A general dentist question....

[SkinnyVanillaLatte]

I am unsure about the rules,so hope someone can help/explain as far as NHS dentists are concerned.

I have a tooth that I have been told needs extracting (probably) but as I am such a wuss I have to have it done under sedation.I have done nothing so far as it wasn't hurting and because of the cost,fear,pain,time off work, and,generally any old excuse I can muster together, implications.

I am now becoming concerned that I'll end up with all-out toothache soon,and I know I won't make it as far as my next check up appointment.

Since it's not hurting particularly at the moment, do I phone up for an emergency appointment(is anything between check ups classed as an emergency?) or just a general appointment (and who knows how long that can take?).

Do I get charged the normal cost of a check up,and then pay the extra it might involve when it's done?

I hope someone wise will be along to explain and give me a kick up the backside to get it sorted......please!

Why does the tooth need extracting? Is it because it's rotten, or is it an impacted wisdom?

You won't get an emergency appointment for a tooth that's not bothering you yet - but you should get a normal appointment within a few weeks. You don't have to wait until your six month check.

Who would do the sedation? Is it available at your dental surgery, or would you have to be referred?

My advice would be to make a normal appointment and tell the dentist that you're worried and want it sorted. He'll either refer you or make another appointment to get it out.

In the meantime, if you start experiencing severe pain and/or swelling which would suggest infection, then you can make an emergency appointment - although chances are you'll just get antibiotics if that happens.

The NHS charges for a course of treatment. If you go for a consultation followed by extraction it'll be £48 (Band B).

And yes - I'm going to give you a massive kick up the arse. You DO NOT want to leave things for so long that your tooth gets abscessed. I cannot begin to tell you how much that hurts. Having been through natural, (almost) pain relief free childhood, I can truthfully say that the worst pain I have EVER experienced was from an abscessed molar. Awful. That is to be avoided at all costs, OP, so get the wretched thing out before than happens. OK? :)

childbirth, not childhood - doh!

Thank you so much for answering Crikey !

There is a hole in the tooth,so,yes,rotten I suppose!

I would need to be referred to a dental clinic for the sedation - I don't know the cost implication of that either,so that's a bit of a worry.

I think that sounds the way to go - to make an appointment to have it looked at. It hadn't crossed my mind that if,in the meantime,I get toothache I can make an emergency appointment at that point - honestly,sometimes I can see the trees for the wood!

I think I need to stop worrying so much about it and start communicating - I suppose I could phone the sedation clinic to see how much the sedation will be so I can budget.

I think I was really thrown as I saw a different dentist to normal last time,and she wasn't as gentle as my usual dentist - I couldn't get out of there fast enough! Perhaps I need to see my old dentist when I make my appointment - although he's usually a lot more booked up.

I do have a few more problems ( a bit of a sharp broken tooth,and a broken filling) despite the fact I go to the dentist every 6 months and deal with things as they arise usually,so at least I can get it all done and get my money's worth And I have had the pleasure of dreadful toothache in the past so I know I really don't want to go there!

OK,kick up arse has landed and I'll be on the blower tomorrow. Thanks!

(Sometimes I can't see the trees for the wood....)

There's no cost implication - through the NHS that is free. So good news on that front :)

Thanks crikey .
I did phone and make an appointment after your encouragement.

They were very nice,and I feel very relieved actually that I've got the ball rolling to get it sorted!

Well done :)

If you need some hand-holding when it comes to actually getting the treatment done, come and find me. I'm a dentaphobe too - although largely recovered now. And when it comes to teeth - been there, done it etc.

But in the meantime, let me tell you in all honesty, that out of all the things I've had done, getting a tooth out is the easiest and least traumatic of all. And I seriously mean that.

Good luck :)