Also when I asked about a clean I was told that would cost £45. (which my insurance doesn't cover), as it is not done on the NHS, even though a simple scale and polish is supposed to be done at a checkup according to the NHS website and is included in band 1 £18.

The dentists has recently been taken over by a much larger firm, and is full of dentists from other countries which doesn't bother me in the slightest although it does help if they speak English.  My last dentist was from Germany and I saw him for 30 years was a wonderful gentle and caring man who looked after my teath very well so well my crowns lasted for 21 years. Sadly he retired and sold the practice to this new firm.

And................................breath