General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAbout Dentistry, at least in Pennsylvania:
So the initial order from the governor, quite appropriately, was NO treatment that was not emergency was to be rendered. To be specific: major infections that would not be immediately responsive to antibiotic therapy, bleeding issues, severe intractable pain associated with a tooth or impacted wisdom tooth. Thats about it. Lost temporaries, decay, anything involving replacement of missing teeth is off the table, as it should be.
Now however, a new mandate has been issued that unless you can provide hospital-grade negative pressure treatment rooms, full gowning and full discarding and changing between patients, and other strict stipulations, we are NOT PERMITTED to see even the emergencies stipulated above. Failure to follow this may result in license suspensions/revocations. Thus that would be career-ending at worst and highly frightening at best.
I have no choice in the matter. The group which purchased my practice and for whom I work have closed my office and thus I have no decisions to make. I would State that I have no idea how hospitals, most of which have little or no dental resources, will cope. If anyone here thinks that you cant die from a routine dental infection youd be mightily mistaken. It IS GOING TO HAPPEN. Without question.
This goes to one of my earlier posts about increased morbidity and mortality with this Coronavirus superimposed on ordinary, as it were, sickness and pathology. And dental is NOTHING in comparison with cardiac, cancer, autoimmune, and all other entities for which many millions are in complex treatment. Its going to be a rough ride over a long haul.
LizBeth
(9,952 posts)I got the insurance January and procrastinated and knew I was in dire need. Now I am at the point of HAVING to address, or I am going to be in huge trouble. All that is my fault. Who knew though, dental would not be available which could be three months or more.
I am in toruble.
PCIntern
(25,576 posts)😢. Or should it be:
😷
LizBeth
(9,952 posts)Ms. Toad
(34,086 posts)I've already been living with it for a month - that was the earliest they could get me in. Not looking forward to living with it for six months, or longer.
PCIntern
(25,576 posts)2 -200mg ibuprofen AND 1 regular acetaminophen every 6-8 hours.
Dental pain is inflammatory pain. These work together to reduce pain dramatically.
Turin_C3PO
(14,033 posts)twice daily. Its an off label treatment for inflammation in the lungs due to cystic fibrosis. My dental pain goes completely away at that dosage.
PCIntern
(25,576 posts)You might be able to reduce that dosage. Your liver might appreciate that. But I am not contradicting your MD. If he or she feels thats best then great.
Turin_C3PO
(14,033 posts)I take liver and kidney blood tests every three months and certainly dont recommend anyone taking that high a dose without consulting their doctor.
Thanks for the Tylenol tip, Ill ask my doc and see if I can lower my ibu dosage!
PCIntern
(25,576 posts)Asshole dentists would tell their patients to take it and say, dont tell your friends. Its our little secret.
Thats so other dentists wouldnt find out about it. Real scummy assholery.
Ms. Toad
(34,086 posts)And the only thing acetaminophen is good for (according to how my body reacts) is a sore throat.
Fortunately, is is not anywere near as bad as the iatrogenci root canal on the other side. With pain like that pain I'd be finding someone to do an emergency root canal.
This new tooth has only gotten to the point of throbbing three times (over a period of 6 months since I noticed it - and has cleared up by morning each time (with ibuprofen, which I can tolerate on an occasionaly basis). I know it's there all the time (for the last month or so), but mostly as long as I chew on the other side it is tolerable.
Skittles
(153,182 posts)scary, scary times
I remember getting a fistula near one of my back teeth; I freaked out, thinking the lump was cancer....I cannot imagine not being able to see a dentist right away.
Scary times.
I_UndergroundPanther
(12,480 posts)PCIntern
(25,576 posts)The mouth is something the physician looks through to see the back of the throat.
Kathy M
(1,242 posts)Cleaning appointment for next week cancelled , they are waiting for any new mandate from Gov whether they stay open or not . They are taking it day by day .