friendly advice for everyone Fin NHSd a loc a d TOD entistl Y! Dental health advice in Croydon DREDING DENTL CHECK-UP? I swore I d never go back... I beat my dental fears thanks to my little boy! DUMP THE DRILL Why visiting your dentist doesn t have to hurt these days... Cash-saving advice to keep you smiling
WELCOME When was the last time you went for a dental check-up? If you re good, it might ve been only a few months ago. But for some people it s years. Or even so long ago it s hard to remember their last visit! Truth is, some folk feel at ease with their dentist. But plenty of others find the whole thing a daunting prospect... If you re one of them, you re not alone! We spoke to lots of local people to find out what s keeping them out of the dentist s chair. nd now we re using your feedback to improve the dental service. You told us the cost of treatment was one of your biggest worries. So we re being clearer and more upfront with our pricing, so you won t be caught out by any unexpected bills. Bad past experiences have left some of you scared to go again. So we re training our staff to help them understand, and ease, patients fears. You said it s sometimes hard to get a convenient appointment, and complained of long waiting times. So we re working to make the service faster and more flexible. Many of you believed there aren t enough NHS dentists locally, and the ones that exist aren t taking on new patients. NHS dental treatment is available here - so we ll help you to find and register with a surgery near you. This magazine will give you lots of information on our new, improved service. Happy reading and we re looking forward to seeing you soon... Open wide now! James Butcher, Editor Cover photos and photos p.2-3 posed by models (except Editor) Top 5 reasons to see your dentist. Check-ups can: Prevent gum disease so you don t lose your teeth Give you a nicer smile and improve your self-confidence void the need for painful emergency treatment Help prevent mouth cancer Keep your breath kissably fresh always! 2
THINGS I WNT IN DENTIST KTE, 34, SYS: Every nine months or so I get a letter inviting me to come for a check up. I like that, it makes me feel valued. nd I d never remember otherwise! It s not always so easy to get an appointment, though. We have a space in three weeks time, the receptionist will say. But I work shifts, don t always know when I ll be free. I d like if I could be seen that week, or if they offered evening or weekend appointments. My surgery is nice, they play music in the waiting room, and there are tropical fish. Watching them helps keep me distracted! My dentist is really patient. She knows I m nervous of needles so she ll numb my gum with the anaesthetic gel first. If you haven t been to the dentist in years, you might be surprised at how much things have changed. THEN Gas, big drills and painful extractions, yikes! NOW Fillings need less drilling with smaller tools, plus replacement teeth can be stuck in with glue. naesthetics work better, and dentists have more help with sedation nd she tells me what she s doing when she s in my mouth, and what s coming next. It helps take some of the anxiety away. The cost can be a worry but my dentist always explains the different treatment options and how much they cost before she starts so there are no nasty surprises! LOCL DENTIST, SYS: Kate s a typical patient she doesn t enjoy going to the dentist but knows it s important to keep her teeth and gums healthy. You ll get to know your dentist if you go regularly, and that ll make you feel more comfortable when you re being treated. and relaxation. So it s less scary! THEN Clinical, unfriendly atmosphere NOW Staff who re more gentle and understanding and modern surgeries with music and a welcoming atmosphere. THEN Confusing dental bills NOW Clear, honest, upfront pricing so you know what to expect. You might even be entitled to free dental care see page 8 to find out! 3
CSESTUDIES Dreading THE DENTIST? Why I don t bother... JMES, 47, SYS: I haven t been to the dentist since I was at school. I had to have six teeth out when I was 12 years old. They put me to sleep with the gas, it was horrible. When I woke up I was in agony. Couldn t eat for weeks after. Chicken soup and custard every night for a fortnight. I swore I d never go back! I ve never really had any bother with my teeth since then. Well, I ve had toothache a couple of times, but when it got too bad I just went to the hospital and they pulled the tooth out there and then. My wife s always nagging at me to go, but I don t like or trust dentists. ll they re interested in is the money they can make from private patients they don t care about NHS ones. nd they ll rip you off. One of the boys at work went for a check-up a few months ago. He wasn t in any pain but they told him he needed to get all this work done. Stung him for nearly 400! There s no way I m going to go and get robbed blind! OUR DENTIST, SYS: Like many people, James has been put off by a bad childhood experience. But things ve changed a lot since the 80s and regular check-ups can stop problems before things get so bad that the tooth needs pulled. NHS patients receive the same standard of treatment as private ones. If you re worried about the cost, your dentist can give you a written quote before starting work. 4
I never thought I could do this! LIND, 28, SYS: I always hated the dentist. Mum used to make me go, but I stopped as soon as I turned 16. fter I had my son, Jack, I d make his dad take him for check-ups. It s important to keep your teeth clean and healthy, I d tell him. But I d completely ignore my own advice. One day Jack, 5, asked: Why don t you go Mummy? I didn t want him to think there was anything to be afraid of, so I called the surgery, made an appointment. Sitting in the waiting room I was really nervous. Palms clammy, heart racing. You re not scared are you, Mummy? Can you find these words hidden in the grid below? Solutions on page 8. CHECK-UP CLEN CROWN DENTIST ENMEL FLOSS GLEM GUM HELTHY HYGIENIST MOLR MOUTHWSH ORL TOOTHPSTE X-RY Jack asked. Of course not, I fibbed to him. But the dentist was really kind and gentle. Think she could see I was terrified! She explained what she was going to do and the tools she was using. If you want me to stop at any point, just raise your hand, she said. That made me feel less helpless when she was in my mouth. I didn t need any treatment, just a clean up. Now Jack and I go regularly so I ve got to know our dentist and trust her. ll those years my fears had built up and up. Really I d nothing to be scared of! OUR DENTIST, SYS: It s great Linda plucked up the courage to visit her dentist. Most patients who haven t been in a while find their experience is quite different from what they expected. If you tell your dentist you re nervous, they ll do their best to reassure and comfort you. HYG I EN I STMC V L I T N N V C T X H EMCBOOSYE LODMLMMROHZC PUDEOECTDFK D T E W N L L H O L U C H Z H V T N P Y O P RWNRC E I ROS Z O X K H O S S S G S B WS BR L HCUT XUS NHL J NGL EMM L Z U D O Y C L C F F S 5 Photos: istockphoto, posed by models.
EXPERTDVICE Let s get ROOT of Photos: (Except Ray Lowry) istockphoto, posed by models. How do I find an NHS dentist? I ve heard it s tricky! Your local Primary Care Trust can put you in touch with dentists in your area accepting NHS patients. You ll find contact details on page 8 of this mag. How often do I need to have a check-up? It depends on your general health, how healthy your teeth and gums are and whether you ve any special risk factors. It s usually between six months and two years, but ask your dentist. Which dental treatments are available through the NHS? ny work to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy (including dentures, crowns, and bridges). Ever wanted to ask a dentist how things work... But not been able to talk because your jaw s jammed open? Well, we smiled nicely at one of them until he agreed to take a seat in our chair and answer lots of questions! Here s what the dentist and healthcare expert Ray Lowry had to say... Cosmetic treatments, like tooth whitening, can be done privately. Will I be treated differently to a private patient? No. ll dentistry is practised to the same standard and is regulated by the General Dental Council. I hate my dentist, can I change to another one? You can change any time but let your old dentist know, so they can pass on any information to your new dentist. When should I start taking my toddler for check-ups? Is 18 6
t to the f things Can you spot six differences between the two pictures below? Solutions on page 8. months too young? No, 18 months to 2 years is fine! It s good for the child and dentist to get to know each other before any treatment is needed. nd, of course, it s free on the NHS. I just sent my kids to the school dentist when they were young - but that doesn t exist any more. Could I take my grandchildren, aged 4, 6 and 10, along to my dentist instead? Yes, if your dentist has spaces they ll be able to take them on, no matter where they live. I m getting on a bit and wear dentures now. My husband has hardly any teeth left. Do we still need to go to the dentist? Yes, but maybe not as often as you would ve when you were younger. You still need to get your gums and cheeks examined, even if you don t have any teeth left. nd dentures need to be checked to ensure they still fit and haven t worn out. I don t have any problems with my teeth, so why should I go? Prevention is better than cure. Regular check-ups will pick up any problems early and help avoid the need for major treatment. B 7
MKENPPOINTMENT If you d like help finding your nearest NHS dentist, just get in touch... IN N EMERGENCY! I f you re in real pain, the first thing you should do is call your dentist. They ll make every effort to see you within 24 hours. If you re not registered with a dentist, the Croydon Emergency Dental Service (Croydent) is available seven days a week. It helps both registered and unregistered patients. To make an appointment, call us on 0845 000 4567. Top 5 tips to a sparkling smile 1 Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. 2 Replace your toothbrush every three months. 3 Floss regularly. 4 Cut down on sugary snacks or drinks. 5 Chew sugar-free gum after your meal. Phone NHS Croydon s lo-call rate Find Dentist helpline on 0300 1000 899 Text dentist to 64746 For advice with health costs call 0845 850 1166 Or go online. You ll find a full list of dentists providing NHS treatment and more information at www.croydon.nhs.uk You can get free NHS dental treatment if you are: Under 18 18 and in full-time education Pregnant, or have had a baby in the last 12 months You re also entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you, or your partner, receive: Income Support Income-based Jobseeker s llowance Income-related Employment and Support llowance Pension Credit Guarantee Credit P.5 P.7 HYG I EN I STMC V L I T N N V C T X H EMCBOOSYE L O D M L M M R O H Z C P U D E O E C T D F K D T E W N L L H O L U CHZHVTNPYOP RWNRC E I ROS Z O X K H O S S S G S B WS BR L HCUT XUS NHL J NGL EMM L Z U D O Y C L C F F S 8