ds needs a tooth out. Dentist has referred to very inconvenient practice with no appointments quickly. Can I look elsewhere?

[Lio]

I'd like this done quite soon as ds has recurrent toothache and extraction is the recommended course of action (let's skip over my horrendous guilt about poor brushing technique).

Am I within my rights simply to find a local practice to do the job?

Is my dentist deliberately not recommending a local practice for some reason, or is it just really rare for dentists to extract children's teeth? I live in Stevenage, by the way.

Thanks in advance.

[Lio]

.

[scurryfunge]

There is nothing to stop you going private but it will cost you.

[Lio]

Yes, I would definitely consider that but my Google skills suck, so will have to wait until I am not at work and can do some ringing around to find out how much it costs. £100? £200? More? Anyone know?

[scurryfunge]

Had a quick google and one site suggests £92 for tooth extraction.

[Lio]

Ah, thanks, I also saw that one, and was trying to understand if it covers children (I wonder if it might be more because of a different type of anaesthetic?). V kind of you to look, and it is now 5pm so I'm leaving the very hot office and heading for home, hoorah!

[moomskib]

Hi,
I have had experience with my children at
Leagrave Dental Sedation Clinic in Luton & Chartwell Dental CLinic in Croxley Green. The one in luton was thru our NHS dentist & was for my DD to have 2 teeth removed which had been bashed backwards! She was sedated & it was absolutely fine (traumatic for me!)The staff were great & as it was thru NHS it was free. We have just been to the Chartwell via a referral from a private Paediodontist as my DS has had bad teeth from day 1 due to reflux ( and I too have total guilt about my brushing technique! - but what dont u feel guilty for as a mum!?) He had to be sedated & have fillings (absolutely mortifying as he is only 4!) but the staff there were really great. As it was private you have to pay for the anasthetist and not the treatment as such and it cost £465 for 45 mins!! (300 and somethg if half an hr) Its a funny looking little place from the outside but they were really great (they made me a cuppa whilst I sat and sobbed!!) so I would really recommend trying there. hope this helps.

[alypaly]

why will your own dentist not do it.

[Lio]

moomskib, many many thanks for that, if I don't find anywhere nearer, I will certainly call the NHS one to see if they can do it any quicker than the one in Cheshunt. The timescale worries me more than the distance and I don't think Luton is any worse a drive from here.

alypaly, I actually don't know why my dentist doesn't do this, but assumed it was to do with the sedation, I guess they have to have an anaesthetist there?

[alypaly]

if its a general an anaesthetist needs to be there but many extractions are done under local.

[Lio]

Thank alypaly, I should be able to do some ringing around tomorrow (am at work Mons and Tues).