I really don't need this!

You've to be careful with all painkillers, Nonu - too much paracetamol can affect the kidneys irreparably, too much aspirin can make your stomach bleed, and so on.

But paracetamol and ibuprofen alternately, each within their own limits as stated on the packaging, will get Phoenix through the days until she can get something done about the abscess.

ELEGRAN, well said !

Poor you! This is not what I want to read when I come back on Gn after weeks of being so busy! Where is the silver lining in your cloud! You might be driving me to unladylike language, I've had enough of your troubles so can't imagine how you must be feeling. ENOUGH. STOP IT whatever is sending Phoenix too much for anyone to have to deal with. Feel unsatisfying a petition if only I knew where to send it.

hello again, I'm alternating the paracetamol with ibuprofen, doc said it was ok, so at least that means tablets every 2 hours instead of 4.

It's painful, but bearable, will try to have an early night and be ready to get on the case tomorrow!

Sods law that these things happen when the weekend is nigh!

I was told that doctors have no training whatsoever with regards to anything dental; ours always sent people to a dentist.

I've got an infected tooth that flairs up from time to time and I've found it responds very well to ibuprofen. The alternative is to have it out, but I want to hang on to it as long as I can.

My OH, who worked as a GP, always prescribed the relevant antibiotic to someone with obvious tooth abscess if dentist not available; with the instruction to go to dentist as soon as possible. Makes sense.

Morning all,

Well, just phoned the dentist and they can see me this afternoon at 5pm. I hope they do understand that it needs to be NHS, not private, although NHS charges are now around £50 (I think) it is still a lot less than private.

Got through the night reasonably well, although did wake up at 2.30 and took a couple of tablets as it was starting to throb again.

Google "emergency dental care at North Devon" and you will find a dental practice which is open until 10pm at night and they will see NHS patients. As far as I am aware it is not the hospital but not 100% on that one.

Very miserable for you.

Good luck with the dentist, phoenix. A tooth abscess is torture. I speak from experience. However there is nothing to beat the relief when the pressure of the infection is released.

Actually it's not too bad, the tablet combination seems to be working, although I still know when the next lot are due!

I'm just having a cup of coffee, and so far managing to not dribble too much

I now know what my face would look like if I had botox on one side.......

NHS charge for Band 2 is £50.50 phoenix. But, if you only need an examination and prescription, you might be Band 1 which is £18.50.

I don't know what benefits you are on (if any) but some mean you don't have to pay anything. Not up to date with benefits for people of your young age and which ones count but you should be able to google it. Dh's patients are generally somewhat older!

No benefits at all kitty, but I think it will be examination, x ray & prescription at this stage, then some treatment to sort it all out.

I know that there is a maximum charge on the NHS for any one course of treatment, and if you think about it £50 is quite reasonable if you are having a few fillings, scale and polish etc, so I am hoping that they did understand my elephant man mumblings re. charges, as the private costs listed on some dentists websites make your eyes water!

Phoenix, can you not register with them as an NHS patient in case you need further treatment?

We only pay NHS charges whenever we need treatment.

I am registered with an NHS dentist and the charges are very small.

This might sound daft, but I think I am registered with them. There was a lot of excitement when they first opened up, as previously there had been no NHS dentist in Holsworthy, although there were 3 private ones, which seems a lot for such a small town!

I remember phoning them and adding our names to their register, but looking at their website, I think they only regard you as a registered patient once you go for your first check up, not if your first visit is an emergency one.

Yes. They are quite strict about keeping appointments for check ups etc. When we get our reminders I have to nag DH to keep his because I don't want us to be struck off the list.

Well, they phoned to say there was a cancellation and would I like to go at 12.30, so I did. £18.50 to pay, which is standard NHS charge, so that was ok. Examination, x ray & prescription for antibiotics.

The result is that the tooth will have to come out, as there is insufficient bone to hold it in place I've had loads of surgery on both my upper and lower jaws, including bone grafts etc.

I'm pretty peed off, as there is already a gap to one side of that tooth, so now there will be a two tooth gap, and it will show. So, the only option to fill it is a denture. Not happy.

Dentists and Doctors just don't seem to get on these Days. My sympathies Phoenix, your experience was so wrong.
I recently had a 2 hour Dental Appointment, and due to my back problem, I asked my Dentist for Diazapam... at times after lying on my Back, I have difficulty standing. My Dentist told me to ask my G.P. as the rules had been changed (due to abuse)
I asked my G.P. and she Hit the Roof, said the Dentist was passing his work on to her.
I explained this to my Daughter, and she asked her Dentist about it, and he told her YES the rules had been changed.
So what is going on?

I get on very well pwith my lovely dentist. He always gives me hug and a kiss ad fits me in at the drop of a hat.

Would it not be possible to have a bridge to cover the gap? I have one for a 2 tooth gap, attached to a canine. Unfortunately whatever is done will cost quite a bit! I am pleased you have an NHS dentist at least.
Hope the pain will improve with the antibiotics..

If you have a NHS dentist and need antibiotics do you have to pay for your prescription even if you don't pay for prescriptions from the Dr?

Galen, like you, I am on good terms with my dentist. I think I am financing his children's education at private schools! shysal, a bridge is a great alternative to a denture. However, I feel slightly ill when I reflect what else I could have done with the sum I paid for mine.

Tegan as far as I'm aware, the rules on prescription charges are the same, providing it is an NHS prescription rather than a private one.

Unfortunately I still have to pay for all mine, I'm thinking of asking the GP to prescribe more then a months worth each time, so that, I actually pay a bit less per pack, if that makes sense?

Tegan no! Any NHS prescription would be under the same conditions.