Vent needed about GP at my surgery

mynameistallulah

brook2jack wrote: »

Please read above posts. There is no such thing as weak teeth and duraphat cannot be bought , only on prescription.

That's not strictly true though, is it?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3942231

Since posting that thread I did some calling about and the selling of Duraphat over the counter seems pretty common across the chain (the surgery in question is part of a nationwide group).

OP, have you asked the dentist if they are willing to sell you Duraphat? At my surgery it costs £4.75 for the lower strength.

brook2jack

Yes it is true. The dentist can only sell it to a patient that it has been prescribed for ie as a private prescription. You couldn't just sell it to someone who walked through the door. They would need to be examined and a note written in the records that duraphat has been prescribed.

The higher strength is much smaller tubes and is more expensive again.

If a medication is prescribed for a good clinical reason what makes this medication different from any other than op should pay for a child?

As mentioned in your thread pcts are now getting antsy about paying for repeat prescriptions and now dentists are being stopped from writing a prescription without having a check up. So a nhs patient can either get a repeat from their doctor or pay for nhs check up and prescription charge or pay for the toothpaste on a private prescription which may be cheaper.

mad_dr

A doctor in my practice found treating a patient like this wouldn't be around for long, I can assure you. Complain to the practice manager and if you're not happy with the response, escalate it to your PCT.

Most of us try to provide a courteous, professional service to all of our patients, regardless of the reason they've come to see us or what pre-existing conditions or prescriptions might be in place so I hope you have success during future visits.

VitaK

If the surgery think the prescription should be issued by the dentist and not them, then surely they should be contacting your dentist and not you.

meer53

If it's the same toothpaste as yours why don't you let her use yours and order some more ?

I too can't imagine why a 10 year old would need prescription toothpaste though ? My son used to have fluoride drops when he was younger for his teeth, i'm sure i used to buy them ?

Tigsteroonie

kathy206 wrote: »

It drives GPs mad when dentists start sending patients to them for dental scripts, as it is the DENTIST prescribing the medication not the GP, the GP has not examined the patient or prescribed the course of treatment. The prescription is a legal document and as soon as you put your signature to it then the prescriber is responsible for it.

Do GPs really have a problem with this? Out littl'un is on high-calorie prescription milk and multivitamins, the first was prescribed by a Dietitian and the latter by his Paediatrician, but the GP practice is responsible for issuing the repeat requests and they don't seem to have a problem with doing so. Why would a dental request be any different?

System

I can't see it anywhere in this thread but surely it is up to the dentist to arrange for the GP to issue the reapeat prescription and not the patient telling him?

The dentist should have written to the surgery to set this up.

However the fact that this wasn't done doesn't minimise the appalling treatment received.

mum2one

As i am already on the toothpaste (mines to side effects from mediciation), I just rang the surgery and offered to bring in the toothpastw (got the chemist label on) and he had no problem issueing it, after the phonecall so obviously we spoke to the doctors as the 1st was in prescription, and I would guess that as DD had been prescribed it, to go down the same route.

I'm more than happy to share my toothpaste with DD, but then it going to be the case where I'm going to be using too much, whereas DD has been prescribed it, if she has her own supply then its still the same amount being given out regardless of who gets it.

mum2one

To update-
Had a phonecall from the GP (no apology), but she said she spoke to the PCT trust who say they are not to issue dental items, and that my daughter has to have an appointment every time she needs toothpaste.

Which is a laugh as we have to book 6 and 12 month appointments 12 months in advance, and as were NHS patients - its going to cost the goverment whatever the band 1 is for us to be given a prescription, yet our registered GP is more than happy to issue the toothpaste, this was another GP in the pratice.

ady_j

meer53 wrote: »

If it's the same toothpaste as yours why don't you let her use yours and order some more ?

I think the medics call that 'self medication' and it's generally frowned on.

I too can't imagine why a 10 year old would need prescription toothpaste though ?

I suppose after all the years you spent at university and dental school you are entitled to your opinion, however surely you would defer your diagnose to the dentist who actually examined the patient.

My son used to have fluoride drops when he was younger for his teeth, i'm sure i used to buy them ?

I'm not sure about anyone else, but I have no interest in your family medical history. When you decided to buy the fluoride drops, was it because your GP shouted at you when you tried to get them on proscription, if not I'm not to sure of the relevance to the OP or this thread.

OP continue with your complaint, the Dr may have had a bad day but should not be taking out their anger / frustration on other patients. It may even be in her interest as it may bring to the attention of the practice that she needs help with her workload.