Dental check up

[redsturgeon]

Mrs RS was invited to the dentist for a check up. She has no ongoing dental issues. She has just left the house for the appointment. I was thinking that I probably would have politely declined.

Joihn

[staffordian]

Given the current advice about unnecessary contact etc I'd definitely give this a miss.

If I'd raging toothache, I'd risk it, but not for a check-up

[tjh290633]

I had a check up, postponed from March, on 25th November and my next is booked for 17th February.

The dental nurse came out in full PPE rig and I said "Take me to your leader". She looked very alien. Windows open, PPE everywhere, sanitisation, stay in the car until told to come in, payment by direct transfer, not a problem.

I have no qualms about being seen to.

TJH

[absolutezero]

I had a check up, postponed from March, on 25th November and my next is booked for 17th February.

The dental nurse came out in full PPE rig and I said "Take me to your leader". She looked very alien. Windows open, PPE everywhere, sanitisation, stay in the car until told to come in, payment by direct transfer, not a problem.

I have no qualms about being seen to.

TJH

In the current climate, I dream of being "seen to"!


On the dental thing:
No. I've not seen the dentist for about a year now. Close contact is best avoided unless you need to.

Now my regular injections with the GP practice nurse are another question. I have them every 10-12 weeks and no worries about it.

[redsturgeon]

Looking at a quick risk analysis my own personal thoughts would be.


What is the benefit to me of having the check up now?

What is the downside of postponing for six months?

What is the downside of me catching the coronavirus?

Seems that it's an easy call for me to postpone.

John

[UncleEbenezer]

Hmm, now you mention it. I wonder if I can even register with a dentist these days? Think I last went to one in 2002.

[tjh290633]

In the current climate, I dream of being "seen to"!

On the dental thing:

No. I've not seen the dentist for about a year now. Close contact is best avoided unless you need to.

Now my regular injections with the GP practice nurse are another question. I have them every 10-12 weeks and no worries about it.

There was much more PPE in the dental surgery than in our GP Practice, when I go for the occasional blood letting. That was twice in the last year, with another due in February, I expect. I have only seen the Practice Nurses and Doctors on the road outside the Health Centre on their way to work, as all other contact has been by phone, Email or Text message.

TJH

[AleisterCrowley]

I've just emailed my dentist - I have an appointment next week for a bit of minor work. If they are still running I'll probably attend
I also need to plan in a non-urgent root canal/crown - which I'll delay until the virus nonsense has diminished I think
I'd probably not risk a check up unless I had noticeable problems

[neversay]

I postponed my regular check-up but our daughter visited the orthodontist today to have her brace tightened. I guess we partly reduced our risk.

[Bubblesofearth]

I postponed my regular check-up but our daughter visited the orthodontist today to have her brace tightened. I guess we partly reduced our risk.

Of being bitten?

[PinkDalek]

... I also need to plan in a non-urgent root canal/crown - which I'll delay until ...

Et tu Brute.

I had one set of root canal stuff undertaken in November & December 2020, having postponed from April 2020. That particular tooth was already playing up, having been on the watchlist for a few months.

I still have another two to book. Yes, they appear to take all the necessary precautions and have one of the more modern (slower & less noisy) drills but I'm in no rush to book them. I was a gibbering wreck when last there but nothing new on that front. Something about nerves, rather than any pain of which there was none.

At least the cash flow is pleasantly impacted, unlike the teeth.

Similarly, despite my quarterly underlying health check ups being undertaken by phone, I am still required to visit the Draculas in advance for blood tests at the local hospital. Can't say I'm looking forward to attending the next one in March but without the test results it is unlikely they'll prescribe the meds.

At least it is a pleasant walk there & back & usually involves a visit to a rather good independent off-licence.

[AleisterCrowley]

I'm not great with dentists, and despite dental insurance through work (which I pay towards) the wallet impact is ..unpleasant
I seem to be able to recover c 50% of costs
The offie sounds like a good plan. 'Self medicating' ?!

[MaraMan]

I have been having dental check ups and hygienist appointments all the way through. My dentist is very safety conscious and I feel safer there than many other places, such as supermarkets. I have another check up tomorrow and have no qualms about attending.

MM

[6Tricia]

I'm in a quandary. My November check up was postponed until 26th January, which I planned on postponing further. However, over Christmas a lower front tooth cracked horizontally leaving a jagged edge. My tongue is sore from worrying it and I'm pretty sure my dentist will say that the tooth needs to be crowned - which would lead to further appointments. Currently, apart from my cleaner and the neighbour who shops for me I have no contact with anyone else so I'm very reluctant to go to the dentist now but then again also worried about how long this lockdown will last. Decisions, decisions!

Tricia

[staffordian]

I'm in a quandary. My November check up was postponed until 26th January, which I planned on postponing further. However, over Christmas a lower front tooth cracked horizontally leaving a jagged edge. My tongue is sore from worrying it and I'm pretty sure my dentist will say that the tooth needs to be crowned - which would lead to further appointments. Currently, apart from my cleaner and the neighbour who shops for me I have no contact with anyone else so I'm very reluctant to go to the dentist now but then again also worried about how long this lockdown will last. Decisions, decisions!

Tricia

One of my crowns broke days into the first lockdown, last March, leaving me with gap, but fortunately, as the nerve was removed years ago, no pain.

I finally managed to get an appointment with my dentist late last September, when things had died down somewhat, but unfortunately it was beyond repair and I'll need a denture. Even then, the dentist told me it could not be done until the pandemic was more or less over, so I've still got quite a wait.

Maybe you won't have a decision to make if your dentist has a similar policy to ours.

[Sobraon]

Still going to my lovely hygienist every 3 months and my dentist every 6, very strict in their Covid secure procedures. Last went on 23rd of December but was slightly delayed as a young man had come in with a dental emergency. They saved his tooth but the cleanup in the surgery took longer than the procedure and needed three members of staff.

They couldn't book next appointment in March but did the June appointment. I guess they had got the 'nod' from the Dept. of Health.

Only downside is its all manual at the moment with the hygienist so I think she is having to work very hard.

[Lootman]

I am going as normal. I get quarterly cleanings as well as an annual exam. I missed my April appointment due to the virus but have since seen been in July and October, and due again next month.

There are various protocols in place and, for the cleanings, the main difference is that they use an old school manual scraper rather than the fancy ultra sonic scaler, which throws up a lot of spray.

[daveh]

I had a check up, postponed from March, on 25th November and my next is booked for 17th February.

The dental nurse came out in full PPE rig and I said "Take me to your leader". She looked very alien. Windows open, PPE everywhere, sanitisation, stay in the car until told to come in, payment by direct transfer, not a problem.

I have no qualms about being seen to.

TJH

I'd love to have a dental appointment - no real problems, but I do have some enamel erosion I'd like the dentist to keep and eye on and some ongoing gum problems I'd also like the dentist due to keep an eye on just in case, I could probably do with a scale and polish too. I was due an appointment on 26th March last year - it was cancelled - I've not been called back. I was on 6 month check-ups and am now over a year overdue (as there was a long wait for my cancelled appointment after been told I was due).