I have a hole in my tooth the size of a pea and an abscess in my gum, and I can't afford to go to the dentist.

[TheMolarBear]

I know I'm going to need a root canal treatment or (more likely) an extraction.
I've been unemployed since September but haven't been on JSA as my DH has been helping me, and I have no money of my own. Even if I had gone on JSA it would have been contributions based, so I wouldn't have qualified for free NHS treatment.
I just started a new job this week but I don't expect to be paid until the end of January, and my DH can't afford to pay for me as even on the NHS it runs into hundreds of pounds.
The free emergency dental clinics at Kings College Hospital and Guys Hospital don't operate over the Christmas holidays (as they are run by students) and even if they did I'd have to take at least one day off for them which I can't really do a week into a new job.
Am I literally going to have to leave it until it bloody rots and falls out? It's not especially painful at the moment but it is bleeding.

Can you afford emergency dental treatment just to stop the tooth getting worse? Do you know if a temporary filling is possible?

Worst case, can you go to A&E? I don't think an abscess should be left for long as it could become a much worse issue than just your tooth falling out.

Something to keep in mind is that root canals are £250 (Band 3) but extractions are about £55 (Band 2). (NHS charges)

Obviously extractions are rubbish, but it is much more affordable. I understand even £55 can feel like loads, but perhaps someone could lend it to you till you get paid? It would be horrible for it to get suddenly worse over Christmas.

The whole course of treatment (appointments, x-rays, antibiotics) would be included in that band.

I'd go for treatment as soon as you can, especially if it's bleeding. NHS dentist extraction or root canal is £45, but check on their website if I'm wrong.. Kings only open in the morning so you could have half a day off but surely your health is more important.

Extractions aren’t that expensive. Have you got an emergency card it could go on?

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/dental-health/how-much-will-i-pay-for-nhs-dental-treatment/

Actually, I've just realised that root canals are also Band 2 - unless particularly complicated and involving crowns etc.

Please call up and get treated if you can!

I've just been booked in for root canal treatment. I'm under NHS Wales but been told it will.come under the £45 price.

This surprised me and I did question it because I thought it was the higher band but no they say the mid band which is £45 here in Wales.

Could you see you r GP for antibiotics

Try to find an NHS dentist, easier said than done I know. I had an abscess back in September and it was the worst pain of my life. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. But call NHS Direct or whatever they are now and see if you can get the number of an emergency dentist to get it sorted.

1. You have an infection ie abcess - treatment for this is antibiotics and possibly a draining

1. You have a tooth with a large hole.

I would see Dr and ask for antibiotics explaining your situation
I would book dentist for next month and sort out some way of begging or borrowing the money on promise of paying back.

If you let this run you risk getting sepsis and a hospital stay - that would be a couple of weeks off work...

Just saying

Given the size of the hole in my tooth (there's more hole than tooth) a RCT would definitely need a crown. I used to have a filling in there but it came out and took a huge chunk of my tooth with it!
I have no money. Literally less than £1.50 to my name. DH can't lend me any as he's skinted himself paying for my travel to work and mobile phone bill.

Your dentist can drain the pus and remove the infection, reducing the risk of complications. But if left untreated, a gum abscess can worsen and lead to a potentially life-threatening infection. Consult your dentist if you develop any pain, swelling, or discharge in your gums

^The above are the first couple of sentences I've just read about gum abscesses. Please don't leave it op.If you can't have a root canal then extraction and/or antibiotics are the best and most inexpensive option.

They don’t crown a root canal immediately. I’ve still got a filling on mine. My dentist said it had to be five six months later. I also had a massive hole.

Book your appointment go and have time work done and ‘forget’ to bring you purse, they will send you an invoice in the post.

Can you get a doctors appointment to get antibiotics, if you're planning on getting the tooth out anyway, it's the infection that you want to treat.

Would a gp prescribe antibiotics for a dental problem?

Isn’t emergency treatment cheaper?? I’m sure my colleague just has some emergency work and it was 14.95

I’m sorry I don’t know anywhere else apart from guys that offers free dental care. So it sounds like you need to raise some cash quick - options:

1. Can you ask your new job for an advance to cover the dental work?

1. Anything you could sell on a Facebook selling page?

Emergency treatment is £21

Your doctor will give you antibiotics if you are desperate, they won't like it but if you insist they will. I had to do it once.

Call 111 OP

DH needs to put it on a credit card or take a payday loan - you can't suffer that kind of pain for another 6 weeks.

@chickywoo would you "forget" your wallet at the shop when buying bread and milk? You could try being upfront and explaining your financial situation.
Dentists and their staff have to make a living too.

I mean, I'd like not to lose the tooth if I can avoid it... if this were happening this time next month money wouldn't be an issue! I don't have a credit card or anything (and I have crappy credit history so I can't get one).
I only started my new job last week. We're still trying to figure out my contract (long story) so I really can't take time off at short notice. The soonest I'd be able to get to my GP is Christmas Eve (if the surgery is even open on Christmas Eve) as I am not working after this Friday until the 7th Jan.
I am registered with an NHS dentist.

Get an hc1 form from a pharmacist, dentist or optician or the nhs "help with healthcare costs" website:

www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs/nhs-low-income-scheme-lis/

You may be entitled to some help or free dental/prescriptions.

Might not help in the short term as it takes a while for applications to be processed but you can pay for you treatment and ask for a refund as part of the application as long as you get receipts and put the appropriate dates are used (ie putting a start date for the claim as before the dental treatment). If there's any problems with your claim or you need help answering questions on the form I've always found the advisors in the forms helpline very friendly and helpful.

Are you anywhere near Liverpool? There's a dental hospital not far from the Royal, where you can get an emergency appointment for free.
You would have to get there at the crack of dawn though and waiting times are massive.