Is this one for the Doctor or the Dentist?

Toothsmith

Sorry - I've just read my reply again, and it does sound a bit harsh!

It wasn't really meant to sound like that.

I was a tad frustrated that you hadn't checked his story a little more closely though.

I think it's the same 'couldn't be bothered' patients you are getting now, it's just with all the problems in dentistry, they have a legitimate excuse handed to them on a plate.

It's like the people who make the telly when they take their own teeth out. There has only been real access problems for the last 5 or so years. Some of the mouths these people have, they have been working very hard on abusing their teeth for many more years than that.

Even if dentists were freely available and free of charge, they would probably still get tanked up on half a bottle of vodka and have a go themselves.

The current situation just gives them their 15 mins of fame from a media hungry for stories like that.

Just for your own curiosity though, I would ask the next patient who gives such a story to name his dentist, and ask when he last went. Then, at a quiet moment, find the practice (if it exists!) and ring them up. I would be surprised if they didn't have to at least search through the filing cabinet in the attic for his notes!!!

As I said above, I really would be surprised if a private dentist treated one of his regular fee paying customers in such a manor. Not only would he loose that patient, but stories about such service would undoubtably spread amongst the rest of his patients.

Access is only a problem for those seeking NHS treatment. Out in the private sector, There are not many 'closed books' and a new client is always welcome.

mda99das

If it is painless then it is more than likley to be an erruption cyst.

How long as he had it?

Is it bluish reddish in colour with a white tip?
Does it hurt when you press it?

Toothsmith

I wouldn't actually agree with that mda.

Once an abscess has got to the surface, then pressure rarely builds up and so they are more often than not painless as well.

Erruption cysts are quite dark blue/black looking, and I've never seen on anywhere other than the molar region, which is quite hard to see without very good lighting.

I've never seen one with a white tip either, as the only thing that could be really is the cusp of a tooth coming through it, and once the cyst has been punctured, the fluid comes out, and it's no longer a cyst.

I think it is the classic 'gumboil' abscess, but a dentist should still be consulted.

Katykat

Thanks Toothsmith, I would agree, there are patients out there who you just cant help or advise, but I'm not in the market for delving into dental areas, got enough to do looking after the body, I doubt the dentist in question would respond to any query from me regarding this particular patient,re Data Protection etc. I could just imagine the response a patient would get from a dentist if he rang & asked for an appointment to discuss his piles because he couldn't get an appoinment with his Dr. Get my drift---teeth --Dentist, Body--- Doctor, Soul

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Priest. If only it were that simple.