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Original poster

Urgent dental help please!

18 replies

Downtothewire · 12/03/2022 10:09

I am in a really desperate situation with my teeth at the moment and I really don’t know what to do next. About 6 weeks ago I had terrible terrible pain and called 111. Root canal was started and they said that I would need to either find an NHS dentist to register and get it finished (impossible) or go private.

I called 2 private dentists both said they wouldn’t finish something that had been started and advised I call 111 again. I did this and was booked an appointment. Once again was told 111 appointments don’t complete root canal treatment. I was in Pain due to an infection so was prescribed antibiotics and advised to call a private dentist but not disclose the need for root canal.

I managed to find a dentist that would see me however after paying for the initial check up he tells me he doesn’t do root canals!!! Referred me to another dentist however I haven’t heard anything back from them yet. He also found an issue with the tooth behind which will need a big filling or potentially root canal and my wisdom tooth needs removing. I am currently on maternity and we are struggling financially. I don’t have 1600+ to fix this privately really although can set up a payment plan or something but equally I don’t want teeth removing that could be saved. It’s so frustrating that I am entitled to free dental care but can’t get it as there are no NHS dentists. I am now in pain with it again; I suspect it’s reinfected and just don’t know where to turn to or what to do. Any advice at all?

OP posts:
nearlyspringyay · 12/03/2022 10:17

Dentistry is fucked in this country.

Original poster
Downtothewire · 12/03/2022 10:20

It absolutely is!! I’ve been so lucky to not need any treatment for years and didn’t realise just how terrible it really is at the moment. You have to wait until your teeth are rotting away to see someone and they seem to just want to rip them all out

OP posts:
PunishmentRoundupWithJoon · 12/03/2022 13:24

Who started the root canal treatment? Really sorry to hear you're struggling with this so much.

PunishmentRoundupWithJoon · 12/03/2022 13:26

I ask as you said you called 111 and root canal was started and you were told to find an NHS dentist to register. Why couldn't the dentist who started it complete it?

Original poster
Downtothewire · 12/03/2022 13:53

@PunishmentRoundupWithJoon

I ask as you said you called 111 and root canal was started and you were told to find an NHS dentist to register. Why couldn't the dentist who started it complete it?
The dentist I was sent to through 111 started the root canal. The way it was explained to me is that it’s just for emergencies so they will get you out of pain but not complete the treatment. The only other thing they would do would be to pull it and I really really don’t want that although it’s looking increasingly like I may have no choice.

Years ago I broke a tooth on a greggs baguette and had an emergency appointment through 111 as my dentist at the time didn’t have any appointments; at that time they booked me back in with them to have the treatment completed that they had started but it seems in the current climate this is no longer how it works

OP posts:
PunishmentRoundupWithJoon · 12/03/2022 14:07

It seems utterly crazy that they start the treatment but don't complete it! When did you contact the dentist that hasn't got back to you yet? Sorry, I have not useful advice at this point, but I really feel for you. The thing is, if you're still in pain from this root canal issue, then you're still in pain so surely 111 needs to organise something else for you? Do you have any teaching dental hospitals nearby, I've heard that sometimes you can have treatment at such places.

PunishmentRoundupWithJoon · 12/03/2022 14:08

And you've totally put me off Greggs!

Iwasjustasking · 13/03/2022 12:35

I rang nhs England who gave me a website that had a list of dentists who were taking on nhs patients, the nearest one to me was 20 miles away, but it was worth it as I needed a lot of work doing, give them a call and see if they can give you the website they use.

Iwasjustasking · 13/03/2022 12:35

www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist

Mrsmorton · 13/03/2022 12:41

When I ran an urgent care clinic, it was out of a surgery usually used for community paediatrics and we only had 20min for every patient.

There wasn't the time or the equipment to complete complex treatment and in addition, my contract was only for urgent care which attracts 1.2 UDAs - slightly more remuneration than a check up but not as much as a filling.

That's why the dentist who started it couldn't finish it.

RiverSkater · 13/03/2022 12:58

Call your local PALS and ask for advice.

Hoppinggreen · 13/03/2022 18:07

Where is the tooth?
I had issues with a lower rear tooth for years and once when it flared up I saw a private dentist and he said he could do a root canal or take it out. I thought taking out was a last resort but the dentist said it would be fine so I let him.
I was very very numb but taking it out took minutes and I was in mild pain for a day or 2 but it was fine from then on. I suffered for 10 years while various dentists tried to save the tooth and that dentist sorted it in 5 minutes
I appreciate you might want to try and keep the tooth but if removing it is an option maybe consider it?

Serialchiller · 13/03/2022 19:53

I would get it out

3beesinmybonnet · 13/03/2022 20:04

If you're in pain from an infection try swilling warm salty water round your mouth at half hour intervals. Hold it round the tooth for as long as you can.

Hope you find a dentist soon.

Kitkat151 · 13/03/2022 20:14

I needed a dental check up back in 2020 before starting some medication....couldn’t get a dentist cos of Covid...tried 20 ....I emailed my MP in the end....she was brilliant...she ( or one of her team) contacted NHS England Dental commissioners and I was assigned a local dentist within a week....I make sure I go every 6 months now.

wineandsunshine · 13/03/2022 20:20

I have had similar problems recently - I paid privately as so much pain (£500) but it was only a partial root canal.

Luckily my NHS dentist has agreed to finish the job - I am on appointment two as it's a tricky root canal apparently....!

I would suggest calling NHS England and making a complaint - they are very quick to respond and will have records of you calling 111. You may need to travel further for treatment but keep on calling as they have a duty of care.

Good luck - I feel your pain! Literally!

Bubbles1st · 13/03/2022 20:24

How many teeth are affected? Is it possible to get away with just a tooth extraction?

A few years a go I was in so much agony I couldn't bear the thought of going weeks between appointments and the £500 bill for root canal so I had the offending tooth out. The relief was immediate! Caused me no issues having a gap either.

Otherwise is it worth travelling out of area for an nhs dentist? Especially whilst your treatment should be free whilst on mat leave?

AuntFlorence · 13/03/2022 20:33

It sounds like it may be more cost effective to have it removed and if you have a gap get an implant if you're going to pay that much for root canal which may feel anyway.

I'm sorry you're in this position. Tooth pain is the worst and dentistry in this country is truly shocking. I hope you get a proper solution soon ❤️‍🩹

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