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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to think the emergency dentist should have taken me?

20 replies

Majora · 20/07/2017 15:59

Massive hole in my tooth warrants an emergency in my eyes - I couldn't get to my actual dentist because it's in another county. Complicated, but essentially I'm spending time at home as a break from Uni and going back in September, so changing dentists now just to change back again in Sept would be a huge waste of time for everyone involved and going to my dentist in that county would cost more than going private (which is what I've had to do and I'm very lucky to have parents that have helped me with a payment plan for it, because I don't have 2 pennies to rub together right now), but...

Why doesn't the emergency dentist take emergency patients if they're registered elsewhere? This is quite literally THE emergency NHS dentist in the area and when I rang they said because I was registered to a dentist (no specifics about area were asked) I should go to them. I said I couldn't and they couldn't see me, they said I should talk to my dentist because they have a duty to get me seen even if I'm in a different area. Alright. Rang my dentist, they don't have a dentist in this area they're affliated with that I can go see. Had to give up on the emergency dentist, but it took my parents asking THEIR dentist - my old dentist - to get me in even as a private patient.

£218 is also completely unreasonable for 2 fillings in my eyes, but that's my own fault for having to go private and I'm gonna be screwed when my parents can no longer just help me with money like that, I know that for sure. I feel ridiculously guilty at how much they've had to pay because of my shitty health, but anyway.

Do emergency dentists really not take on emergency patients? My dad's been to see the same dentist in an emergency despite being registered at a different one so I'm just highly confused.

OP posts:

Original poster

Majora · 20/07/2017 16:02

Should add I called my dentist first to ask for assistance and they said I should call emergency in my area after we worked out the cost of me travelling there for both the checkup and the appointment I would need because apparently it just can't be all done in one go. I guess it's understandable as there could be bigger problems than just a hole in the tooth.

OP posts:

DeadMorose · 20/07/2017 16:10

I don't think it's considered an emergency. Dental emergency is severe pain, infection or broken tooth with sharp edges. Stuff like that.
Hole in the tooth takes time to appear and if you've waited so long(assuming you don't have pain), you can wait longer.

Original poster

Majora · 20/07/2017 16:14

It honestly appeared overnight - or it seemed to because yeah, there was sudden pain and I was like "oh, giant hole there". It's at the back and I don't generally poke around my teeth a lot. Dentist said it was because of a broken filling/filling in disrepair but it wasn't something I noticed until it was a major issue. They just refused to see me, even with the pain and the giant hole on the basis that I was registered elsewhere.

I guess I thought it would be obvious there was pain plus sensitivity with a giant hole haha

OP posts:

SteppingOnToes · 20/07/2017 16:14

A hole is not an emergency

Chinnychinnychinnychib · 20/07/2017 16:18

I think 'dental emergency' is more your 'unbelievable pain/abscess/trauma' kind of scenario rather than a broken filling.

leighdinglady · 20/07/2017 16:21

Having a tooth knocked out is an example of an emergency or an infection. A hole might be painful, but not dangerous or in need of being fixed right there and then

ShapelyBingoWing · 20/07/2017 16:23

They refused to see you because as far as dentistry is concerned, that isn't an emergency.

Original poster

Majora · 20/07/2017 16:25

I understand what you're all saying, but the issue wasn't with what my 'emergency' was, it was with the fact that they acknowledged they would take me for it if I wasn't registered elsewhere.

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 20/07/2017 16:26

DH snapped a tooth in half. He attended the emergency dentist.
DS lost half a tooth. Half a baby tooth was left embedded in the gum. Again emergency dentist saw him.
Filling? Not that much of an emergency. If it was really painful couldn't you have gone back to your dentist?

Anniegetyourgun · 20/07/2017 16:27

The most an emergency dentist would have done for you is a temporary filling to cover up the hole until you could get it seen to, plus perhaps antibiotics if there was an infection. They're just there to cobble you up and keep you going until you can get to a dentist, they're not supposed to carry out any kind of permanent treatment. That's why they only charge the minimum NHS consultation rate.

WatchingFromTheWings · 20/07/2017 16:28

I'm in Wales and when I needed an out of hours emergency dentist I was sent to one out of the area (but not a massive distance) by mistake. The dentist almost refused to see me but did so in the end due to the obvious amount of pain I was in. Think it's just part of the rules within the NHS.

ShapelyBingoWing · 20/07/2017 16:30

it was with the fact that they acknowledged they would take me for it if I wasn't registered elsewhere.

Yes, but in this scenario they give you a temporary filling and send you off to register elsewhere. They don't just do the work.

In fact, I'm surprised you didn't ask the private dentist to do just that and then get the work done at your registered dentist when you were back in your area. Would have saved your parents a small fortune.

Rememberallball · 20/07/2017 16:32

In my area emergency dentist appointments at a surgery you aren't registered at are only available by contacting 111 and being referred to whichever surgery is 'on call' for your particular area that day. One of their first questions is "are you registered at ANY dental surgery?" And, if yes even out of area, you are advised to contact them as soon as possible.

As for my own dental surgery, I was seen as an emergency yesterday after a hole appeared in my tooth over the weekend - this was the earliest I could be seen and it was only because u had pain and couldn't eat; and the treatment has only been temporary with full treatment to take place in a month's time so I do sympathise unfortunately, unlike gp care when away from your registered address, they can refuse you nhs treatment away from your usual surgery.

Original poster

Majora · 20/07/2017 16:34

All I wanted was something temporary to tide me over until September. I wouldn't have minded waiting a week or so for an appointment but there was no other way to get one because I rang around every dentist in the area and nobody would take on a temporary paying patient, not even on private. Like I said, it took my parents asking the actual dentist to wedge me in as a favour because I used to be a patient there yonks ago from a baby.

I did need antibiotics because it had developed into a minor infection by the time I got to the dentist today, but I'm not sure if it was one at the time, just painful and sensitive. My main issue is where are you meant to go if you have a dental problem and can't get to your actual dentist and it doesn't warrant an emergency dentist? I knew about this 2 months ago when i first started trying to get an appointment so I would have been waiting 4 months to get an appointment at my dentist in Uni-Land.

I mean, maybe I should have just turned up on the doorstep at 7am and waited for them to open their doors.

OP posts:

Original poster

Majora · 20/07/2017 16:35

I'm a massive idiot apparently. I dunno why that didn't occur to me, but I panic on the spot and I just want it sorted at this point. A few days of antibiotics and an appointment in a week or so. I'm gonna ask about what all the costs mean so I know what I'm (my parents) are actually paying for.

OP posts:

MackerelOfFact · 20/07/2017 16:48

it was with the fact that they acknowledged they would take me for it if I wasn't registered elsewhere.

Because it wasn't an emergency! It's just that if they were your usual practice, they could have fitted you in for a short notice appointment, or registered you as a new patient and done the same.

If it had been a genuine dental emergency as defined by their NHS contract (pain, infection or trauma) they would have been more likely to have found you an emergency slot. But emergency slots and emergency fees are for emergencies!

MyPepper · 20/07/2017 16:54

It surprising that there isn't a similar system than there is with a GP.
With a GP! If yyou're are away in hols somethwrere, you can still see a GP where you are. You don't have to wait until you are back home if you have let's say tonsillitis. And you dint need to go to A&E either.

So why is it that you can't do that with an NHS dentist??

Shootfirstaskquestionslater · 20/07/2017 17:00

A hole in your tooth isn't an emergency. I have half a lose baby tooth that am dealing with myself with corsodil mouth wash because I had gum disease and that's why it's lose am not running to the dentist over it that would be a waste of my time and their time and I don't have the money to pay for the dentist it's cheaper to treat it myself and if it gets any worse then I'll give in and go the dentist.

Original poster

Majora · 20/07/2017 17:10

Sorry I didn't put it in my OP, but there WAS pain. like I said, I did think it would be obvious with a big hole in my tooth it would be accompanied with pain. Pain is a daily part of my life so everything is painful for me, it's not something I really think about! (Not being dramatic, just that I have chronic illnesses and stuff on top of MH part of why I took the time out of uni to try and get better but it didn't work)

I don't think I would have been as bothered if they told me it wasn't an emergency and not to come, but they said it was an emergency, they just wouldn't deal with it or offer me any temporary help and it was down to my dentist to do that.

Maybe I was BU and I get and accept that (I can be a bit sensitive about health issues!) but if this happens in the future, honestly what do I actually do? I have a lot of tooth problems that creep up on me and if I can't access my dentist OR the emergency one, is there any kind of protocol for that besides just letting your mouth rot?

I'd love to just leave infections and have them heal but I'm now on immunosuppressants. I wasn't at the time so not relevant info but it's not really a case now of "just let it heal itself you're being a pansy" or something.

OP posts:

Chinnychinnychinnychib · 20/07/2017 18:55

Given your history of tooth problems:general health/immunosuppression then it would probably be wise to register with a local dentist whilst you're taking a break from Uni.
I am surprised that, given your immunosuppression, they didn't see you as an emergency-surely you should have been, considering there was infection, and therefore a risk of endocarditis- perhaps a dentist will come along and correct me if I am wrong, but that seems poor to me.

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