How long before dentists can actively treat?

[ChocRasp]

I was partway through treatment just before lockdown and have had awful problems with an abscess since the end of March.
The dentist, who I really rate, has prescribed me three lots of antibiotics but I need root canal.
I've got an emergency appointment tomorrow but the receptionist advised me that it will just be for advice. Plus I have to pay £70.
It seems some dentists are treating again, should I find one that is? I'm not sure of the protocol.

[JemilyJ]

My dentist is booking non emergencies in for August onwards and apparently another practice locally is saying they’ll contact people at the end of July.

So I don’t know but I’d guess August. Can you ask to be referred to one of the hubs?

[Spinakker]

I've got an appointment today to refill my front tooth. It is private though. Ring round !

[ChocRasp]

Thanks for replying @JemilyJ , they have offered the hub but apparently they only do extractions which is something I'm actively trying to avoid.
I can wait another few weeks with more antibiotics if it's the end of July.

[ChocRasp]

This is private too.

[AhGoGo]

The hub care in Scotland has been expanded to filling (not sure about root canals) the guidelines are changing regularly. So hopefully things will improve soon for you.

[Spinakker]

I called about 4 local dentists and it was my regular dentist who let me know some private ones are starting treatments. So I rang and was shocked to get booked in today and it's definitely for treatment not just consultation.

[gamerchick]

I'll tell you, I've been more nervous with dentists shutting more than I have about the virus. Amazing how much you take something for granted. I've never fannied on with my teeth and gums so much. I've even taken over my 13 yr olds brushing just to make absolutely sure it's done right.

I miss dentists.

[nitgel]

ours said they aren't doing any drill work!

[Talulahoopla]

I've been on to the dentist again today about a filling that's been causing all sorts of pain since it was done in March and she referred me to the emergency hub. The dentist there phoned within an hour and said she'd recommend treatment at local dental hospital. Apparently they're set up to do fillings so will be able to fix my troublesome tooth (great news for me) but the website also said they might also remove roots. Dentist at the hub said the dental hospital can do aerosol treatment so if circumstances justify, it might be possible to get it done. I should say, as much as the emergency hub dentist did say that she'd recommend my filling get fixed the decision ultimately tests with the dental hospital so not guaranteed. I'm in Scotland and appreciate it might be different where you are. I've got so much fear that it's infected and has developed in to an abscess - just the possibility of being seen is a weight off.

[onemouseplace]

My (private) dentist is open for emergency treatment from today and will be booking in missed checkups etc when they’ve worked through those. Lots of measures in place for Covid though.

[Blobby10]

My OH is a private dentist and they are opening 22 June for urgent cases including aerosol treatments but it will be first come first served. They have a spare surgery so that has been designated the aerosol room and will be 'allowed' 1 patient per hour so it can have a decontamination clean afterwards. They will use their normal surgeries to do check ups and non aerosol procedures but have all sorts of precautions in place including one way systems and temperature checks of staff and patients

i suspect (and really hope) that before too long all these precautions will be quietly dropped as being more trouble than they are worth.

[puffinkoala]

My dentist (private) has reopened today. They are prioritising people in pain, obviously, I imagine it will be a while before they are doing routine check-ups etc but I am so relieved they are open again. My mum lost a filling so hopefully she can get booked in now too, though her dentist is NHS so not sure.

I have lost the same filling twice (or better a filling from the same tooth twice)by eating a toffee so have been really careful not to eat anything sticky during lockdown. I won't be rushing to buy sweets but I am glad my dentist is open.

[BamboozledandBefuddled]

My dentist is reopening today and doing all work except 'compex surgical procedures'. You could start ringing round OP but I'll think you find most dentists are giving priority to people already registered with them who need urgent treatment. It certainly can't hurt to ask though - you can change dentist any time you like and some of them may be looking for new customers.

[ChocRasp]

Thank you to the replies. I'll see what he says tomorrow, I'm hoping I'll at least get a date for treatment. Being in pain for 3 months has been the worst side of lockdown for me and that I can't drink on the antibiotics.

[oralengineer]

It really depends on PPE some dentists may have stock and in private dental surgeries it will probably last longer because they see far less patients per day. Advice is that if a surgery is used for an aerosol generating procedure it has to be closed for 60mins to allow aerosol to dissipate.
We are lucky that we have 5 surgeries and only 3 dentists. We have decided to have one dentist working face to face each day with other triaging on phone. This allows for rotation around the surgeries if we need to do aerosol procedures. But if you are unsure of procedure ask your dentist for reassurance. I definitely wouldn’t want to be treated at the moment if a surgery wasn’t being “aired” for 60mins after a procedure.
Do expect to be treated by dentists in full PPE ie respirators. We are not going to be very chatty for the next few months!
We have decided after risk assessment to avoid aerosol procedures unless absolutely necessary. It will be patients who are at risk from asymptomatic patients if full protocol isn’t followed.

[Elieza]

What’s the point of paying £70 for an emergency ‘advice only’ appointment?

Cancel and go somewhere they can actually do something just now.

[palacegirl77]

I sincerely hope all British dentists will only use British laboratories now - will fully trained GDC registered staff and the highest levels of infection control. Always ask your dentist where the lab they use is based - too many ship jobs to China or Turkey to get a cheaper job. Unsurprisingly most people aren't aware of that.

[Redhair23]

Our private dentist called today for appointments, he is doing urgent treatment for the next month and then check ups.

[SirVixofVixHall]

I was also just about to have treatment, it is a big worry. My dentist has said they can’t do any treatment that could aerosolise the virus, so no drilling, no deep cleaning etc. He mentioned not being able to do any of this until well into next year.

[palacegirl77]

That's nonsense! Nowhere has "next year" been given as a guideline. NHS dentists don't want to go back because they get paid whilst theyre not working. It's a disgrace. The virus could be gone by then. We could have a vaccine. They could have airtight PPE full body suits! Who knows? But they don't know!

[Mummypig2020]

Dd12 has braces. She hasn’t seen anyone since January and the dentist said she won’t see anyone until September earliest.

[puffinkoala]

A friend of my son happened to have an orthodontist appointment scheduled this week and said it is going ahead.

[Kazzyhoward]

NHS dentists don't want to go back because they get paid whilst theyre not working. It's a disgrace.

Fully agree. Private dentists are finding ways to work because they're not being paid to sit around doing nothing. NHS on the other hand.....

[SirVixofVixHall]

My dentist is private, and he has said next year in the updating email.

[winterisstillcoming]

I'm not sure how private practices are seeing one patient and hour doing aerosol procedures as 1 hour has to be left after the procedure before a surgery can even be cleaned. I would struggle to see 4 patients.

Unfortunately there is little pressure at the moment for NHS practices to open at the moment although they've not been given enough notice, and only found out when the public did that they were going to reopen. The reopening plan was only released last Friday. They weren't even told how much, or if they were getting paid
until the day they were paid, which is always in arrears.

Private dentists are losing money hand over fist and might not follow the NHS return to work guidelines even though they have been told that they are expected to follow them. They have bills to pay.

Patients are the victims of this lack of guidance. However it remains that dental procedures involving drills and air spray pose an extremely high risk to dentists and their assistants.
PPE also must be prioritised for those who are saving lives.

The population's dental health has always been overlooked, and our profession undervalued by the government and patients alike. I have some lovely patients but also lots who treat my profession with contempt. Hopefully that will now change.