will this get an urgent NHS referral?

[Allisgood1]

Really hope this gets a reply as my other thread didn't.

Dd (7) has a tooth abscess. We saw an emergency dentist fri eve. He gave her antibiotics. Although she is improving slightly, she's still requiring meds around the clock. She is extremely anxious anyway, and this is making her even more so. She can't eat so is on a liquid diet (has been since fri). The abscess is spreading.

Will she likely get an urgent referral to have the tooth extracted under general anesthetic? Or will we likely be waiting a while?

[Allisgood1]

No one?

[ktmummy1]

I think it's impossible to say. Your best bet would be to either take her to A&E if the absess is spreading and causing concern eg of spreading infection. Or wait until morning and phone dentist to ask your question to them. If you have concerns and don't know what to do tonight, you could always phone non-emergency medical number -is it 112?

[lougle]

If the abscess is spreading, the antibiotics might not be the correct ones. 48 hours into treatment you should see that they are starting to work. I would phone 111 to ask advice on your next steps.

[BlandandInsipid]

What is her temperature? Is her cheek hot? Any nausea?

[Allisgood1]

111 have been bloody useless. It's a "dental problem" and the dental people shut at 1pm on weekends. They referred her to the ooh GP and they refused to see her.

She's fine in herself, no nausea or fever (although she's being dosed regularly). I have seen a slight difference in her pain levels (they seem better than Friday). We are taking her to dentist first thing but there's nothing they can do other than refer (we've already been told this). I feel bloody helpless.

[BlandandInsipid]

Dental services in this country can be so hit and miss! I can understand your frustrations.
It does sound as if it's going the right way, which is obviously reassuring.
Hope she manages to get a good nights sleep and then I would be hammering the door of the dentist the second they open!

[KitKat1985]

Most dentists won't remove a tooth whilst an infection is present as can cause infection to spread into the jaw bone.

How is your DD doing now?

[Snert26]

my husband had a out of hours dental emergency i rang the number for out of hours dental help and they told me to take my husband straight to A&E to get his help.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

How do you know it is spreading?

A decrease in pain is a good sign

[LIZS]

Do you have a dentist? Ring them first thing if no better and ask for emergency appointment to review.