What happens if you have a dental emergency?

[Bennee35]

My DS who is 3 has ASD. He's not registered with a dentist and has never been to one. We've always struggled to brush his teeth as he has significant sensory issues and hates having his teeth brushed.

Over the weekend he has been crying and holding the left side of his face and saying that his teeth hurt. There is clearly something causing him discomfort as he is barely eating and actually asked for "medicine" to stop his tooth hurting (something he also hates doing).

Today I've been ringing around trying to get advice from a dentist as obviously this is the worst time possible for DS to get a tooth ache. Most dental surgeries have cancelled all their appointments and are only consulting over the phone, although there are no slots available for this today.

Does anyone know if 3 year olds possibly still have teeth coming through, the molars perhaps? I've noticed blood when brushing his teeth so I'm hoping that perhaps it's just a tooth coming through and nothing that requires a dentist to look at.

I've been giving DS Calpol to ease the pain but I'm close to running out and there isn't any left on the shelves of any local supermarkets.
I
don't really know what the point of this post is, I'm just starting to get really worried as I imagine DS would need to be sedated for anyone to look in his mouth and I don't know how that would even be possible given the current circumstances.

I work at a dentist, they’re shut and only seeing patients for emergencies. Over the phone it can be quite difficult to determine what an emergency is but if your son is in pain, they should see him really. Let me ask one of the dentists and I’ll get back to you regarding this.

My appointment was cancelled last week but my son also lost one of his molars and fearing infection I asked what to do and they said to call if that happens. Shouldn't be a problem.

We have been seeing dental emergencies with coronavirus in the community hospital today. They still have to be treated like anyone else in an emergency so the dental staff have all got their suits on and then cleaners ready to deep clean waiting outside.
I'm sure it's fine for him to be seen. Have a ring round.

Thank you.

As my DS has communication difficulties it's difficult to determine what exactly is going on. I don't want for him to physically go to a dental practise if it's only a tooth coming through or something non emergency.
At the same time I am concerned that it could be decay as we have always had trouble brushing his teeth and as he has a restricted diet he eats a lot of yogurts and sugary things.
What a nightmare!