Another one about dentists

[IOnceDreamedAboutFairies]

I've seen a fair few posts about dentists, but I need to vent (and am probably being U).

Ive been registered as a private patient for a long time (since they told me I couldn't be seen as NHS patient any longer).
Long story short, i had to have a root canal re done, which was all carried out last summer, and crown- expensive work so really hoped this was it. (Had to have it redone as a bit of the previous filling chipped away- didn't have crown initially).
The root canal tooth has started playing up. The pain is getting worse and now I'm worried it's re infected.
I've been trying to get an appointment, initially I was happy to book check up, but couldn't be seen until mid august.
Since Thursday, I've called every morning for urgent appointment, and they've told me there aren't any available. Either there aren't any dentists in, or just the case of not many appointments.

I don't know what to do right now. I'm anxious that things are going to get worse, and I have a holiday booked soon

Would it be a bad idea to ring around other dental practices to try and get seen?

Just to add, calling the emergency dentist isn't working either- they seem to have far too many patients and of course those with far worse symptoms need to be seen.

You can be seen at more than one private dentist, the first one won't know or care.

If I were you I'd ask for their policy on seeing registered patients for emergencies, places I've worked its always been a policy of seeing registered patients in pain within 24 hours.

Thanks for that, I will call tomorrow

Oops posted too soon

Will call tomorrow and ask them re:emergency appointments and their policy.

I've managed to get an appointment for Monday (last minute cancellation I believe).

I was going to call around after one last attempt.

you can be seen by any private dentist that’s perfectly fine
however every practice must by law have an out of hours set up for their patients and should have some way of dealing with ‘in pains’ on each day ( our dentists have a paging system for evenings and weekends and time set aside everyday for on the day emergencies)
id say what you’ve encountered isn’t good enough

in your shoes Id be emailing the practice manager wanting know exactly why that’s not happened in your case