A&E for antibiotics?? Going on holiday. Nobody else can see me

[Yumdoritos]

I don't know what else to do. My cheek is swollen up due to some dental issues. I have a referral to a specialised dentist but that isn't until March. I called my regular dentist who doesn't have any appointments for 2 weeks. I called NHS 111 who said no dentists are available in my area and to keep trying my normal dentist. I made and went to a GP appointment who said I need to go back to the dentist...

I just need antibiotics to take the swelling down as I most likely have an infection somewhere (this has happened before a few months ago)

I'm going abroad on holiday on Wednesday!!! What am I meant to do? I need to get antibiotics before then because what if it gets worse while I am there? AIBU to go to A&E for this? I went there before when it was swollen as I couldn't even see because it had swollen up near my eye, they sent me to their emergency GP who is next to the hospital and I got antib's from him. Am assuming I could do the same this time? Argh I am stressing out so much and can't look forward to my holiday :(

I can imagine, mrsmorton

OP I don't want to worry you but if you are going be flying, the pressure difference on the plane could well trigger more pain. In your position I would cancel the holiday and claim on my travel insurance. As others have hinted, perhaps you should review your priorities.
Bear in mind that ABs are being restricted now because of the growing resistance problem.

You won't be able to claim without evidence from a dentist or doctor.

I understand that. She can go to the dentist when he's available and if it's a genuine problem then he'll write it.

I was not suggesting an immediate threat to the OP's life, just pointing out that dental infections can become serious.

Sorry you're uncomfortable, OP, but YABU - you wouldn't ask a plumber to rewire your house, so why expect a doctor (whether in A&E or GP) to treat your teeth? Antibiotics aren't always the correct treatment for an abscess - you really need to be properly assessed by a dentist. Lots of A&E departments have a senior doctor doing the initial assessment and triage anyway - unless you were very unwell, with high temperatures and signs of sepsis, they'd probably just turn you away at that point and advise you to get an emergency dentist appointment. Where do you live? Somebody on this thread may be able to signpost you to your local emergency dental service.

Dear MrsNorton et al

NHS dentists are obliged by their contract (in the same way as GPs) to deal with immediately necessary treatment cases as judged by a clinician. There is a while separate category that covers this under band 1 treatment.

The UDAs the practice have do not matter and whatever massaging goes on by dentists to give the impression otherwise, this is an absolute legal minimum that any primary care contractor working with the NHS signs up to.

Emergency and normal care to maimtain oral health within clinical competence is covered and expected (that is you can't offer to do it privately while claiming it's not available on the NHS). I suggest you reread the contract while thanking your lucky stars that no one savvy or involved in primary care commissioning has accessed your services.

Hi, ex dental nurse here. Go to your own dentist asap. Tell the receptionist your problem and ask nicely if the dentist can write you a repeat prescription for a problem that has recurred. They will be able to see from your notes that it has happened before. It really should not be a problem for the dentist to give you a new prescription. If they refuse (they shouldn't) then you may have to sit and wait for a cancellation. Good luck, keep us up to date.

becles you are only sort of correct. We are ONLY contractually obliged to see a patient, if we have seen them in the last 2 months. Sorry that you are mis-informed.

Oops, didn't realise that this had gotten so many more replies! I've been doing salt water rinses all weekend. Feels like the swelling has gone down somewhat but still is swollen slightly. Still barely any pain, sometimes mild annoying pain but a single painkiller will stop that.

Regarding "can't afford a private dentist though going abroad on holiday" comments, I am going to Germany alone to see my DP who had to temporarily relocate there for work. I haven't seen him in 4 months and the cost of a return flight was about £40 (cheaper than people have said that a private dentist will cost), not that it's relevant to my actual OP though...

My plan still stands to just call my dentist on Monday morning and ask for an emergency appointment, if no luck then I will try other dentists in the area. If still no luck due to them not taking it seriously because no pain, I guess I will have to try a walk in clinic or something. I know doctors aren't trained for dental issues but I'm wanting a (rushed) temporary solution at the moment and not a permanent fix, that can wait until I'm back

Ok I am not in the UK but here we can contact A&E who have emergency Dentists on call and will pass on the contact no need to actually go to A&E. Any chance the NHS have similar, it might be worth a ph call. An other option here is to try ringing a dental training school, they are often looking for patients, again is that an option in the UK?

I'm glad the problem is getting sorted with time and simple painkillers. I think we all empathise with dental pain.

Have you told the receptionist about the swelling, the intermittent pain and the fact that you have had an infection / swelling in the same place before ?

I got on a plane with a bit of occasional pain, the flight made it much worse and I ended up with my whole face swollen and in agony. And spent my holiday at the dentist.

YumDoritos - it's not relevant whether you just want a "rushed temporary solution" - doctors aren't qualified or indemnified to treat dental issues AT ALL, temporarily or permanently, so attending A&E would be a grossly inappropriate use of NHS resources.

Go to a private dentist. You'll have to pay a fair whack but they can usually fit you in quickly.

Sadly if it's something that can wait, I guess going on holiday doesn't make it into an emergency so you have to rely on a cancellation or goodwill, or go private.

I hope you get sorted out soon.

Go to your own dentist asap. Tell receptionist that this has happened before, ask for a repeat prescription or you will wait till the dentist has a gap in appointments to have a quick look. A GP will not give you anything, you must go to a dentist. Good luck (Ex dental nurse)

becles you made a typo, emergency treatment is band 4. Same price tho.