GP's have patient lists
Under current arrangements dentists do not have any such thing as patient lists and new or returning patients have same priority on nhs services most of the time.

NICE guidelines assume attendance is only needed every two years if you were in perfect health and with perfect teeth (very rare)

The dentist should not be booking return appointments for you. If you were told 12months at your last check up a re-call within 6 months seem wrong.

I would recommend sending a copy of the letter to the PAL's department of your local PCT or at least threaten to if they do not make you an appointment when you need one.

(you are classed as having an NHS dentist if you have been seen in the last 24 months though this is not the same as being on a dentists list as such)

I am a primary care finance analyst so this is my day job.

View the original article here