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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

NHS dentist to think this isn't good enough?

27 replies

TiredMamOfTwo · 17/10/2023 08:43

My ds7 is type one diabetic so obviously needs to be able to eat to keep his blood sugars at a healthy level & keep ketones away.
Yesterday he was at school and hurt his tooth, it wasn't till he got home (and dentist was shut) that I was made aware. He tried dinner and started screaming in pain.
As a result he's not eaten since yesterday lunchtime and I've had to stop his sugars going low with milkshakes as he's refusing to eat.

I ring the dentist the minute they open and they've told me they have no emergency appointments as the dentist has blocked off the appointments (and was the first one in the Qeue!) even though I've explained he's a diabetic and if there's an infection brewing it could put him in hospital if he's not treated straight away.
They're now saying to ring again tomorrow, he's had the day off school as he's in to much pain to go. He's refusing pain killers too.

AIBU to think this is bloody outrageous and that dentists should see children (specially medical complex children) the same day like GP surgeries do?
I've also tried 111 who are saying to keep trying with his dentist as there's not much they can do for him. 🙄🤬

OP posts:
MintJulia · 17/10/2023 08:47

Dentists are private contractors and you don't know what is happening in your dentist's life. Maybe they have sickness or an emergency of their own.

Have you tried other dentists in the area? Asked the receptionist for alternative surgeries that they can recommend? I'd call every dentist on the list and keep pushing.

PandyMoanyMum · 17/10/2023 09:04

Yep that is bloody outrageous. There should be a way for the NHS to sort this even if the individual dentist has no capacity.

RedHelenB · 17/10/2023 09:07

He needs to have painkillers though, and then he may be able to eat soft fo is until his appointment..

JamieFrasersBitOnTheSide · 17/10/2023 09:09

Does your local hospital not do emergency dental appointments? DD had a friend visiting last week and her friend got the most awful toothache, she called the emergency dental NHS line and was seen that afternoon. We’re in Scotland though, I’m not sure if that makes a difference.

Possimpible · 17/10/2023 09:10

Do you have a diabetic nurse specialist/doctor/helpline you could contact? Sometimes a HCP can wangle things a patient/carer can't

user1471475134 · 17/10/2023 09:13

Can you afford to see a private dentist? My son had a toothache I had to put it on my credit card but he was seen the same day, I know you shouldn't have to but sometimes you can't wait, dental pain is just awful

Original poster
TiredMamOfTwo · 17/10/2023 09:18

I've already asked the private side of his dentist if they had any appointments and they do not. Nowhere else local has any either (I live very rural).

his diabetic team are going to ring the dentist and explain his situation and see if they'll make an exception, if not are going to speak to the emergency dental team at the hospital and see if they can get him in today as his ketones are rising. 😭 can see him being admitted by the end of today if it's not sorted!

He is refusing painkillers, I've tried tablets, calpol, neurofen he's refusing it all.

OP posts:
Coffeerum · 17/10/2023 09:22

AIBU to think this is bloody outrageous and that dentists should see children (specially medical complex children) the same day like GP surgeries do?

Even a GP isn't going to guarantee seeing a 7 year old on the same day if they don't think it is a priority.

It isn't their fault your child is in paid and refusing pain killers.

Princesspollyyy · 17/10/2023 09:23

Hmm.. if he was in that much pain surely he would agree so take the painkillers? 🤷🏻‍♀️ I'm not saying he's not, but if he chooses not to take the painkillers then he can't complain that it hurts? What does he expect?

Princesspollyyy · 17/10/2023 09:23

Why is he refusing pain killers?

RedHelenB · 17/10/2023 09:24

So would concentrate on getting the painkillers in him, what if he doesn't co operate with the dentist?

maddening · 17/10/2023 09:27

Can he have oralgel in the meantime so he can at least eat?

Can you sort a milkshake that he can drink through. A straw to sort his ketones out?

If you are worried about infection can he swill with anti bacterial mouthwashes?

Princesspollyyy · 17/10/2023 09:31

If he's non compliant with Paul relief, you could put the calpol or whatever pain relief you're using in his milkshake?

Princesspollyyy · 17/10/2023 09:32

Pain relief.. sorry my fingers are freezing lol

strawberry2017 · 17/10/2023 09:34

Ring 111 they will be able to get you an emergency appointment

catbla2957 · 17/10/2023 09:34

Don't be judgy. Some children really won't take pain relief. It's a massive issue for one of my kids and it was for my husband as a child. He still struggles as a adult

TomatoSandwiches · 17/10/2023 09:44

Coffeerum · 17/10/2023 09:22

AIBU to think this is bloody outrageous and that dentists should see children (specially medical complex children) the same day like GP surgeries do?

Even a GP isn't going to guarantee seeing a 7 year old on the same day if they don't think it is a priority.

It isn't their fault your child is in paid and refusing pain killers.

A diabetic child with rising ketones is about as priority as you can get.
It's shocking and disappointing how very uneducated lots of people are about the seriousness of childhood diabetes.

mrsbyers · 17/10/2023 09:51

Can you add some calpol to a flavoured milkshake ?

Princesspollyyy · 17/10/2023 09:54

strawberry2017 · 17/10/2023 09:34

Ring 111 they will be able to get you an emergency appointment

Did you read the OP? She already tried that.

AnnaMagnani · 17/10/2023 09:59

Honestly just take him in to hospital. Not taking painkillers sounds like the ketones talking.

Original poster
TiredMamOfTwo · 17/10/2023 10:06

Princesspollyyy · 17/10/2023 09:23

Hmm.. if he was in that much pain surely he would agree so take the painkillers? 🤷🏻‍♀️ I'm not saying he's not, but if he chooses not to take the painkillers then he can't complain that it hurts? What does he expect?

Believe me he was screaming at the top of his lungs to get him into the dentist last night, he's definitely in pain with it

OP posts:
MrsCarson · 17/10/2023 10:08

I'd go to A&E and hope that between the diabetic specialist and Oral surgeons they would be able to do something.

Oinkypig · 17/10/2023 10:10

The dentist really should see your child but to be honest if he won’t take painkillers it’s very unlikely he will be able to cooperate for the dentist to do any treatment to get him out of pain. Even if the diabetic nurse gets an appointment agreed it’s likely to be a referral on to another service which will have a long waiting list.

If he gets admitted due to his diabetes being uncontrolled unless there is a dentist/oral surgeon/maxfac in the hospital or attached to the hospital with access to theatre lists (which is unlikely, fewer and fewer hospitals do as services get centralised) they will stabilise him and advise to see your dentist for treatment and onward referral. I’m not trying to frighten you, just prepare you that it’s unlikely to be a quick solution. I don’t know how dental services are in your area so I hope I am wrong and he gets sorted soon.

This is one of the many frustrating issues in the NHS, your child might end up using a lot of resource because the small amount of resource to get his tooth sorted isn’t available when needed.

Original poster
TiredMamOfTwo · 17/10/2023 10:11

Diabetic team have managed to get his dentist to see him in a hour, thank goodness they spoke some sense into them and they magically had an cancelled appointment come available.

Hoping it's not a tooth that needs to come out 🤞🏻

OP posts:
Original poster
TiredMamOfTwo · 17/10/2023 10:13

Coffeerum · 17/10/2023 09:22

AIBU to think this is bloody outrageous and that dentists should see children (specially medical complex children) the same day like GP surgeries do?

Even a GP isn't going to guarantee seeing a 7 year old on the same day if they don't think it is a priority.

It isn't their fault your child is in paid and refusing pain killers.

A diabetic with rising ketones is an emergency. It will kill them in a matter of days if left untreated.
Please educate yourself on diabetes type one.

OP posts: