Hi Bryanna,

Sorry but I don't quite understand your question re why i'm not consulting an oral surgeon on my own. It might be due to different procedures as i'm in the UK.

Here, there are generally two types of dental practices - NHS funded ones (which are more affordable) and private ones. The private dentists cost far more but generally provide better treatment and a speedier service. Both types are qualified 'oral surgeons' but they will generally stick to common types of dental work such as fillings, root canals and simple extractions.

When a more complex case presents such as roots in the sinus, impacted wisdom teeth, deep cysts etc, the practice will usually make a referral for the patient to see a specially trained oral maxillofacial surgeon based at the local hospitals. These surgeons are uniquely trained in such surgery whereas general dentists are not. They are also able to administer general anaesthesia in a hospital but it is not legal at dental practices.

Thus the routine is for a patient to be evaluated by a dentist at a general practice and if any challenging surgery or further investigation is required, then it gets referred to the specialists. A patient cannot get an appointment with a specialist surgeon directly though, they must be referred by a dentist or GP. Same applies with any surgeons (cardiologists, gastroenterologists, urologists etc), you have to get a referral from your doctor.

I was originally with an NHS dentist but decided to spend extra and go to a private practice as I was concerned with the swelling and discharge. The dentist at the private practice examined me and then advised that she would refer me to the specialists, but only she can do that.

My dentist advised that she will make the referral when I next see her which is in a couple of weeks. I'll then receive a letter from the hospital setting me up an appointment with the specialist surgeons for consultation.

So as it stands, i'm doing everything correctly but will just await my consultation appointment at the hospital. I'm not at all resting on my laurels from bad advice from previous dentists. If nothing was wrong then my palate wouldn't be as it is.

I'll keep you posted how everything goes!



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