Rapid Responses to:
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Rapid Responses: Rapid Responses published:
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![[Read Rapid Response]](/icons/misc/sectionDOWN.gif)
You are not alone!
- Gary Stack (16 May 2008)
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Treating dental problems
- Michael G Bamber, Colsterworth Lincolnshire NG33 5NJ (17 May 2008)
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NHS problems?
- Doug Varian (19 May 2008)
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No access problem
- Wyndham M Collins (20 May 2008)
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Gary Stack, GP Killarney
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What you have found about your figures in the UK are quite likely to be replicated here in Ireland. In particular, I have found increasing numbers of dental patients presenting to our GP Co-Op service due to the failure of dentists to make any provision for out of hours care. Competing interests: I am a GP! |
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Michael G Bamber, General practitioner Colsterworth Medical Practice, Colsterworth Lincolnshire NG33 5NJ
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It is reassuring that Dr Bint informs us that his audit is to see which patients are presenting with dental problems. He does not suggest that he and his colleagues make the common mistake of prescribing for dental problems. It is rather more concerning to reflect that there are medically qualified colleagues apparently believing that they are 'treating' dental problems, most commonly dental abscess by the prescription of antibiotics. These same colleagues might be concerned if their own patients with VD or pneumonia were being treated by dental practitioners, merely because antibiotics are in the dental formulary section of the British National Formulary. Competing interests: None declared |
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Doug Varian, retired- pharmaceutical industry Albuquerque, NM 87109 USA
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As an observer in a country rapidly moving toward a nationalized health care system, I find this information rather disconcerting. Am I to believe that dental patients are not being properly served by the NHS? Possibly worse (if one were a health care provider), are some clinicians not being paid for their services? Well, I hope the word doesn't get out or folks in the USA might think that this sort of system is not the answer to their health care prayers after all. Competing interests: none |
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Wyndham M Collins, Priciple Dental Surgeon - GDP Fareham PO16 7XU
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Firstly I must correct a misunderstanding that even the PCTs perpetuate - Dental patients are no longer "registered" with a dentist under the new contract. In the "good old days" (1980's) around 50% of the population attend a NHS dentist on a regular basis, check ups were free, with a course of treatment costing up to £14.50.Access was not a problem,100% of patients seeking NHS treatment could get it from 99% of dentists. Today the figure is in excess of this and millions see dentists privately as well. In the neighbouring PCT area of Hampshire over 720 dental appointments are missed weekly,56600 in the last 18 months alone. The equivalent of 8 full time dentists.This cost local dentists in excess of £1,000,000.00 Patients attend their doctor with dental problems for reasons other than access, but use this as an excuse to see their GMP. Firstly the doctor will hopefully relieve their pain, without actually doing anything, other than issue a prescription, and I agree this is not treatment! When was the last time that a GMP extracted a badly broken down infected tooth? Secondly, this consultation was free, but a trip to the dentist would probably have cost them money. Access is not a problem, get to know your local dentists, they will be happy to see dental emergencies, if properly referred. Do not issue a script and tell the patient to find a dentist, they will not and will only turn up on your door step as soon as the problem reoccurs. Perhaps GMPs getting the ability to charge for treating dental problems would encourage patients to seek care from professionals who can actually do something, rather than mask to problem with antibiotics and pain killers. Competing interests: None declared |
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