How can I beat NHS waiting lists?

Question

Currently I have to wait at least 7 months to see an NHS oral surgeon in my area, South Wales, to have an impacted wisdom tooth removed. How can I speed up this process, without going private?

Answer 1

Just keep nagging them and say you are in constant pain.

Answer 2

Have you been refered from your NHS dentist for the surgery with the oral surgeon? If so then perhaps ask if your dentist would be happy to do the procedure 'in the chair' - that is in your normal dental surgery. Sometimes they refer as they feel it would be more comfortable for you not because it CAN'T be done in the chair. Do check though because some extractions aren't that simple. If you are just waiting for an appointment with YOUR dentist for the work then remind them they legally have to see a registered patient within 48 hours if they are in pain and do something to relieve any pain for you. Lie if you must to get an appointment - say you're in agony - then at least if your dentist can't or won't do anything in the chair you can at least push home your point about him re-writing to the oral surgeon to make you an emergency case.
Having said all that, if the wisdom isn't giving you any pain then perhaps you shouldn't jump the queue - you might be jumping in front of someone who really is in agony!
Perhaps you could look into Dental Schools in your area? They would probably be happy to see you alot quicker - you'd see a student but they are very well supervised by dental professors.
I hope that helps you and i wish you the very best of luck - the story is the same the country-over.

Answer 3

Can you travel to another area where the waiting times are not so long? Or maybe keep turning up at their surgary and say that you'll wait for a cancellation because you are in so much pain? Maybe have a word with your GP and see if a hospital dentist can see you? Or maybe just ring round all the private dentists and find the cheapest and just suffer the expense on this occassion and stick with your NHS dentist for everything else.

Answer 4

here are your options, die then you dont need the nhs. Hope some one on the lists dies and you move up the list, or go private. I know how you feel, i have been waiting 8mths for investigations into my gaul bladder problem. Most days i am on pain killers, and there is still no word from my doctor. I dont care what the goverment says about the lists getting shorter, when it is happening to you, it does not feel like that.

Answer 5

NHS.. is a pain in the ***.

If you complain enough (say your in pain), they should see you faster. Although, if they are not bothering you, why the rush? Wait it out. It's not a party! Being honest here, its going to hurt like hell, if there impacted wisdom teeth.. cause they're going to have to dig those things out.

AND, DONT go to a Dental school to have this done! Yes, its cheaper... but your nuts if you trust a 'student' to do major work like this , to you. I made that mistake... While i was going to school to be a Dental Assistant, i made the mistake of thinking, hey its cheaper, i go to school here... i'll be supervised from the instructors.. no worries. WRONG!!! It was the worst mistake of my life. My Oral Surgeon 'Resident'.. whom was a First year Resident... totally messed me up! I ended up in the hospital for 4 days, undergoing treatment. With my head, the size of a freakin watermelon.. till this day i have nerve damage in my face and scars. Yes, i was a very difficult case for him. BUT, nonetheless... they should have had someone do it, that KNEW how to deal with the situation at hand. Any time, your referred to an Oral Surgeon... Get someone with experience. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD.... GET SOMEONE WITH EXPERIENCE!!!

LOL, maybe i shouldnt have told you, my experience with getting my wisdoms taken out! hahahaha... SORRY!

Answer 6

It is time for you to put your hand in your pocket and invest in your own health!!
Get a quote from your Oral Surgeon, make a plan and get it done. It is unwise to gamble with your health just to get something for free. The National Health is stretched as far as it can go and wisdom tooth surgery is not priority. Much needed funds needs to be invested too fight life threatening conditions such as cancer. I think you would agree your problem does not fit this criteria.

Answer 7

I know this post was placed years ago but I went through same think in London, I had to wait a year before could have mine out, mine was also impacted, I had lots of pain, I could not afford private. I needed to be sedated and most dentists dont do that now.

Answer 8

You can ask to be put on the standby list. This way if anyone cancels, you can jump the queue. The only drawback to this is that you need to be able to attend at very short notice.

Answer 9

Hi,I needed some of my teeth out & had no problem with NHS dentist.Hope they get a cancellation then you will get in quicker.
Goodluck

Answer 10

Change your nationality - Rumanian, Russian, Pakistani, Indian, Taliban, Sunni or Shia Arab (especially after they have bombed each other's shopping centres) Bangladeshi....any will do but don't say you are White British!

Answer 11

This problem is widespread.We are in the north west in the uk.My partner has paid for his treatment and has to wait 9 months.He has nagged about it,and we have to wait as well.He got half his teeth knocked out,so you can imagine his embarrassment at having to wait.He gets his new teeth,extractions etc in the new year.It is ridiculous.