Can I self-refer for wisdom tooth removal?

greensalad

My dentist recommended I need a lower wisdom tooth removed (and she suggested asking to have the upper removed at the same time as it bothers me). Then lockdown started and I wasn't able to go to the hospital with my referral. They say the referral has now expired. I really don't want to pay to go back to the dentist to get the referral re-issued. Is there a way I can self-refer to the hospital?

Or can I get a GP to refer me? I still have the original referral plus I am in pain because I have no filling in the decayed wisdom tooth so I can't chew on that side or anything.

brook2jack2

No you cannot self refer and neither can a gp refer for wisom tooth removal . Only a dentist can refer and it will need to be a new referral with x rays etc.

It has to be said that in the present climate it will be some time before a dentist will be able to see you and if you have decay in your wisdom tooth your other teeth will need careful checking as well. Also be warned waiting lists for wisdom teeth removal are likely to be much longer than pre covid.

greensalad

brook2jack2 said:

No you cannot self refer and neither can a gp refer for wisom tooth removal . Only a dentist can refer and it will need to be a new referral with x rays etc.

It has to be said that in the present climate it will be some time before a dentist will be able to see you and if you have decay in your wisdom tooth your other teeth will need careful checking as well. Also be warned waiting lists for wisdom teeth removal are likely to be much longer than pre covid.

Thanks for this. Not the news I wanted to hear but there we go. I was already told that my district had a 6 month waitlist for the surgery before COVID.

greensalad

Wrong thread!

wondercollie

Can't your dentist remove a wisdom tooth?  My son had his two uppers removed in office.
Or is the referral due to pre-existing conditions.  I see this a lot at work and it isn't less pain free than having it done in office.  

greensalad

The dentist did my x-rays and said this tooth needs to be surgically removed at the hospital, not in the office. I believe uppers are much easier to remove (I've already had one upper removed). Apparently there are concerns regarding the roots proximity to some facial nerves that control feeling in the jaw. I'm not exactly sure on it all but all I know is she would not do it in the office. The second upper I have that I asked to get removed probably could be done in-office but it was more "while you're there" she said I may be able to ask the surgeon to remove it. 

I don't think pain management will be any different. I believe some hospitals offer sedation but mine only offers local anaesthetic.