Dentists?

[Tugmistress]

My partner has just rung me from an 'emergency' appointment at the dentist which was organised through the nhs dental number absolutely fuming.....
i know he basically refused the treatment she wanted to give, which was extract an infected tooth, but like me he is scared witless to have this done whilst awake. there wasn't even an x-ray done of the tooth, just being tapped!
what we need to know is where is the nearest dentist that will do an extraction under a general anesthaetic?
or do i get out the sledgehammer? :P

[gee]

the only thing i can think of is to contact your doctor and explain situation. they may be able to give advice. i know they were very helpful to me.

[Drutt]

As far as I know, dentists are no longer allowed to provide a general anaesthetic, so I don't think the dentist your partner saw did anything wrong.

I think you now need to go to hospital to get dental treatment under general anaesthetic, so I'd second gee's suggestion about contacting your doctor.

[EDDIE]

You will have to go to the doctor to be given the correct advice.Me personally i wouldnt want to be put to sleep for that.Do you know the biggest danger of any operation is the anastetic they give u that puts u to sleep there is a percentage of people that die because of that anastetic.I know from my own experience there is nothing worse than having to go to the dentist but if your teeth is that sore you shouldnt care what method they use as long as the pain goes away
But i do symothise with u and yes my spelling is terrible

[Tugmistress]

rang the doctors, was told that antibiotics cannot be refused when today they were, can someone actually confirm this?
its easy saying take the tooth out without being put to sleep, but believe me, when the phobia is as bad as it is with us (me personally i start crying when i just smell the smell and feeling like running) being awake is not an option.
thanks for the advice folks.

[Drutt]

rang the doctors, was told that antibiotics cannot be refused when today they were, can someone actually confirm this?
I don't quite understand - who refused the antibiotics?

[Alananders68]

Can understand your fear of dentists but I think you would be better to find a dentist who is sympathetic to your fears rather than wanting to be put to sleep.

There really is nothing to fear from having a tooth out, it doesn't hurt, the pain comes afterwards and you'd have that no matter what. There is a risk from being put to sleep and people have died in dentist surgeries from it so I really would urge you to rethink about wanting that.

[kenimac1]

S'right, Dentists don't do GA anymore. You can have IV sedation though, which I can garauntee is as good as GA. I have it for any major work. Don't think you'll get it on NHS though, should cost anywhere between £25 and £70 depending on dentist.

[Tugmistress]

Drutt,
the dentist refused to prescribe antibiotics,

Alananders68,
if you don't have the severe phobia then it wont make sense to you, it isn't the pain that bothers me, it is the being able to see what is going into my mouth :( and the stress being put on instruments to do things like pull a tooth.

kenimac1,
the last time i Had to go to a dentist they did do the general, but i lived in derby and had to go to nottingham for it, which is at least 8 years ago, so it doesn't surprise me thhat they don't do it anymore.
yes we both know the risks of G.A. and are prepared to take them, it's either that or not have anything done again to our teeth, i can't even have a filling.... that's how bad my phobia is.

[Alananders68]

if you don't have the severe phobia then it wont make sense to you
I agree with that, but I think that's why you should find a sympathetic dentist and try to overcome your phobia a little. There are dentists who are very good and even specialise in treating patients who are afraid of dental treatment, must be worth considering.

The not prescribing antibiotics is common, antibiotics would only be prescribed if you were going to go back a week later to have a root canal done and try to save the tooth (probably worse for you than having the extraction, considering your phobia) but it's not always possible to save the tooth.

[SandTiger]

Hiya and thanks for your kind words and advice...

IV valium is probably what was meant as opposed to GA and whilst I can accept that the particular dentist I saw may not be certified to oversee an IV job I was frankly astonished by the way I was treated.

As a private (not that it should make a difference) patient, I do not expect to have been treated in such an unprofessional and dismissive manner that left me leaving this particular practice in a state of shock and disbelieve.

I twice asked the dentist to prescribe me antibiotics to clear up my infection, so I could find a dentist that was able (and qualified in IV) to help me, and was twice refused. All this particular dentist was interested in was performing an extraction and appeared a tad miffed when I refused, for in my view, very good reasons – An irrational but deep rooted fear of dentistry plus an extraction would not have left me fit to drive home, in my view.

My partner used NHS Dental Helpline to locate an emergency dentist as I am a newcomer to the area. However I am in the fortunate position to be able to pay for my treatment but the cynical side of me makes me think that this particular dentist felt that this was a NHS job and could get the uplift for doing a quick extraction – which are far better paid by the NHS.

I have never heard of a dentist doing work before clearing up an infection by way of antibiotics before and quite frankly was not prepared to lose a relatively good tooth after a two minute consultation by a dentist who told me that the tooth needed taking out the second after *I* had to point out which tooth the pain was coming from.

Needless to say I shall be in touch with this particular dentist’s practice manager and the relevant dentistry professional standards committee once my tooth is sorted.

[mad] [mad]

[Alananders68]

Sandtiger I don't think a dentist would suggest an extraction if it wasn't necessary because after all it would be worth more to the dentist to perform a root treatment.

Your comment about driving has me puzzled, why would you not be fit to drive? I once had a wisdom tooth extracted and it broke when the dentist was taking it out so he had to do gum surgery on me and made an incision in my gum to get the tooth out and then gave me two stitches, I felt very little at the time (other than fear) and was more than able to drive home afterwards, the pain only set in a few hours afterwards and lasted for days.

[SandTiger]

Alananders68, I agree - but even if the anti's were a placebo then they should have been prescribed in my view, given the circumstaces IMHO.

My phobiba is not a joke (not saying you suggest it is) but is very real fear to me and until I find a dentist that can help me overcome it then I'm sadly stuck with it :(

The last time a dentist walked over to me with a needle, he ended up running out the room, so it really is best all round that I am put out for treatment, for all parties concerned...

As a rule, I'm a very placid person but dentistry scares the hell out of me :~(

[Fran]

I feel very sorry for you and understand. Phobias are a terrible thing. i think you should ask your gp to refer you to the hospital dentist or phone the hospital dentist yourself, wick 605050. He is very nice and understanding, snd deals with patients with fears or illnesses.
A dentist should not remove an infected tooth till after a course of antibiotics, usually ampicillen, if you are not allergic to penicillen. He will take x-rays etc first. You might not need the tooth removed after all once the infection is treated.
the hospital dentist would do general anasthetic but it is not really wise. He would give you a valium to take a couple of hours beforehand. He is experienced with patients who have that dreadful fear of dentists.
Maybe just a phone call to speak to him abnout it would help, he would advise you. good luck. :(

[SandTiger]

Alananders68, horses for courses mate, on the driving front - I see the idea of an extraction such a traumatic issue that I would not wish to put any other road users at potential risk by driving after such an event - Simple as that... I would not feel comfortable driving so I won't :)

It's a back molar which is not to be sniffed in my book?

As for the offer of root canal treatment, it was never even suggested until I made a fuss about the extraction and antibiotics were still being refused???

I was told by the NHS Dentist person that this dentist would only see me the once, which would hardly help with RC work - When I asked why, he became a tad flustered and told me that that was how they work - I can't help thinking that because I used "NHS whatever" to locate a dentist and from there on I was suddenly seen as a second class citizen - Heaven forbid!

I know my teeth and I know a dental surgeon who is unable to do their job properly - Bottom line, this particular dentist had no right to refuse a patient antibiotics.

[SandTiger]

Thank you Fran, that was just the advice I was looking for :)

To all others, sorry for being such a bad bear wiv a sore head (Ouch - Smiling still hurts)

[SandTiger]

Sandtiger I don't think a dentist would suggest an extraction if it wasn't necessary because after all it would be worth more to the dentist to perform a root treatment.

Maybe I have a healthy untrust of "professionals"? :D

[Alananders68]

but even if the anti's were a placebo then they should have been prescribed in my view
Can't agree with that, sorry! Even most decent doctors nowadays are reluctant to prescribe antibiotics because people can become immune and often antibiotics can do more harm than good.


My phobiba is not a joke (not saying you suggest it is) but is very real fear to me and until I find a dentist that can help me overcome it then I'm sadly stuck with it
I wasn't suggesting it was, we all have a phobia of something or other. I do think that it is better to seek help in overcoming our fears though (easier said than done I know), but obviously finding the right dentist up here is not an easy task.


As for the offer of root canal treatment, it was never even suggested until I made a fuss about the extraction and antibiotics were still being refused???
I would like to think that a dentist knows what he's doing and if he suggests an extraction without offering a root canal to save the teeth then you have to trust that it's because it's the best option, but even so he/she should be willing to satisfy the patients request providing it's a reasonable one and if unable/unwilling to do so should explain why.


horses for courses mate, on the driving front - I see the idea of an extraction such a traumatic issue that I would not wish to put any other road users at potential risk by driving after such an event - Simple as that... I would not feel comfortable driving so I won't
Fair enough! I don't see it that way but we're all different at the end of the day.

[SandTiger]

Well guess what?...

I had reason to be at Inverness Hospital for the last two days and so thought I'd present myself to A&E only to be told it was an exposed nerve rather than the infection that I originally lead to believe it was...

And all the doctor needed to do was explain that in a proper manner - Job done :o)

Therefore, I feel fully vindicated in refusing to have my tooth ripped out after a 2 minute consultation :lol: :roll:

[Alananders68]

That's good news Sandtiger, providing the doctor is right. I hope he is he right, but remember that doctors aren't qualified in dentistry and where teeth are concerned I'd rather take the word of a dentist than a doctor.

[SandTiger]

That's good news Sandtiger, providing the doctor is right. I hope he is he right, but remember that doctors aren't qualified in dentistry and where teeth are concerned I'd rather take the word of a dentist than a doctor.

I'll keep that in mind mate ;)

[Fran]

:D Sandtiger - I am so pleased you were seen at raigmore and got your tooth problem sorted.
Alexander68 - you say doctors arent qualified in dentistry, well dentists arent qualified doctors and i would rather believe a doctor than a dentist. Also a doctor would give a course of antibiotics for teeth as well, and then a dentist could see what the problem was after that. :D