It is a certain type of fear that strikes when you realise that your last visit to the dentist was a totally different part of your life. Maybe a different job. Perhaps another relationship. No doubt another Boris Johnson crisis. It is not the first time that the residents of Richmond feel it, and the hunt to find a decent local dentist at all is truly stressful. The thing is that here though the dental landscape in Richmond is actually more diverse and accessible than many people think, when you know what you are looking at. Looking for comprehensive dental exams, full details are waiting for you.
The first fork in the road is always NHS versus private. Treatment in Richmond using the NHS is subject to the standard banding system – Band 1: check-up and urgent care, Band 2: fillings and extractions, Band 3: crowns and more complex operations. The prices are set, and they are really affordable. The problem is supply. Dental slots in NHS across Richmond have become increasingly tight, and practices that were taking new patients two years ago might not currently. Call directly and ask. Do not use NHS website listings, which refresh themselves with the vigour of a governmental form. The excess flows to private practices, most of which provide monthly wellness plans that make prices more predictable.
Plastic surgery has insidiously found its way into Richmond clinics. Composite bonding, teeth whitening, clear aligners — these are not fringe products anymore. They are common menu in most private practices. In case you are interested in cosmetic work, request to view true patient cases before making a commitment. Any dentist with salt in his mouth will present you with actual results and not blink. Unspecific vague before-and-afters are a warning sign worth paying attention to.
Fear of dentists is embarrassingly prevalent and grossly underreported. Fear of the chair makes people miss appointments, postpone treatment and allow small issues to turn into costly ones. Some of the Richmond practices, in particular, have also invested specifically in patient anxiety management, providing sedation options, unhurried appointment pacing, and staff with training on actually noticing that a person has knuckles that are white. Discuss your anxiety during booking. The answer you receive is truly eye-opening regarding the culture of the practice.
A practical hint that can save time: verify with your desired dentist in Richmond whether it has on-site specialists or it outsources complex treatments. A specialist is occasionally needed in the case of implants, orthodontics, and treatment of gum disease. Being informed of this at the very beginning saves you the hassle of developing a rapport with a dentist only to find out that he or she is going to refer you back to someone who will provide you with the treatment you actually require. Ask early, decide clearly.