Dentist + Cold Sore

Mrs_P_Pincher

I have finally found myself a possible new dentist after having all sorts of problems with the previous practice and I have an appointment booked for Monday morning BUT I am now getting a cold sore.

It started coming up this afternoon and although I'm treating it, they usually last a week or ten days.

I am so concerned about what my previous dentist may have left me with that I am really anxious to keep this appointment, plus I'm off work so it would be really convenient to go on Monday.

Previous dentist wouldn't see me if I had a cold sore, but examined me on more than one occasion when I had a herpetic mouth infection, although he didn't treat and referred me to my GP, so I'm confused.

Is there a rule on this?

Mrs P P

McKneff

Never thought of it really, but I went last week with the back end of a cold sore, didnt think about it till I opened my mouth wide and 'ouch' dentist didnt mention it. Why not ring them and ask.

Mrs_P_Pincher

Oh I will ring them, but I can't do that now until Monday morning.

Just wondered if any of the resident dentists had a policy on this.

Mrs P P

poet123

My Dentist asks you to cancel if you have a cold sore.

brook2jack

Cold sores are extremely infectious, as the serum in them is laden with virus. Our policy is not to carry out treatment until it's healed as it puts us at risk of herpetic whitlows (finger infection) or eye infections if particles get around the visors/eye protection.

carolpinkdreamer

Our dentist treats us when we have active cold sores but she ALWAYS wears gloves and a mask anyway. She wrote me a prescription for a giant tube of Zovirax last time because I said I'd bought a little tube at the chemist. I'd go along for your appointment as normal.

brook2jack

No phone first. I always wear gloves,mask, glasses etc but the repeated advice from our microbiology colleagues is not to treat with an active cold sore. Different dentists may have different policies but we do not treat with cold sores. I know a colleague who almost lost an eye and needed alot of treatment and time off work. Dental work,even a check up , can create mists of virus laden droplets that can get everywhere. Cold sores are incredibly infectious more so than mist other infections and manipulating lips often cracks the lesions liberating lots of infection and making life uncomfortable for you.

Herpetic whitlow http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpetic_whitlow

This is not my practice but another that won't see you if you have a cold sore
http://www.guiseleydentalcare.co.uk/Cold%20Sore%20Policy%20v1.pdf

Toothsmith

We try and encourage people not to come with an active cold sore for the reasons given above.

If one slips through, I will do a check up, but avoid treatment.

Mrs_P_Pincher

Thanks peeps.

Looks like I'll have to re-arrange.

Mrs P P

ellay864

It'll probably be more comfy for you too if you have the appointment when you've got rid of the cold sore - whenever I have one the last thing I'd want is anyone touching me round the area as they're flippin' painful!! And I totally agree with the dentists here about why they'd want to avoid patients with cold sores - my job is micro-related and I know how infectious they are (the cold sores, not the dentists!!). It always used to break my heart keeping my distance from my sons where they were little when I had one but I'd not wish passing them to on to anyone

Mrs_P_Pincher

So I rang this morning to cancel the appointment because I have the cold sore (it's still going strong!) and they said it didn't matter to them because obviously they wear gloves!

Should I be concerned about hygiene at this practice and perhaps look again for a new dentist?

Don't know what to do now.

Mrs P P