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Children's health

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Original poster

Just been to dentist with DS1 (4) and told have to wait until after half term for a filling and then with local anaesthetic - is this normal??

20 replies

sylar · 08/09/2009 18:26

Surely not. We've noticed one of his top teeth has decay and it clearly needs a filling. He's only 4 and filling with a local rather than a general is going to freak him out I'm sure.

And is it normal to have to wait so long?

And how on earth do you spell anaesthetci anyway?

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Original poster

sylar · 08/09/2009 18:27

not anaesthecti obviously

OP posts:

southeastastra · 08/09/2009 18:30

lol don't worry about the spelling!

my ds had one done there and then when he needed it, no anesthetic at all.

is there alot of decay?

Original poster

sylar · 08/09/2009 19:02

A reasonable amount I think. Its one of the top back ones and we didn't notice until I had a really good look but it is clearly grey under the surface.

I can't believe the wait, its ridiculous.

OP posts:

EldonAve · 08/09/2009 19:04

I don't think it's normal to have to wait

My 4 year old had them done without anaesthetic
The dentist would have done them there and then but I had younger DC with me

Original poster

sylar · 08/09/2009 19:09

I did have DS2 with me but then expected him to give us an appointment within the next two weeks.

Might call in the morning and put my foot down.

OP posts:

cory · 09/09/2009 07:50

Depends on how bad it is if they think it's better to wait or not. Hard for us to tell.

If it were me I wouldn't want him to run the risks of a general anaesthetic for something as minor as a filling. If the dentist is nice and competent it shouldn't be too bad.

Sagacious · 09/09/2009 08:08

dd (5)needed a filling (tiny whole) it was done after about 4 weeks (very busy dentist) but no injections needed .. he used a suction thing to clean it out then stuck some sort of putty in and fixed it with a blue light (co..eee arn't I the technical one)

He did say if it wasn't a simple filling/significant decay she might have had to go to a specialist childrens dental hospital.

I'd ask TBH.

WowOoo · 09/09/2009 08:11

Could you not get an emergency appointment?

I had to do this. you have to wait, but if he's in pain they'll see him sooner.

What would you want a general anaesthetic for? If he gets scared it will at least encourage him -and you- to really look after his back teeth and brush properly.

MaryBS · 09/09/2009 08:28

I've just switched back to an independent dentist (who sees my children on the NHS) because of treatment (or lack of) like this. The costs are virtually the same as the NHS but the service is SO much better!

cory · 09/09/2009 08:32

Apart from the risks, general anaesthetics do tend to have quite nasty side effects: when dd came round after hers (aged 11) she was sick and shaking for hours afterwards. Not something you'd put a child through unless absolutely necessary.

NotPlayingAnyMore · 09/09/2009 08:41

Has the dentist offered a temporary filling in the meantime?

Do you have a local NHS emergency dental clinic? Your doctors surgery should have a local number for them if so.

No, a general anaesthetic won't be pleasant for him, but it is overall the lesser of two evils compared to a general.

thehairybabysmum · 09/09/2009 09:04

I think im right in saying that dentists are no longer allowed to give a general anaesthetic...a child died a few years ago if i recall correctly.

nickschick · 09/09/2009 09:10

My youngest ds has a back tooth that has needed filling several times - the dentist simply cleans it and fills it,occasionally it has fallen out but within 20 mins of phoning the dentist Im usually seen or have an appointment within the hour.

Ours is a super busy NHS dentist but its FAB!!

He wont drill it even tho the filling would possibly stay in better if he did as he says when they are small a drill is scarey and he needs his job lol.

Ds will be 9 on monday!!

thehairybabysmum · 09/09/2009 09:10

story here

nickschick · 09/09/2009 09:10

And ds1 had 7 baby teeth removed at 15 with only a small local.

Ewe · 09/09/2009 09:14

Unless he is pain with it then there is no real reason why it needs to be rushed through as I understand it. Local is totally normal and as others have said, not even necessary in many cases.

EldonAve · 09/09/2009 18:15

but why wait over 8 weeks?

Northernlurker · 09/09/2009 18:24

Why would you want your child to have a general when a local will do? The wait is 8 weeks because dentists are very busy and I expect you need a 1/2 hour appointment and that's when the next one is.

Am loving the fact though that you're all cross with the dentist instead of beating yourself up about him needing a filling at all. When dd1 needed one I was distraught and wept on and on about it - out of hearing. In her hearing I just forbade them from eating jellytots ever again!

EleanoraBuntingCupcake · 09/09/2009 18:28

if he isn't in pain what is the big deal, and you are nutter for wanting your child to have a general

Sagacious · 09/09/2009 18:29

I'm not cross with dentists.

dd has been banned from drinking squash and sweets.

I was mortified.

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