Health Experts
Dentist
Dental Q&As
Saga's dentist Keith Cohen answers readers' queries about an NHS referral for a mouth ulcer and routine check ups
NHS treatment for mouth ulcer
Q: I have an abscess and my dentist wanted to refer me to a private clinic which I cannot afford. The second option is for him to do root canal work on the one of six crowns I have. He finally decided to refer me to the NHS dental hospital and I am concerned about how long it will take to get an appointment to do the treatment. I’m worried that the abscess could cause more problems if is left; it has been around nine weeks already. Is it possible for it to cause pain in my shoulder and down my arm? Any advice would be welcome.
A: If you are not having any acute symptoms, such as swelling or pain, it should be possible to wait to see a dentist in the hospital service. However, this will normally take up more time in treatment and between appointments than it would in general practice. You would need to have a consultation first to see if they are willing to put you on their waiting list. This would be particularly advisable if your dentist feels that treatment would be technically complicated for him to carry out.
It would be unusual for an abscess to cause pain in the shoulder and arm. If the pain is originating in the mouth it’s more likely to be associated with a muscular imbalance or otherwise a problem in the shoulder. It really depends on the history of the pain and symptoms which you should discuss with your doctor if you are concerned.
Too many inspections
Q: At present I have two inspections per year with an NHS dentist. I hardly ever require any treatment and wonder if I had only one inspection per year, would this prejudice my registration with my dentist?
A: Some patients have healthy teeth and gums and do not require much maintenance and could be seen once a year, whereas others have many problems and need to be seen every two or three months. It would be best to discuss this with your dentist and confirm if one inspection per year is suitable for you and him
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Saga Health Cash Plan can help with everyday healthcare expenses by providing financial support towards dental bills, optical bills, specialist consultations, physiotherapy, hospital treatment, home help, specialist care and many other common healthcare needs.
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.