to wait until January.
He recently had his appointment which I must say was a pleasant experience compared to usual and he came away with his usual prescription of 3 x tubes of toothpaste. We went to the chemist and as it wasn’t an nhs dentist, we were told we would have to pay for the private prescription and per item too. So at £9.50 per item and a total of £53.50 all in this now means we must go without items at home to cover these costs quarterly.
Not sure what has happened to this country but if NHS cannot be used then our contributions to it should be optional.
I had a tooth removed with Dr Shiraz and Nurse Sandy. I told them I was a bit nervous and they were so so patient and reassuring with me. The appointment was over within 20 minutes and Dr Shiraz even let me take a photo of my tooth! Thank you so much, they are truly a credit to the practice.
I have been a patient of Clarence House since 2007 with the same dentist. Yesterday just 3 hours before myself and my daughter’s check ups they were cancelled via text and email with the words “unable to rebook”
So I rung them and they reluctantly told me they are now private. When I asked why I wasn’t informed I was told we’re not obligated to. She also told me they were told on Friday they were going private. Yet on Sunday I had both texts and emails with links to fill out the health questionnaire and also confirmed our appointments. Clearly these were sent knowingly the appointments were going to be cancelled. It seems children don’t deserve to be seen by a dentist and it seems there is no care for low income families who can’t afford to extortionate prices of £65 per person just to get their foot in the door.
The government need to hang their heads in shame how dare they treat low income families like this. I’m disgusted that my child doesn’t get the dental care I had as a child growing up.
The practice had no patient care yesterday and after being a patient there for 15 years I’m disgusted!!