Teeth Extraction

[Meg888]

Hello. I was wondering if anyone could advise on this. My partner needs probably all of his upper teeth removed due to gum disease and decay; he has a chronic phobia of dentists, hence the problems he now faces. We had to visit an emergency dentist on Saturday, who has said he needs treated asap. We have a 2 week holiday booked in just over 3 weeks, but I’ve been advised there could be a 12+ week wait for our local dental hospital to see him. We also need a dentist who will do sedation and calm nervous patients. I’m not actually sure where to start – whether to try an NHS dentist (which I’ve been told there are waiting lists for) or go private? He works, so he’d have to pay for treatment anyway, would the prices be much more going private? And would there be a recovery period before he could be fitted with dentures? He doesn’t want anything done this side of our holiday, but I am worried he could end up with another infection, the last two (in under 6 months) have had him quite poorly and needing antibiotics. My NHS dentist is not taking any further patients on.

[Patsy33]

Try and get him to see gp first and let him/ her know what an anxious state he's in. She might be able to get him to see NHS dentist at hospital where he could get treatment under local/general anesthetic. Best wishes.

[Meg888]

Thanks Patsy, I never thought of the GP.

[queen 1954]

my brother had all his top ones out for the same reason and had it done in hospital under a general anesthetic.a dentist or his gp should be able to refer him and if its done in hospital he shouldnt have to pay either.

[cleggie]

He is working so yes he will have something to pay still

[jennyjoan]

well when I went to my GP - guess what he said

"oh Jennyjoan - when i was doing my studying - when i came to the bits about teeth - I tore the sheets off and never read it".

[bednobs]

1) not all NHS dentist lists re closed = if in england, phone your local PALS who will let you know which ones in your area are taking om and then mke apt ASAP.
") are you going uk or abroad - if abroad, does your insurance compny know?
3) Prices for private treatment are vastly more expensive than NHS
4) yes, a recovery period would be needed before dentures

[Peter Pedant]

J6PUR is a dentist
perhaps this will catch his eye
and he will advise ....

[sandyRoe]

I saw a dentist on 23 June, have since had 6 teeth extracted and fillings done, and hope to have the replacement bridge in place by the end of this month.
That seems long to me. I don't know what other peoples experience is.

[Tilly2]

In the sixties, my Dad went to the dentist and had all his teeth extracted. They fitted his dentures at the same time. His gums healed underneath his dentures. It must have been agonising for him.

[Peter Pedant]

TY tillz
always nice to hear success stories ....

[sandyRoe]

My teeth were so bad I couldn't eat almonds or Brazil nuts. Now I can't even eat walnuts. Would peanut butter count as one of my five a day?

[Olivio]

"He doesn’t want anything done this side of our holiday, but I am worried he could end up with another infection"

There you go,if you don't want a spoiled holiday filled with hospital visits and dentist visits and a possible emergency flight back to the UK when you should be relaxing then deal with this matter asap as a bad infection which has spread to other body parts could eventually become fatal from what I understand about infections, I know this could be unlikely and could be the high end of the scale but it's alway better safe than sorry.

I hope your partner gets well soon.

[Meg888]

Thanks all for your replies, I did speak to him last night as I think we need to see somebody to get a referral at least, it's doubtful he'd get in our local hospital before the holiday, but at least if he's registered with a dentist that's something. And good point about the insurance - thanks.