Will a dentist see me at the moment if I have a cold?

[Missanneshirley]

I have an unfortunate combination of a stinking cold and a freshly broken tooth. I know there's limits to what the dentists can do at the moment but my tooth has snapped right in half, I'm really hoping they'll look and at least advise. But i have a bad cold. Will they see me do you think?

Speak with the practice. The guidance on this (pre-Covid) is at assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/585584/RTI_infection_control_guidance.pdf. Ironically, they may be better placed to see you now than with Covid, because they now should have the PPE required to see you safely.

I suspect if you're not in pain, they may suggest deferring care til your cold has resolved. They may also want you to have a negative covid test. But speak to the practice.

(Should read "Ironically, they may be better placed to see you now than BEFORE Covid". Sigh.)

Mine wouldn't. They specifically ask things like "do you have a cough?" "Do you have a temperature?" prior to the appointment and they won't see you if you show any signs of being unwell.

My dentist wouldn't let you in the door.
Ring and ask.

I’m not sure they’ll see you at all.

I’ve had a broken tooth since near the beginning of lockdown - one of my top front ones got broken in half horizontally and looks awful - but they still won’t see me as they say it’s not urgent. I am so looking forward to getting it fixed as soon as they’ll let me!

I’ve been twice - impressions for a new night guard, then a fit appointment. I had a call on the morning of each appointment going through a checklist of questions, and my temperature taken at the door. Any cough or temp was a no.

Throughout proper lockdown my surgery had a dentist in each day doing phone and video consults, which they then triaged to an urgent care hub if needed. Hopefully your surgery has similar? (When I was in - both times - there was a dentist on the phones as well as at least my own dentist seeing patients, plus the receptionist taking calls.)

I don't think you will be seen (sorry). I've been seen as an emergency and they call before you go with a check list of questions.
I broke 2 teeth next to each other. One wore down so much in lockdown that it's not savable. The others broken too much to save. Im getting both removed this week then a "denture". I feel I've aged 20 plus years.

My dentist absolutely wouldn’t.

Phone up and ask though.

I wouldn’t! Going back to work soon and people with colds will absolutely be rebooked.
You can make an appointment for a couple of weeks time though?

No. Not a at the moment
But tbh we wouldn’t have been happy anyway.

If you’re I’ll stay at home

Thanks all!
I have no cough, no temp, just a head cold. I'm a teacher so realistically will have a low level cold on and off all winter.
I'll call them and see what they suggest! I've jammed it back together for now but it's bound to go at some point then all the insides will be exposed (OUCH)

My dentist wouldn’t I don’t think. I went last week and they have increased their symptoms to include: sore throat, headache, lethargy as well as cough, temp, loss of taste/smell. Interestingly my DS football training and mini matches have resumed under the same symptoms.

You'll be lucky to be seen even without a cold. I have a tooth which has totally broken off in one side and most of filling has come out. I was told yesterday to buy a temporary repair kit, dentist would phone (still waiting) and they may put me on a waiting list for emergencies, currently a few weeks apparently.