Dentist treatment during Coronavirus lockdown

[Kel9]

Ok do my dentist is closed and my appointment two weeks ago cancelled.

I’ve now got crazy sore toothache!! Called my dentist who’s still taking calls and he has asked about it then said that if I get emergency treatment they will pull the tooth they won’t treat it!! He’s told me to try hang in and take pain killers.

I don’t want a missing tooth as I don’t want the gap! Just bloody typical this happens now!!!

Anyone else in the same boat! X

Delay, delay , delay.

Fingers crossed @Kel9

Thank you 🙏

You will also find that most Scottish Dental practices will now have a self help guide on their FaceBook or website page .

Would you not be better getting a temporary filling kit from a chemist to see you through?

My dd is complaining of toothache and our dentist is closed but the one at the hospital is still seeing emergencies. She's only 5 and isn't eating with the pain so hoping they will see her.

Can’t use temp filling as I actually need my tooth drilled and then filled. It’s a new filling I need. That’s awful for your wee one 🙈 hopefully they will do something for her because of her age!

How long are they expecting you to manage on painkillers for? As surely it'll be weeks if not months until they're back open as normal. I'm going to be calling my dentist tomorrow as I'm pretty sure I need a root canal, but worried I'll get a similar response.

Let us know what your dentist says littlealex. I pretty sure that’s what I need too. I am in unimaginable pain at the moment. Painkillers don’t touch it and I can’t live like this for long. The 111helpline just gives advice.
The worry is that untreated infection can lead to all sorts of other problems.
It’s really bad luck, as I never get trouble with my teeth. Until now.

I've just called 111 (and got straight through, no wait!).
They recommended my dd is seen within 5 days and gave me some numbers for local dentists but said that most aren't seeing patients face to face and will only offer telephone advice/consultations so it's unlikely she'll be seen.

I'm going to call the dentists when they open and see what they say. I suspect we will be told to just carry on with painkillers, it's frustrating because i know she is in pain but she's 4 so getting a straight answer is impossible 'mummy my tooth hurts but it's not that sore but it really really hurts when I open my mouth or food touches it' 🤦‍♀️

Hi @Greenteandchives, I called my dentist and he said all they're allowed to do at the moment is give out painkillers or antibiotics, or refer me to the new clinic to have it removed, like what OP was told. He said my pain wasn't severe enough right now for him to refer me, so he's just prescribed me some antibiotics at the moment as he thinks I might be starting with an infection/abcess. I'm the same as you, no trouble with my teeth really before until now, the worst timing for something to start up

I think given her age they should see her. Bless her must be awful! I’m on paracetamol/ibraprofen and now antibiotics. Hopefully I’ve no pain after the course.

I know Sod’s law this happens just now!!! It’s the worst pain. I’m still going to work everyday so it’s not pleasant! X

I’ve been googling temporary filling kits! Out of stock!! It’s crazy how many folk now need fillings??? 😂🙈

How are you today Kel? I’m on day 3 of the antibiotics and still in unbearable pain. Can’t even have a drink now because of the antibiotics. I’m not sure what happens if these don’t work. I can’t go on like this.

Greentea, whereabouts in the UK are you? Do you know if an urgent care dental hub has been set up near you yet? Is your dentist aware of how severe and unremitting your pain is?

I've got what I assume is an abscess, rang the dentist yesterday and picked up some antibiotics. I'm still in agony 😪 taking painkillers and using Orajel but I'm miserable

opalescent I’m in the SW and I am aware that there are hubs being set up. I was told they will only pull teeth out. I am not sure which tooth is affected as the pain is so intense. I don’t really want to lose a tooth as my teeth are generally in very good condition. It’s pretty miserable.

Oh I see, I assumed you'd be wanting the flipping thing out! That makes sense though, it is quite an extreme solution.
Do be aware though that hubs are set up around in the SW though (that's where I am too!). Has your dentist offered to refer you to one at all? I really hope it eases for you very soon 💐

What pain relief are you taking?

Thanks opalescent I’m taking paracetamol as I’m not supposed to take ibuprofen due to other meds I am on.
I will go back to my dentist on Friday if things haven’t eased up a bit.

I'm worried as well that without proper treatment, infections could keep coming back, especially as there's then the risk of it spreading further too. Obviously I'd rather not lose a tooth but I am personally really considering pushing for an extraction, as there's just no saying how long we could be stuck in this limbo for.

I’m on day 2 of antibiotics but still on pain killers as it’s still sore. I’ve also ordered a temp filling kit online, I plan on costing the sore tooth as I think my pain is all nerve. I had the tooth coated before on an emergency appointment and it did me until they cancelled my recent one 🙈 x

In scotland anyway the only emergency appointments are for extractions! That’s it. They will not treat you. I’ve been told pain killers, antibiotics then if it doesn’t budge possible extraction. X

I've been reading up on some of the offical guidance for dentists, mainly just to get some more understanding of the situation, and I found this page linked in an NHS document. It seems to suggest that we actually shouldn't be just being given antibiotics, as they don't cure the toothache, and that we should be being seen in urgent care alongside antibiotics.

www.fgdp.org.uk/news/covid-19-latest-guidance-and-resources-gdps#Remote%20prescribing%20and%20advice

I obviously really don't want to challenge my dentist, especially as they're in a difficult position at the moment, but this really has increased my concerns.

@littlealexhorne trouble is, no one will tell dentists what an "aerosol generating procedure" is. If you try to take a tooth out and it doesn't go to plan, you need to use a drill. What then?

The chief dental officer has also said she will
Pursue and dentist in England who doesn't follow the guidance. But then won't clarify the guidance. Practices will go out of business while dentists sit idle, desperately wanting to get people out of pain. It's literally the thing that dentists want to do... they're stuck between a rock and a hard place and it's Shit for patients and dentists.

Very glad I left the profession 4 years ago.

The hubs are a product of the NHS who actually own very little dentistry as it's mostly sub contracted. It's shocking that they're not being set up more quickly.