Dentist needed

If you phone your dentist they'll be able to tell you how to contact the emergency treatment clinics.

That is not strictly true, * vampire*

If you ring your usual dentist, or at least any nhs dentist, they will triage you and then maybe refer you on. There is then, possibly, another triage level before a further referral to be triage by the emergency centres.

My information is that you will only be seen if there is a really severe need.

I called my dentist Tuesday as I lost a tooth at the gum line,he said he could Prescribe Antibiotics and pain relief if necessary.If I need to be seen call 111 and they will direct me to one of the new emergency hubs,that have the correct PPE.

Even at these hubs they are only doing extractions.They won’t try and save teeth.

Sounds as if all you can do is floss well,use a mouthwash like Listerine,brush teeth frequently.

It really is a bad situation as regards dentists.

I'm in the same boat.

I've an ongoing problem, and have ended up with excruciating pain, but luckily it comes and goes.

I'm trying to hold on, as when I phoned, they said antibiotics for abscesses, extractions in emergencies only.

Thank you everyone I’ve called my own dentist however I’m told it’s closed I’ve phoned my gp who gave me a number to phone however I’ve had to leave a message they say they’ll call me within the hour. will have to wait and see. Fingers crossed.

Now my tooth is starting again.

I'll have to go and pace up and down for a bit.
Good luck, would you mind posting what they say, please?

I had problems with tooth pain and my dentist sent me to get a temporary filling kit from Boots, it’s like putty that you put round a tooth. Unfortunately I then got an infection and had to ring the emergency dentist over a weekend. I got the number from 111. After three lots of antibiotics and no relief I got referred to an emergency centre 40 miles away where I had the tooth surgically extracted. No other treatments available unfortunately.

I am amazed that the dentist aren’t doing emergencies a friend had bad toothache and all he could get was a doctor telling him to use ibrufen and paracetamol
My friend has a front teeth broken I think it was an implant she says she s in no pain but it was the anchor for a small plate and two other teeth so she’s really messed up and can’t get any dentist to help her till after this is over
I can understand it’s a close contact profession but surely there should be more help than this

I would think it really must be the most risky job, though?

All that spray that comes off the drills..

More risky than nursing the sick with no PPE ? Or the care home staff or carers going from house to house
The dentist could dress in full garb couldn’t they people can get very very ill from bad teeth

As risky, I would say.
The ppe is another subject altogether, but even with it, the dental patient has to open their mouth, and the dentist has to look in.

But there isn't enough PPE for the dentists to be equipped.

Good point!
I'm going to carry on rocking and pacing, for now.

My painful tooth is right near the front, so I don't want it out unless there is no other option.

MisAdventure I was told the advice centre will phone my dentist and see what they advise eh I’ve already told them but in my confused mind they’re going to do it themselves however as previously said dentists will only see the most critical cases..

I won’t hesitate to ask my dentist for antibiotics if I think I need them.Will be interested to hear what advice you are given Elizabeth.

Infections are a real worry.

I lost part of a large filling a few weeks ago. I tried my dentist only to be given the same advice as posters above. I ended up buying a filling kit online and tried DIY.

It was very tricky, the filling material set as I was mixing it and trying to get it into a back tooth required more than one pair of hands. The filling gradually broke up but lasted two weeks after which I replaced it again (this time it was even more difficult to put in so I have a partial filling).

During this time, I was contacted by my specialist re shielding, so I asked about dentistry. As my immune system doesn't work, it was suggested that I contact my GP to get a standby prescription in case I have a dental infection. So far I haven't but at least I know what to do.

What worries me is that it will take some time for dentists to get up and working again, my shielding lockdown is going to go on a lot longer. By the time I can make an appointment, it will be at the end of a very long list. I would have thought that dentists would have had some sort of triage system for when they do start again - I guess that is too much to hope for!

I’m very careful of taking another antibiotic if I need one I had four antibiotics while in hospital and they compromised my gut causing an upset stomach for months resulting In me losing 3 stone not nice

dentists cannot do emergencies because of the aerosol risk to themselves, their staff and to other patients. Emergency centres are very few and far between. It will be a long time before dentists are allowed to get back to work. Dentists are only allowed to give advice, antibiotics and analgesics.

The emergency centres are staffed by seconded nhs dentists and each surgery has to be thoroughly deep cleaned between patients so they might see 5 or 6 in one day. I doubt if they will be open during holiday periods. It is very frustrating for dentists but safety first. I have it on good authority that a percentage of dentists will be leaving the profession. The last straw for them

I'm using Corsodyl toothpaste and mouthwash at the moment in the hope that it will nip any problems/infection in the bud. Thankfully I stocked up ages ago as I never seem to have any when I need it eg on holiday.

I had a problem my dentist prescribed antibiotics and brushing with Sensodyne and it all settled down maybe I was lucky for now!.

crafty, I haven't heard of any dentists saying they will leave the profession.

You can get temporary crown/implant cement for leading chemist

Dentists in the private sector are generally better paid than doctors, and dental treatment has become eye wateringly expensive. Can't see many leaving what in 'normal' times is a lucrative profession.

I suppose it doesn’t make any difference if you are on Denplan. Still paying the insurance premiums, but not getting the service.

I absolutely dread losing a crown or getting toothache. I have had a few twinges, and am flossing and rinsing with corsodyl.
It’s unbelievable that you have to fill your own teeth with a cement mix from chemist. Getting to a chemist is another hurdle.