On 10 May 2010 at 9:59am MC wrote:
Hello,
after managing to avoid them for over two decades I now need to visit a dentist.
Can anyone recommend a good one? I'd prefer one that is conscientious, communicative, good at his job and not hugely expensive.
I do understand that it is now next to impossible to get dentistry on the National Health (thanks Maggie) and that I will need to pay.
Any recommendations very appreciated.
On 10 May 2010 at 10:55am tooth fairy wrote:
Albion street dentists are very good and take nhs
On 10 May 2010 at 11:19am Private Patient wrote:
I prefer to go private as "you get what you pay for". That being said, I don't think there is that much difference between NHS & private fees.
The Swedish dentists at St Anne's are brilliant - they practice conservative dentistry and are conscienscious and very experienced.
On 10 May 2010 at 12:11pm Rookie wrote:
I'm at St Annes too. No problems there at, although my regular dentist is downscaling her patient list and I'm due to see a new dentist next time. Hopefully they will be just as good.
On 10 May 2010 at 12:12pm Rookie wrote:
Also, I think St Annes still take on NHS patients.
On 10 May 2010 at 12:47pm Root Filling wrote:
Not a great fan of dentists myself, but have found St Annes very good over the last 10yrs and the recent changes have only improved it.
On 10 May 2010 at 4:17pm MC wrote:
Thanks for the replies. I've booked a dentist at St Annes, a Swedish one named something like Tonybin (maybe), not the head of the practice though, who is also Swedish.
FYI. The don't do National Health work, so I'm just going to have to find out why I should choose one over the other (it seems you have to pay for both the NHS and private service).
On 10 May 2010 at 4:19pm The Tooth Fairy wrote:
Incorrect 'tooth fairy' (get your own name) Albion Street are a conmplete shambles. They can't hang on to most of the dentists that work there, consequently you'll be lucky to see the same one twice. Avoid.
On 10 May 2010 at 5:23pm Trevor wrote:
St Anne's definitely not NHS, only go if you have great teeth that will only need a check up, otherwise ££££££
Don't bother with the Swedish ones at the bottom of hill, they don't have a hygienist, so they do a bit themselves and then sting you for having gum disease, due to not having a hygenist
Above Monsoon, arrogant and likes to bump up the work.
North street - Old fashioned,honest and at least NHS
On 10 May 2010 at 5:26pm fair enough wrote:
Albion Street were good when I went there, probably a year ago now mind. Sorted out a messed up filling caused by a dentist in Haywards Heath. The dentist who did the work might be gone now according to 'the' tooth fairy.
On 10 May 2010 at 5:58pm Kev wrote:
Second the comment made by Trevor on the one above Monsoon,
Dr Steven Kell aka Dr Trying to Kill.
Obviously in dentristy they dont teach you people skills or how to communicate with paying patients.
Wish you could ask for a break down of the bill and not pay for the sarcastic and arrogant responses you get would probably knock off half the bill.
On 10 May 2010 at 8:04pm bt b wrote:
got to disagree with kev. I have seen him for recent work. He seems fair and the work is good quality. also gentle and professional. gave me a break down of work and showed me what i need on camera.
On 10 May 2010 at 9:17pm wills the lord wrote:
been to the swedes in school hill and above monsoon.
would not trust the school hill ones with money or my teeth. monsoon was ok. quite friendly fair and honest i think. told it to me as it was and solved my problem. would go back to him.
On 10 May 2010 at 9:31pm willow wrote:
was patient at albion street. reserving judgment on them. they were closed a week or so ago and i got re directed to the monsoon place saw the lady.
the whole place seemed chilled out and did there best to see me. certainly different to albion st where i seem an annoyance.
thinking of going there permenantly.
On 10 May 2010 at 10:00pm Blimey wrote:
How many Swedish dentists are there in the town - School Hill, Above Monsoon and St Anne's? How come we never meet this sizable Swedish population in the town and why don't we have a branch of Ikea?
On 10 May 2010 at 10:49pm develish wrote:
above monsoon for me- no problems at all
On 11 May 2010 at 3:18am brixtonbelle wrote:
school hill - they do nhs as well. seem to be fine.
anyone recommend a good orthodontist that does nhs work for children ?
On 11 May 2010 at 10:09am Miss Floss wrote:
Albion Street in my opinion has gone downhill in the last few years. My dentist has changed at least 4 times recently. The receptionist says things like 'alright gorgeous' and 'park yer bum'. The 'new' refurbishments they have had done are horrible... 
On 11 May 2010 at 10:15am Shane McGowan wrote:
Never had a problem with the School Hill dentists, who, I believe, are actually Danish.
On 11 May 2010 at 10:45am Feline wrote:
I've always had good treatment at School Hill, and yes they are Danish. You do have to book ages in advance for a hygienist though. Last time I went with a disintegrated tooth due to old filling falling out and I assumed I'd need a crown but was told they could repair it for less than half the cost and that it would be more stable then a crown. I almost ended up having an argument with the (delightful!) dentist as I assured him i could afford to pay for a crown and he kept saying the cheaper option was the better option! This has proved to be the case - so they're definitly not 'drill and fill' merchants.
On 11 May 2010 at 11:30am fs wrote:
Dr Schmidt from Albion Street (the white haired Danish dentist) has moved to North Chailey. Bit of a trek out but easy parking and sparkling hi tech surgery.
Such a change from Albion Street which always felt a bit grotty and the receptionist drove me mad too.
We have moved with him and he's taking NHS patients - 01825 724694.
I'm not connected to them but he is very good - and kind!
On 11 May 2010 at 11:37am 'ere be monsters wrote:
Lots of posts about above Monsoon Graham (Dingo) Knowles was the long established "nice guy" there. He retired about 6-8 weeks ago, so that could be where the conflict is coming from.
On 11 May 2010 at 12:36pm oh my god wrote:
feline- the reason for this is nhs dentists do not like doing crowns as it costs them to get it made and if they do not need the points- he was doing the best for him and not you!!
On 11 May 2010 at 1:32pm Feline wrote:
oh my god - I was paying privately!
On 11 May 2010 at 8:14pm the lad wrote:
Dr kell at monsoon- you cannot go wrong.
On 12 May 2010 at 1:36pm Honest Dave wrote:
Dr Shipman, at Her Majestys Pleasure?!
On 12 May 2010 at 3:07pm MC wrote:
I've got a bit lost with which practice is which here, so I've made a summary (without judgements)
St Annes (top of town). Private only. Tel: 473189
Lewes High Street Dental Practice (above Monsoon). V.limited NHS & private. Stephen Kell. Private only: Tel: 478240
Albion Dental. NHS & private only. Tel: 474749
North Street Dental Practice. Limited NHS & private. Tel: 472248
ALH Dental Practices. Dr Schmidt. North Chailey. NHS & private. Tel: 01825 724694
Dunno if the one referred to as School Hill is the same on referred to as "above Monsoon". I have assume it is and it is Lewes High Street Dental Practice. If it's not I can't find one with an address listed as School Hill.
I have discovered that what I really need is a dentist that does both NHS and Private, then for any particular piece of work I can make a choice based upon price. qualit and cosmetic attributes. For private a check up starts at £40 whereas NHS is about £16. Prices for fillings start about the same (£46) but private prices increase depending upon how many faces a filling has. It seems that NHS work is cost banded too and if you need a lot of work (and I might, well two fillings at least) then it might be best to find a NHS dentist.
I have also found that NHS dentists are few and far between. Only one of the practices above mentions NHS work on its web site and the ones that do any NHS seem to have filled their NHS quotas.
I've cancelled my St Annes appointment as they only do private. North Street Dental Practice have been very helpful indeed, but don't have any NHS available till July. Not hugely impressed with the others I've rung.
I'm only left with a choice between Albion Street and Dr Schmidt of ALH dental practices in Chailey now (whose phone is constantly engaged).
Getting a filling used to be so simple.
On 13 May 2010 at 1:43am insecure wrote:
Have any of you had experiences with having all four wisdom teeth out, being female, at a dentist surgery, under general anaesthetic, with dentist only and no dental nurse to be seen? This has played on my mind for many years! Probably totally OK, but would be interested in comments. 
On 13 May 2010 at 5:34am wisdom wrote:
lewes dental clinic, high street lewes. 488866. highly recommended. 2 partners are danish. 1 polish dentist + 1 lady dentist(not sure of nationality). not to be confused with lewes high street dentist. take NHS and private.
On 13 May 2010 at 9:05am Feline wrote:
Yes - this is NOT the one above Monsoon. It is at bottom of School Hill on right as you're heading for the precinct. Double-fronted white house set back a bit from the shops with steps leading up to the front door.
On 13 May 2010 at 10:28am MC wrote:
Thanks for that wisdom. I've booked with Lewes Dental Clinic in the High Street despite the fact that they seem rather underpowered (the dentists only work two days a week and there isn't one there on Wednesdays) and don't have a web site (what?!). The first appointment they could do on the NHS was a month off though. The dentist is Dan Roworth, who is Danish.
The only other two who could do NHS earlier than a month were Albion and Dr Schmidt in Chailey. I was put off Albion by the woman who answered the phone saying "you can have the bog-standard treatment for....", she didn't really inspire confidence. Dr Scmidt is 70 years old and as I'm looking for a dentist to do my teeth for the next decade or two he didn't seem appropriate.
On 13 May 2010 at 1:51pm rozzers wrote:
so that will be to see him once in the next 20 years?
cannot wait for the next thread on your visit fasinating stuff this
On 13 May 2010 at 8:26pm MC wrote:
Glad you liked it rozzer. I also found your contribution fascinating.
On 13 May 2010 at 8:30pm a bored walker wrote:
if i may i would like to share my findings even if i do upset the rude rozzers.
I went for a walk around all the practice today and here are my superficial findings.
If you want quality and class go to either st. Annes or Lewes High Street dental Practice (above monsoon). Both predominantly private, But the monsoon has a NHS waiting list for a new dentist starting in August- they have the builders in for a new surgery being fitted.
Both of the above were very pleasent and had welcoming atmospheres with nice receptionists.
If you want NHS sooner than aug ( limited choice of treatments but cheap, so i can gather) go to Albion Street or school hill.
the receptionists at both these did not have so much time for me.
Could not work out North street. In a porter cabin but seemed pleasent. Odd set up though with lots of dentists some taking patients some not.
Hope this helps, I guess you need to go with your gut feelings on this.
On 13 May 2010 at 10:04pm well 'ard wrote:
if shane mcgowan goes to school hill, That does not say much for them!!!!
On 14 May 2010 at 9:40am Shane McGowan wrote:
Blimey Well 'Ard, that took a long time to sink in !
On 4 Jun 2010 at 1:27am Satisfied wrote:
Interesting reading.Came across this by chance at this hour during another one of my sleepless nights .Went to ALH Dental Practices North Chailey (apparently they have a branch in Ticehurst too) .State of the art equipment.Had a full examination done with blood pressure and all.X-rays were taken and everything carefully explained to me on the chair mounted monitor .Treatment plan was printed, costs explained including guarantees on the treatments . I received root canal treatment and a white crown on a back molar tooth plus all the fillings I needed and a polish and scale ALL on the NHS It cost me £198 in total . They also offer private treatments such as implants with a crown included for £1000 .These people are genuine and caring .I ve never had such wonderfull treatment in the whole of my 68 years, not even at my previous private practice that I use to attend . Oh I forgot to mention Dr Schmidt has left the practice I saw the owner himself, Andrew Hill, originally from South Africa I m told. Very competent man and a real gentleman with his bedside manner!! Must say they seem extremely busy but not surprisingly so if every one receives the same treatment I ve had .