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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect the dentist to prescribe what I need?

25 replies

MagpieMama · 03/07/2014 17:19

I've just been to the dentist as I have a wisdom tooth infection (so painful, feel free to send lots of sympathy Wink).

The dentist said that I need antibiotics but as I'm breastfeeding he can't prescribe them and I need to phone my GP and ask them to write the prescription.

I know the antibiotics (Amoxicillin) are given to breastfeeding women as I've had them before.

The dentist said it's what I need but wants the GP to do the prescribing. AIBU to think it's a bit silly? Happy to have it explained to me if there's a good reason.

I've phoned my GP to request the prescription on behalf of the dentist as he asked and am waiting for a call back. Just seems like a waste of GP time and money!

OP posts:
sayporthcawl · 03/07/2014 17:22

GPs are able to prescribe more medication than dentists - my son has special needs and is allergic to some antibiotics when he had a tooth abcess recently the dentist had to refer him back to our gp.

FreeSpirit89 · 03/07/2014 17:22

Maybe it's quidelines and if he gives you them and you or baby have a reaction it's his career on the line.

Feel better soon

Original poster
MagpieMama · 03/07/2014 17:25

I know it's a medication that a dentist can prescribe, I just thought that if they're able to prescribe it and that it's an acceptable medication for a bfing mother than he should be able to prescribe it?

OP posts:
Iquitelikeapples · 03/07/2014 17:27

There are certain things we can/can't prescribe so in the case of patients with multiple allergies I have had to ask GP to prescribe before, but that's about twice in the last 10years.
We have access to exactly the same info re drugs safe in breastfeeding as the GPs so it shouldn't be that.
Only other reason I can think of is they're a private dentist & they're trying to do you a favour & get the antibiotics prescribed on the NHS so you don't have to pay if you're on maternity exemption?

KirjavaTheCat · 03/07/2014 17:29

My dentist won't prescribe me anything either, he's overly cautious but I suppose that's a good thing. In contrast, my GP regularly attempts to prescribe me non-BF compatible medications.

Original poster
MagpieMama · 03/07/2014 17:30

Nope NHS dentist!

OP posts:
Chippednailvarnish · 03/07/2014 17:31

Mmm, I needed antibiotics once but my dentist sent me to my GP. Then when I told a friend, who is a dentist. Apparently some dentists aren't allowed to prescribe drugs, because they have previously been disciplined for "drug related" issues...

Would love to hear another dentist confirm this as true!

Original poster
MagpieMama · 03/07/2014 17:33

That's a bit scary kirjava!
I've had this antibiotic whilst bfing due to an infection shortly after the birth.
I guess the dentist was just being overly cautious but it just seemed strange that he knew I could have it whilst bfing but wanted it to be the GP who prescribed it.

My only thought was maybe dentists don't prescribe to bfing mothers at all but that seemed a bit strange.

OP posts:
Iquitelikeapples · 03/07/2014 17:41

Nope, we're allowed to prescribe to anyone - including pregnant/breastfeeding mothers. I assume he just isn't confident & rather than educate himself is passing the buck.
What I always do for anyone not completely straight forward (even when I know it's fine) is look it up in the BNF (book that lists all drugs/interactions/if suitable for all sorts of different reasons) in front of them so we both know I've double checked and it's ok for them.
I know that naughty Drs do get their prescribing limited, I don't think I've heard of it happening to us. Our governing body is a bit harsher than theirs & we'd just get struck off!

Original poster
MagpieMama · 03/07/2014 17:59

The doctor phoned back and has done the prescription for me. She didn't sound surprised that the dentist wanted her to do it so I guess it happens quite frequently!

OP posts:
Laurel1979 · 03/07/2014 18:42

As a GP this is one of the things that we find incredibly frustrating! In the BNF there is a clear guide to dental prescribing, and there is no reason why a dentist could not prescribe Amoxicillin for a pregnant woman. In fact, the GMC has made it clear that doctors should not be treating dental problems, and our medical indemnity payments (which are already massive - I pay £7000 a year despite working part time) do not insure us to do this. Personally I wouldn't see a patient go without necessary antibiotics and would likely have issued the script if a dentist had seen the patient, but its such a waste of time and resources, not to mention inconvenience to the patient. Glad you got it sorted out though!

HippyPottyMouth · 03/07/2014 18:49

My dentist was happy to prescribe antibiotics to me, but was reluctant to remove the offending tooth even though it was virtually falling out by itself. In the end he checked in his book for anaesthetics compatible with breastfeeding and took the bloody thing out.

Iquitelikeapples · 03/07/2014 18:51

Laurel - on behalf of the less thorough members of my profession I apologise.

Soggysandpit · 03/07/2014 20:25

Your dentist is lazy and if I was your GP I'd be directing you back to him I'm afraid. No reason why he can't and if I prescribe I am taking the medico legal responsibility for something I'm not trained for. If you can, move dentists and tell him why.

LittleMisslikestobebythesea · 03/07/2014 20:29

I got a wisdom tooth infection when I was 8 months pregnant, I feel your pain. I was crying in pain and could only take paracetamol.

My dentist prescribed amoxicillin for me.

Hope you feel better soon Thanks

Original poster
MagpieMama · 03/07/2014 20:32

It wasn't actually my usual dentist (same practise though) as it was an emergency appointment.
I was concerned that the GP was just going to direct me back, but as I said, I got the impression that this happens a lot. She was very kind about it though. In her position I probably would've been quite irritated.
My lovely DH went to get the prescription from the GP for me, but because of all the faff, the pharmacy was closed by then so now have to wait for tomorrow with all my pain Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
MagpieMama · 03/07/2014 20:33

Thanks littlemiss, I've taken some ibuprofen but it still hurts!

OP posts:
LittleMisslikestobebythesea · 03/07/2014 20:34

There should be a 24 hour pharmacy I think, check in nhs website to see if there is one near you?

EverythingsDozy · 03/07/2014 20:36

I would have said that your GP should be prescribing your ABs because a dentist is for teeth, if you have other conditions (ie pregnancy!) then your GP should be dealing with them because they are a "whole body" doctor IYSWIM.
However, the more knowledgable on MN have said this isn't right!

Soggysandpit · 03/07/2014 20:40

Sorry everythingsdozy that's just rubbish, this is a commonly used antibiotic and the dentist is just as able to look it up as the doctor.

OP, I hope you are feeling better soon. PLEASE once your treatment is over make a formal complaint about the dentist. Your treatment has been delayed for 24 hours because he couldn't be bothered to look something up.

macdoodle · 03/07/2014 20:40

So Laurel you said your defence union won't cover you but you'd do it anyway. So if something untoward happened and you were sued what would you do? Why did you do it? Bah, I wouldn't have I'm afraid.

Laurel1979 · 03/07/2014 20:56

Macdoodle I try to avoid this type of situation by directing patients back to their dentist, or the local hospital emergency dental pain clinic. I work mostly in out of hours, and come across this type of request quite a lot. In these cases I usually prescribe analgesia (and no antibiotic) until they can see a dentist. If I receive a request like this I ask the patient to have their dentist ring or fax me a request for the prescription, which usually results in the dentist doing their own prescription. I have seen a couple of patients who present on a Friday night with acute dental problems, and as its virtually impossible locally to see a dentist over the weekend, I have prescribed on a couple of occasions, with the proviso that they arrange an urgent dental appointment for follow up. The GMC likely frown on this, but its difficult to leave a patient with an obvious infection untreated.

macdoodle · 03/07/2014 21:11

No it's not, the guidelines are perfectly clear.

EverythingsDozy · 03/07/2014 21:26

Like I said soggy - that is what I would have said but there are people on MN much more knowledgable than I on every this subject.

Mim78 · 03/07/2014 22:05

Next time tell him you are ff ing! (Only once you know the medicine you need is safe of course)

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