Advice please! DH needs his wisdom tooth out - can't afford our dentists price :(

Do it for £80. It would cost more than that from an NHS dentist I think?
He can't just leave it.

Hi, I had an extremely painful infected tooth July 2022. I phoned 111 and they gave me the emergency number, they would only see you if you say you're in extreme pain though and you had to call at exactly 8am. When I went to the emergency appointment they said that they would be able to take out the tooth for a very low price (as it was an emergency), but unfortunately after doing an x-ray they discovered that I have curved roots in my teeth and would need an operation at the hospital to take it out. They did prescribe antibiotics, and they did a repeat prescription for codeine for the pain.

I was on the waiting list for the operation for ages but finally had it under GA in October 2023, so a year and 3 months later.

ive also been prescribed antibiotics by a private emergency dentist for about £30 - as part of a general check of my mouth then they give the prescription.

I live in a busy city though - is it that you don't have many options/?

I called 111 asked for urgent dentist they found me one open late hours and got the antibiotic prescription there

Honestly don't put off dealing with the underlying issue though - it's also not good for your general gut health to keep taking antibiotics (which I did end up having to do)

Wisdom teeth are a nightmare. Unfortunately once you keep getting dental infections, it can become quite risky. I had a really nasty infection where I was close to needing hospital and IV antibiotics and others that were painful and debilitating but not quite as serious. I’ve had 4 out. Two my normal (private) dentist did for a reasonable cost. Those were upper ones.

I’ve had problems with one of my impacted ones for years and have had multiple referrals to the NHS and they wouldn’t touch it due to proximity to nerve. I’ve since had that one out privately at a cost of £395 plus another £90 for a specialist 360 xray. The cost felt painful but it was effectively surgery as they had to cut the gum and drill out the tooth and only a specialist would do that.

I think find a way to pay the £300 - consider the huge health implications of not dealing with dental problems - I didn't deal with an abcess and REALLY regret it - if he ends up with infections etc will be a lot worse.

When I lived in the ME, I had my impacted wisdom tooth (and the other 3 for good measure, because there was no space for them to emerge anyway) extracted under GA for £500. Unfortunately the only way to get affordable private dentistry in the UK appears to be on a monthly insurance plan.

Where are you? There’s one in Chesterfield that’s good for emergencies
https://www.glumangatedental.co.uk/

Most areas have an NHS emergency dental service attached to the local hospital

£80 for antibiotics is insane, I had xray & antibiotics last year from my private dentist & it was £50 !!

Also compare price lists from other dentists - even if they aren’t taking on any NHS patients books are still usually open for private.

Scot Arms Dental Practice Emergency help https://www.scottarmsdentalpractice.com/emergency-dentist-birmingham.html

They charged my son £150 for his broken wisdom tooth…it was a simple extraction and most of that cost was for the local quick acting anaesthetic. they specialise in dental emergencies and may be able to signpost you to something similar closer to your home.

Becoming a Therian is starting to make sense 🤔😂
Woof 🐶

I can speak to my GP within 5 minutes too.

How on earth do you manage that?

About 6/7 years ago I had an infected root that was AGONY. I couldn't find an NHS dentist for love nor money. 111 referred me to an emergency dentist but they also wouldn't remove the tooth, just patched me up (badly) for a fee.

In the end I went to A&E, in the middle of the night. I was howling like I was in labour, the pain was insane. The snotty receptionist told me they couldn't do anything for tooth pain. I told her (with about 90% seriousness) that if they didn't help me I was going to jump off the local bridge as it was unbearable. Luckily a nurse overheard and told her to 'admit' me (or whatever the terminology is). I needed IV antibiotics and had surgery to remove the tooth. I was in hospital for 4 days. If I had been able to access an NHS dentist, this wouldn't have been necessary. Something has to give in dentistry. It's mad.

Look for NHS emergency dentists. there is an NHS one in Oxford based at 2Nd Floor, East Oxford Health Centre, Manzil Way, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX4 1XD.

There is one at Great Barr in Birmingham who were very good with my eldest autistic DS when a wisdom tooth broke exposing the nerve. They got it out for him.

Having used Bham Dental Hospital for DS in pain and looking like a hamster with wisdom teeth I can recommend. Yes it’s a long wait but if you are in real need they will triage and help you. They can take out badly infected teeth and have the back up of the QE and Midlands Hospital oral surgery and maxofacial teams if I/v antibiotics or more complex dental work is needed.

Hope you manage to get him some help….and check his private payment plan as Denplan’s office can signpost for where you could find help in emergencies too.

I hope you get sorted soon - after all this is you can afford it i highly recommend dental insurance- I currently pay 20e a month and i am covered for 100 per cent routine check ups, 75 back on fillings and am covered for teeth extraction and emergency dental treatment. Its so worth it

I can speak to my GP within 5 minutes too.

@Laiste I had to have an emergency wisdom tooth removal recently and it was a similar price.

111 will be reading off a script so a lot of times it's just not reliable. Especially when it's not a medical emergency.

I think you'll have to take up a payment plan. That's just the way it is now for most people.

Good luck on trying the two NHS dentists today, though. Hopefully one of them will come through for you.

But they don't do emergency admissions, usually.
People I know who are referred to dental hospitals are on waiting lists- it's not emergency treatment.

No, I’m saying she’s lucky to have such a responsive GP in this day and age.

@Laiste He really needs continuity of care and to build up a relationship with a dentist with regular appts.

Men can be very casual over this kind of thing.

As you have said, impacted wisdom teeth can flare then remiss. I'm not sure you know if it's actually infected or you're assuming it is because of the pain.
Pain doesn't always equal infection if it's impacted.

What he needs is an ongoing conversation via regular appts, with his private dentist about whether to remove the tooth or not.

Unless it's 100% impossible, he should pay the £300, but also consider Denplan insurance longer-term.

You need dental departments of local hospitals or trusts or maxifacial surgery

If you are in the UK it should be done under the NHS if it really needs doing, I've had two done, both free, one under GA and one under local, referred to the hospital by my private dentist no NHS dentists available.

So you're saying she's lying?

You rang and spoke to a GP in less than 8 minutes, this early in the day? That’s incredible

https://www.bhamcommunity.nhs.uk/birmingham-dental-hospital/

From the information on the website, you will need a 111 emergency referral. They also operate through the Scott Arms Dental Practice, who it may be worth ringing and explaining the situation, if you haven’t already.