To think there’s no NHS root canal dentist for kids in our borough?

[UserNMCHNG]

Hoping someone with experience of this will stumble across my post.

For the past 5 weeks, we’ve been referred round London for our DS (14) who needs a root canal.

Front tooth (had tooth trauma two years ago). The tooth is matured and could be treated like an adult tooth. There’s no need for a kids dentist but do to being underage DS will have to stay in the kids services.

What he needs is an endodontist / root canal specialist IMVHO

First we were referred to the community pediatrics dentist who said she’s not really done many root canals, hasn’t got the equipment and specialises in dental anxiety patients. She offered to speak to her team lead if she can do it.

Honestly I lost confidence in her being able to do a root canal.

The local Dental Hospital was our next point we got referred to…they said they can’t do it.

AIBU to think that there are NHS endodontists in London who can treat a 14 year old with a mature tooth?

what now? Any input or advice is really appreciated.

I’m in Hertfordshire with exactly the same problem- with the added problem I have an autistic DS who will need sedation too! There are no facilities to take this on on the NHS 😞 privately it’s been costed at about 3k!

Sorry to hear that. You’re not alone.

Have you asked to be referred to the Eastman Dental? That’s exactly the kind of case they take on (I think)

There's a specialist service available in Herts

https://www.hct.nhs.uk/service-details/service/special-care-dental-service-58/

I know a few young people with ASD that have been referred (no idea of wait times tho - sorry)

Hope this helps

@UserNMCHNG who referred your DS to the community services, why can't your dentist treat the tooth? I would assume at 14 the root has finished forming. I'm not in London but I thought they have contracts for tier 2 endodontic providers. Will these not treat 14 year olds?
I agree that a community dental clinic is not usually equipped for root canal treatment. For referral into tier 2 services the root canal treatment needs to be of a certain complexity is it he doesn't meet them?

Your own general dentist should be capable of doing this if your DC is cooperative. Whats the reason for the referral ?