PJ,

I had no idea you were in the UK. Thank you for explaining the process to us. It is most unfortunate that you have to go through so many steps and wait so long to be seen by the specialist. Here in the US.... that waiting thing.... would not be tolerated too well by most Americans, probably because we've never really had to deal with that. Many people here have insurance coverage that requires them to get a referral from their physician or dentist to see any specialist. However in most cases, there is no waiting period and if there were, the paperwork would generally be moved through quickly. Other people have insurance coverage that does not require a referral allowing them to obtain special medical or dental services very quickly.

The only way I could foresee getting you into the specialist sooner is for your new dentist to do the referral now instead of waiting another two weeks. She has already examined you and determined you need the referral. So why can't she do the referral based on her last exam of you?

It must be frustrating and difficult to remain tolerant during this drawn out process, especially when you are living with a physically uncomfortable problem. Gosh, I don't think I could do it!

Please keep us posted. And thanks again for explaining all of that to us....

Bryanna



QUOTE=pjsavvy;839102]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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