Dentist

silvercar

With all the testing that is being carried out now, I would have thought that some dentists know they have had covid19 and have antibodies. It is a shame that this isn't being used to start reopening surgeries.

brook2jack2

There is no test yet to say you have had covid 19, there is no guarantee that you cannot catch it again, and the risk is not just from the dentist but from the patients passing it around particularly during aerosol procedures eg drilling. 

Dentistry will slowly resume but there will be no routine treatment for quite some time until everyone is sure that it can be done as safely as possible.

The current method of treating people needs an hour after drilling to decontaminate the room and even simple treatment needs a lot of,precautions to make it safe for everyone. Precautions ranging from PPE which is very difficult , if not impossible , to source and very expensive , to only letting one patient in at a time , after a remote consultation and assessment etc etc 

welshdent

silvercar said:

With all the testing that is being carried out now, I would have thought that some dentists know they have had covid19 and have antibodies. It is a shame that this isn't being used to start reopening surgeries.

It isnt down to the dentist unfortunately. In wales the chief dental officer has decided we are not to open for more than we do now - triage and simple extractions following failed antibiotics. This is not likely to change for a few more weeks and the estimated time for normal dentistry is january. We have so far been unable to change her mind. if we go against her directives the health inspectorate for wales will shut us down. 

brook2jack2

It is also that dentists are not at the back of the queue for PPE , we are not even in the queue. We have had PPE on order for months, since before lockdown. Most of our suppliers reserve for the NHS. 

There are many fakes out there and what there is is up to twenty times more expensive than it was. There is no help with sourcing PPE. 

The very specialised masks we need have to be fit tested by a qualified tester before we can wear them. Not all masks fit all people so you need to try to source a variety of masks to try. 

Some dentists cannot book a fit tester until October at the earliest.  

There will be no return to normal dentistry for a long time and dentists are and will continue to struggle to stay afloat. 

suki1964

Thankyou @brook2jack2 and @welshdent for you comprehensive replies here on the forum

As someone who has had trouble with teeth and gums all her adult life, I appreciate more than most the importance of keeping dental health as well as you can. I was in the unfortunate position of having my dental check up cancelled the first week of lockdown, and now my really desperately needed hygienist appointment cancelled and obviously that one won't be offered again till at least next summer ( six month wait for the one that was cancelled )

My gums are back bleeding, sensitivity is getting worse and Ive managed to break a tooth. I use sensodyne, an oral B electric toothbrush, the tiny bottle brushes where I can. Is there anything else I can be doing for myself until I get the deep socket clean I really need?

ripplyuk

welshdent said:

ripplyuk said:

Thankfully my dentist is seeing people, though you have to pay a £150 fee on top of any treatment costs. It’s interesting that up until this virus, the NHS and many dentists (including on here) were adamant that antibiotics do not help at all with a tooth abscess. So many people were left in pain waiting for their appointment. In my friends case, it was 3 weeks and he was in so much pain he could barely eat. Now, with the lockdown, antibiotics are being handed out straight away for a tooth abscess, which I’m glad to see. Of course, it needs to be the right antibiotic or it won’t work. In my own case, I was given amoxicillin which was useless but Clindamycin worked very well. 

Its not "interesting". Do you really think we WANT to be doing that?? I am primarily and endodontist these days. It goes against every fibre in my being prescribing anti biotics. But let me spell this out. We. Have. No. OTHER. Choice. It has been clearly stated why we are not open for anything more than triage and occasional extractions. It is not a debatable issue. It is is trhe reality of a world wide pandemic. I WANT to be able to see my patients properly and provide the treatment they need. I WANT to not have to worry as my wife goes to work as a nurse every day. I WANT my daughter to see our family and friends. I WANT a lot of things. So antibiotics is basically what you are getting for now. 

I’m not sure what your point is, @welshdent, or why it’s directed at me. I’m well aware that dentists have no other choice right now. I never said anything about that. My point was that many dentists previously were saying that antibiotics do not help at all with a tooth abscess. It was even in the NHS guidance online. Clearly they DO help, otherwise why would they be handing them out now. Obviously the tooth still needs treated, but the antibiotics can hold off pain/infection until that can be done.