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Original poster

Dentist won’t see me due to my temperature

20 replies

ToothHurting · 09/08/2020 16:43

A few weeks ago one of my teeth fell out, it wasn’t unexpected I’ve had a lot of treatment on that particular tooth over the years.

Earlier this week I started getting pain in the part of the gum where the tooth was and had a slight temperature (38.1). I took a covid test on Tuesday and booked a dentists appointment for Friday, results came back Thursday negative of course – I have been out but been wearing a mask in the supermarket and not been near anyone who has symptoms.

Friday got a call from the dentist that they won’t see me if I have a temperature. I stated I’d had a covid test and could prove the negative result but they have refused and hung up on me when I insisted that my temp is due to an infection in the gum and not covid. They did say before hanging up I am subject to a temperature check before entering the building and if it's above 37.7 they will refuse me access to the building. Even with painkillers I can't get it below 37.9.

This isn’t my actual dental practice which is still closed, its one of it’s partners which is dealing with emergency and urgent treatment.

I’ve been calling round other dentists but they’re not taking on new patients atm due to covid (understandably).

Is there anything I can do? I really need to see a dentist. Local hospital doesn’t have a dental department they refer to the big hospital in the next county if it’s needed (I know as mums had treatment there). Pain is manageable at the moment with co-codamol and being careful what I eat but I’m not sure how much longer it will be.

OP posts:
OryxNotCrake · 09/08/2020 16:48

Phone your GP. You may need antibiotics to sort the infection and a GP should see you if your dentist won’t.

Dinosaurus86 · 09/08/2020 16:54

I agree - see the GP. Otherwise if you have a negative COVID test you could try turning up to the dentist if you’re willing to risk being turned away. If they’re using those forehead guns they all seem to measure a bit low, so if your temp is only a little high it might be ok...

Luaa · 09/08/2020 16:57

I expect they are using forehead ones, can you cool you head just before you go in?

I wouldn't normally agree with trying to cheat it, but you've had a test and it does seem highly likely the temperature is because if the infection.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Dental health General health
QueenOfPain · 09/08/2020 16:58

@OryxNotCrake That’s not true, GP’s aren’t actually licensed to prescribe for dental problems and a lot of them won’t be covered by their indemnity to do it. Some will of course prescribe at their own discretion, however the Dentist could just as easily prescribe antibiotics remotely for OP to send someone to collect for her from a pharmacy.

OP, ring your own dentist again tomorrow and ask for them to prescribe abx and either leave a script behind reception or send it to a pharmacy.

They can’t do anything when there’s an active infection anyway, so was always going to be a course of antibiotics first anyway.

cautiouscovidity · 09/08/2020 16:58

What a ridiculous situation to be caught up in. If I were you, I'd take a dose of paracetamol an hour before the appointment and hope it brings your temp down enough to pass the test to get in.

MillyMollyMardy · 09/08/2020 17:15

Dentist here.That's bonkers.
Ring tomorrow, ask to be triaged by one of the dentists. If they still won't see you they should be able to remotely prescribe antibiotics. Covid19 isn't the only thing that gives a high temperature.
Failing that if you're in England call 111 and tell them your problem, the emergency clinics are meant to be for "covid emergencies" as well.

Original poster
ToothHurting · 09/08/2020 17:27

Thank you everyone! Won't try the GP just getting through to them is a nightmare that I'll only do if I have to.

I'll ring and ask for ABs and if they won't then I'll ring 111.

OP posts:
MillyMollyMardy · 09/08/2020 17:28

bonkers

worriedwellworrier · 09/08/2020 17:31

Whilst I hugely sympathise with you and not sure of the solution it is frustrating that the poor GP is seen as the answer to everything. Need a new boiler? See your GP. Bullying- see your GP...
Your GP is neither trained nor indemnified to treat dental issues. You wouldn’t ask your dentist to sort your smear or your sore foot so why ask your GP to sort your tooth?
I would ask the dentist what they suggest as an option, it’s a really rubbish situation and I hope you get sorted.

PaternosterLoft · 09/08/2020 17:31

We had an ordinary check up at the dentist this week and had a temp check on the forehead and we were all 35-36 deg. Receptionist was very cheerful about it. So you might just get away with it if you cool yourself down before you got there.

QueenOfPain · 09/08/2020 17:41

Well yeah. 35 - 36 is perfectly normal, if not slight on the cool side of things so the receptionist was right to be cheerful about for the purposes that she was checking.

OP rocking up with a temp of 38.1 was never going to work though.

Elsa8 · 09/08/2020 17:47

I have had antibiotics for a dental issue prescribed by a GP before under bad circumstances (no regular practice, dental phobic, hideous pain). They did prescribe them though obviously I needed a dentist when it was under control. I imagine a GP would have no issue prescribing them under these circumstances! Hope you feel better soon.

QueenOfPain · 09/08/2020 17:52

Those are exceptional circumstances where the GP might opt to take the risk as the benefits to the patient are clearly evident and defensible!

In the OP’s case she can just contact her dentist and ask for a prescription.

Mummyoflittledragon · 09/08/2020 18:13

Agree with getting AB. Then double up on paracetamol and ibuprofen once it’s under control.

Original poster
ToothHurting · 09/08/2020 18:19

@Mummyoflittledragon

Agree with getting AB. Then double up on paracetamol and ibuprofen once it’s under control.
Can't take ibuprofen, but I will ask for codiene in a seperate tablet and alternate that with paracetamol.
OP posts:
Shitfuckoh · 09/08/2020 18:40

I feel your pain OP, literally!
I've had issues with 1 of my teeth for the last week or so but woke up this morning to it feeling swollen & there's (slight) swelling in my cheek.
I'm not registered with a dentist though & I do have a phobia of them Sad

I suspect I'm going to be facing the same issue as you, perhaps more so due to not being registered!
I hope you get sorted ASAP.

Couchbettato · 09/08/2020 18:41

My partner rang 111 and spoke to the clinician who prescribed antibiotics for collection to a late night pharmacy for his bloody persistent wisdom tooth infection. No dentist would see him either until he got his infection under control.

eeyore228 · 09/08/2020 18:44

Op you can buy over the counter co-codamol so you’ll get paracetamol and codeine together.

Nacreous · 09/08/2020 18:48

I think I would take painkillers and then wipe my forehead down with a cool cloth immediately prior to entering the dentist, assuming it's a forehead one not an ear one.

Original poster
ToothHurting · 09/08/2020 18:55

@eeyore228

Op you can buy over the counter co-codamol so you’ll get paracetamol and codeine together.
That’s what I’m taking at the moment
OP posts:
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