Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: clio on August 05, 2020, 07:52:25 AM
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I have abscess and need of root filling however my dentist said gov won't allow such treatment at moment due to covid. I'm on painkillers and antibiotics. Has anyone heard when gov will allow dentist to commence treatments I'm in the UK. I'm pretty desperate. Cljo
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My dentist is open and I attended a hygienist appointment a week ago. When did you last enquire?
JP x
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Most dentists are now open and carrying out all procedures. Mine re-opened about a month ago I believe. This info might be useful https://www.dentalhealth.org/pages/faqs/category/coronavirus
Taz x
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I went on Monday as my face swelled up over the weekend and was in so much pain, dentist said I had abscess put me on antibiotics and told me to alternate ibuprofen and paracetamol throughout the day for pain. He explained what treatment was required but they are not allowed to drill at the moment. I'm on a waiting list for when they can commence treatment. I've had a dodgy tooth for a while, now it needs attention and they can't do it.
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Can you ask at another dentist? Mine is carrying out all treatments following the latest government advice? If you scroll down to Key Principles you will see that dentists are allowed to carry out AGP (aerosol generating procedures which covers drilling) as long as they have the appropriate PPE. Maybe your dentist hasn't bought in the full protection necessary? https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/06/C0575-dental-transition-to-recovery-SOP-4June.pdf
If you have an abscess though they wont be able to drill until the infection has cleared as far as I know. I hope you get your appointment soon.
Taz x
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Clio if your face has swollen up you are entitled to treatment, that was the only stipulation to be able to see a dentist during the lockdown and since! If they really won't treat you, find another dentist. Good luck
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Hello clio
My husband is currently having dental treatment which includes a root canal filling and a crown. He has had two appointments so far and the last will be later this month. Everything is done safely with the staff wearing full PPE and there is thorough cleaning between patients.
Many years ago I had something similar when one side of my face became swollen but there was no pain. The abscess was drained in the dental surgery but I was referred to hospital for an extraction.
I suggest you talk to your dentist again and if they can't treat you perhaps they can suggest another practice or you may want to speak to the dental department of your local hospital or even call the NHS helpline for advice
Take care and I hope you feel better soon as a tooth abscess can make you feel awful.
K.
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The way it sounded to me was they couldn't do it cos government has blocked all drilling treatment so I'm quite shocked that some dentist are carrying out essential treatments so why can't my dentist do it, I'm baffled.
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They ae not up to date! If the worst happens, patients have been sent to specific clinics for extractions. You shouldn't however have any treatment until the course of ABs has finished as blood poisoning can spread through the body :o. Take pain relief as recommended and hopefully ABs will begin to work by mid-day tomorrow.
Ring the Surgery again and ask or look on their web-site about their protocols. My particular Surgery are one of the dental hubs ...... which should be on your local Council website.
:foryou:
Also, use cloves on a pad of tissue on the area - it draws any liquid from the socket area and really helps.
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The way it sounded to me was they couldn't do it cos government has blocked all drilling treatment so I'm quite shocked that some dentist are carrying out essential treatments so why can't my dentist do it, I'm baffled.
It is up to the dentist to put in place all of the safety regulations. The rules changed from the 4th June. Up till then no drilling was allowed as it releases aerosol particles which can transmit Covid-19. My dentist has had to pay out quite a bit for PPE, sanitisers, screens etc. so maybe yours has decided that they can't keep patients safe? This should have been explained to you at the time though. I'm still waiting for an appointment for mine as they are so full up. I lost two crowns during lock down and now the underneath teeth have worn away so that will be extractions then I'm sure.
Taz x
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Taz that is dreadful lack of care, what was wrong with temporary stick on crowns ? though the 2 that DH had got chewed off within hours ::)
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Yes my dentist doing drilling with appropriate ppe. Hope you get some help x
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How is the pain and swelling?
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Thanks for all the replies. The swelling has started to go down and the pain alot better. I spoke to my dentist yesterday and told him although pain had reduced alot and swelling started to go down I do still have alot of discomfort in the problem tooth right up through my gum and nose. I can't blow my nose it hurts too much. He asked me a few questions and has given me another course of antibiotics to make sure infection is cleared. I asked Bout just having tooth out but he's reluctant as it's my front tooth and he is confident it will be OK once I have the treatment, he said I'm not to worry, I'm on the list and they will contact me with sn appointment for the treatment as soon as they can drill. So that's my update, I have a really bad phobia to the dentist so reluctant to go elsewhere as he's so good with Me. I just want it over and done with. Clio
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Why aren't they up to date with helping patients? Many Surgeries are drilling and he should have suggested that you go to a hub. Do you pay for treatment, not that I'm cynical ..........
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Yep seems all the private dentists can drill but not the NHS ones!! Two days before lockdown my app to fit my new crown which is 2nd from front was cancelled. Now it’s really getting me down but nah, no chance...I’m NHS 🤬
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Same surgery though?
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Yes I pay for treatment, I'm still baffled as a few of you said there dentist is drilling but I can't have my treatment plus I've googled and and all I have found is no drilling...... I'm at a loss but like I said my dentist is so good with me I don't really want to go elsewhere.
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Guidelines altered a few weeks ago ............. :-\
How is it today?
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It changed on the 4th of June but it depends on whether your dentist wants to pay for the PPE etc maybe?
Taz x
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I think they have to gown up for all patients?
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My dentist said they are charging private patients for whatever PPE is needed , but not NHS.
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Our Surgery is charging towards the costs of PPE.
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At my last dental appointment (3 weeks ago) I was told that they would not be doing any treatment that involved generation of water droplets in the air. That meant not using the cavitron (electric descaler) and the polisher, but they would do drilling for cavities. The hygenist manually scaled my teeth, flossed and brushed the gums and my dentist did her exam. Thankfully no cavities. Also before any treatment, they ask patients to rinse with a hydrogen peroxide solution for 30 seconds to kill any bad bugs.
Everyone in the office had to gear up with PPE and patients had to wear a mask before and after treatment.
We have dental coverage under my dh's work benefits, so I'm unsure if the dentist is charging extra for the PPE and all the air filtration measures she had installed.
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Tnx C.C. ...... hydrogen peroxide - didnt' we use that in the 1950s/60s to bleach hair :o ;D
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;D ;D That's what I thought when the hygenist handed me the cup. It's a very dilute solution that has a bad aftertaste. :P
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I don't do bad tasting stuff !
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Just an update, after having bad side effects with second lot of antibiotics which were different from the first lot, I phoned dentist who told me they had just been given go ahead for treatment involving drilling, I was priority so was booked in couple of days later. I had the treatment and was told it would take time to settle down. I still cannot bite but hoping in a couple of weeks it will be OK. I was petrified but glad it's done with. Fingers crossed it will settled down soon. Thanks for all the replies. X Clio
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Tnx for the update.
I can understand Dentists not charging for NHS PPE as that should be provided by the Health Authority. However, my sister ordered some from her Welsh HA in November: it arrived in May - 1 set for each member of staff (15) :-\
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hi,
the dentists not only have to buy the PPE, but they have to have someone come round and assess the fitting. They put some sort of vapour in the mask when the dentist is wearing it, and look to see if it leaks, they only get signed off for it if it doesn't.
Also, dentists are only allowed to charge their NHS patients according to the NHS guidelines. It works like this, the dentists get a lump sum payment for the NHS patients on their books. This is in advance. They then have a quota of work to fulfil, otherwise they get money clawed back. this year may be different, and no clawback will happen, so there is no incentive for some dentists to see the NHS people, especially given that they cant recoup PPE and other extra expenses, and they've already been paid. Not saying all dentists are like this.
My OHs friend is a single handed dentist, and has had lots of people ringing him to ask for appointments, which he cannot fit in as well as his own patients (mix of NHS and private). These patients are coming from a big "corporate" who are just telling their patients to ring 111. Ironically, NHS rang friend to berate him for turning patients away, and he politely pointed out that he was not, but he had to prioritise his own patients. NHS are just going for the little guy, as they are scared to pull up the big corporates in case they drop all the NHS patients.
Same old story eh?
Jeepers xx
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My dentist couldn't make ends meet in effect due to the Government not paying for enough patients. So he went semi-private 10 years ago, he does emergency NHS and those on benefits. We pay as we go and really need to make an appt for checkups :-\