Dentist unable to refer me to hospital, HELP please

soreteeth

Hello moneysavers,

I have a problem with my teeth, a tooth with a crown has died and the crown has come off. I went to see my regualr NHS dentist who detected an abscess in my jaw they told me I needed to go to a dental hospital and they would refer me, they are worried that the abscess will kill my other teeth. This occurred a month ago. I was told at the time it would take several weeks before I would be able to be seen as the hospital had a backlog.

I was rung early last week by the dental clinic, and asked who my GP was, I don't have a GP as I've never been sick here, I told them I had no GP.

I would like to point out that I am here legally, I have lived here for four years, I am married to a UK citizen and pay National Insurance.

I then received a call from the dental clinic on Monday of this week asking for an NHS number, I told them that I don't have one and they informed me that I can't be referred without one.

I have then contacted the NHS via there 111 number to explain the situation and ask how I can obtain an NHS number, the advised I register with a local GP who would issued me one on the same day.

I've then called my wife's GP to register with them, and explained that I needed my NHS number urgently, they have then told me that they don't issue the NHS numbers, they submit a form to the NHS who then issue the number, they have also told me that the process takes weeks :eek:

I've called the NHS back again pointing out that the GP does not issue an NHS number immediately as I was told and asked what could be done, they have basically told me that that is the process and I have to follow that process.

I find it extremely strange that it is impossible to receive the urgent hospital treatment that I require without waiting weeks for a number to be issued. Does anyone know if it is possible for the dentist to refer me without this number, I have only spoken to a receptionist who claims that it isn't possible.

I'm sick of the constant pain and not having a tooth, any insight anyone is able to provide would be greatly appreciated.

At this stage it seems that my best course of action is to go to the Emergency center at my local hospital to see if they can arrange something, but I'd prefer not to do this as I believe that it shouldn't really be made their problem.

Also am I correct in thinking that I am only being contacted about my NHS number now as the dental clinic has only just started the referral process, or would they have contacted the hospital a month ago and the hospital has only just contacted them to request the number.

Sorry for the long first post

Toothsmith

I think you just need to go through the process.

Really, you should have got round to this years ago. If you had come to a country where you needed a particular insurance in order to get medical treatment, then it would have been very silly not to have taken out the insurance. Here, all you have to do is register yourself.

I'm sure that whatever is happening can be controlled in the short term with antibiotics until you have become registered. Get the process started, and then explain the situation to your dentist who should be able to help keep things pain-free until you get seen.

soreteeth

Thank you for the response, I wrongly assumed that my National Insurance number was used for such things, I have never been sick so have never gone to a doctor, I only just learned that such a number existed

I did register at the dentist and no number was requested so I assumed that everything was as it should be.

I did go to a hospital after being bitten by a dog, I was stitched up and given injections, but was never asked for my NHS number.

Do you know if they should have asked me for this number a month ago, or is it normal that the hospital request this number at a later date ?

Toothsmith

Depends on the area.

When I refer patients I tend not to put NHS number on the letter. There are some areas that require it to be on the initial referral letter though.

savemoney

Sorry to latch on to this thread. I have had problems for many weeks now with a abscess. Had yo go to emergency dentist on Sunday had a xray and given Mesdonazole which ran out today. He said I had a T5 abscess on letter I have to give to my dentist. I also taken Mesdonazole 2 weeks ago and twice Amoxcellin.

Went to dentist yesterday at another practice He couldn't get the proper thing that he uses to xray my mouth must have a small mouth so he uses a smaller one which doesn't show full extent of the abscess. He drilled a hole in the tooth and clean it out and refilled it, some of the filling has already come out but only a small amount.

His notes say ( hard to read them)

LL5 acute periapical perioditits
-D accssed under RD
-D Irrigation with sodium Hypochite (bleach) with pulp extirpation
-D Dressed with ledernux
-D Cotton wool pledget placed
-D Temp RMGIG Restoration
-D For RCT or XLA

He said I got to go back to my own dentist, which he is as he is away next week..

I dont get any pain in tooth now so far, I have opted for another crown which I got one a few months back to tooth next door. I have some pain a lot more on my jaw (feels like on of them spot inside your skin) I assume its still infected there.I have previously had burning sensation in jaw just below where the problem tooth is and is passed up my skull into my ears too, but fortunately its calmed down now

I suffered tooth ache for around 8 weeks now had several visits to my own dentist firstly have a small filling. Two lots of antibiotics he said probably have to have some teeth removed but emergency dentists told me he could possible save the tooth

brook2jack

There has been a thread on this recently on one of the dentists sites.

Unfortunately many areas will point blank not accept a referral without a NHS number, the dentist cannot apply for one it is up to the patient to sort out. Unfortunately many referral centres are very late in letting people or the surgery know they need the NHS number.

Going direct to a hospital will not help as all you will get is antibiotics until the referral and nhs number is sorted.

brook2jack

savemoney can't comment without seeing you,your teeth and your x rays you need to ask your dentist.

savemoney

Thanks I am just worried about my jaw and the fact I still think abscess is there not sure how dentists can get rid of that.

The good news is at least my teeth in that area dont hurt now when I eat.

paddyrg

I think it's pretty self-evident why the procedure is in place, otherwise world & dog would get an cheap flight to the UK for thousands of pounds worth of free referrals. It's a shame, but inevitable, and it protects the UK taxpayer.

McKneff

Why are you dragging up old posts.


SPAMMER - reported.