Can I self-refer for wisdom tooth removal?

greensalad
greensalad Posts: 2,530 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
edited 21 June 2020 at 5:20PM in Health & beauty MoneySaving
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.

Comments

  • brook2jack2
    brook2jack2 Posts: 535 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 500 Posts Name Dropper
    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
    greensalad Posts: 2,530 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    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
    greensalad Posts: 2,530 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 21 June 2020 at 7:40PM
    Wrong thread!
  • wondercollie
    wondercollie Posts: 1,591 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    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
    greensalad Posts: 2,530 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    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.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.8K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.1K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 597.5K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.5K Life & Family
  • 256.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.