Is it common for dentists to avoid prescribing pain killers?

Question

Details: I had an impacted wisdom tooth and it was so agonizing that I didn't sleep for three days straight. Of course this started on a Friday night and I couldn't get the tooth extracted til the following week. I was able to see my dentist for a quick visit on saturday and he could see the problem. I asked if he could give me some pills to get me through the weekend and he asked if I was ever addicted to narcotics. No I am not. He looks at me for awhile...as if I'm lying or something. He gives me a few days worth of Tylenol with codiene which is just barely able to cover the pain but better than the handfuls of Tylenol I'd been going through. I just don't get why a dental patient gets the run around.

Answer 1

The dentist saw your tooth. I wasn't as though you were walking in off the street looking for drugs. Maybe he needs to feel some pain.Then again, dentists have dentists friends who will take care of them immediately. You are only a number to them.
I would have called my family doctor and explained the situation. He/she could have called the drug store and prescribed something. And if he is your dentist, shame on him. You get the run around because the dentist is not the one feeling the pain.Maybe a new dentist should be considered. I can see if you did not return on appt day to have problem fixed then come again in
for drugs a few weeks later.for more drugs then I would be suspicious. You did stated it started on a Friday night, now how many dentists are open on a Saturday, not too many. He should have taken it out then instead of making you wait a week. Well, all I can say it was the weekend and he wanted to get out of the office for his weekend to start.

Answer 2

Normally I am quick to defend the dentist in most cases I read on here, being in the field myself, but in this one I have to agree that he should have given you a prescription of about 12 pills and given you the benefit of the doubt.

I can tell you why he probably acted that way though. You would be amazed at the number of what we call "drug seekers" that go to dentists claiming that they have horrible toothaches, and when they get pain meds you never hear from them again. Usually, in my office, the dentist will give them a prescription of 12 pills, and if they do not schedule for the recommended treatment, then if they ask for more later, he won't give it to them.That is kinda how he weeds out the ones that are just looking for drugs and not wanting to fix the problem.

But an impacted wisdom tooth can be very painful, so i don't think it should have been such an issue for him to give you a prescription.

Answer 3

It's sad that you had to be in pain with a toothache that had been diagnosed by the doctor, and had to actually "ask" for something for pain. It's true that some people are addicted and go office to office seeking doctors who are easy prey for giving out prescriptions for pain med's. I've had to turn many drug seekers down cold when they requested pain med's and the procedure didn't negate the need. I've always worked with understanding doctors who never would allow a patient to be in undue pain when med's were available to help them. On the same token I will never work for one who hands them out like candy to anyone who ask for them. It gives the doctor and his practice (to include all the staff who work for him) a bad reputation. It could be that you haven't been going to him for very long and he wasn't sure if you would return for the extraction. That would be one reason why he would only fill enough to get you through the weekend. He may have looked at the fact that the wisdom tooth has been impacted (impacted wisdom teeth can stay that way forever in some cases) for how long, since they developed usually in the teenage years....and it's started (agonizing) hurting you three days prior (but you failed to call and schedule an appointment during the week) to the Sat (probably his day off but came in for your emergency) that you saw him? That's probably what sent up the red flag. I know it would have with me. And it may not be the case at all. What you might consider doing is talking with him at your next appointment and voicing how he made you feel and that it was not appreciated or invited. Clear the air, so that he understands how he made you feel. Also that you expect to be treated with the same respect you afford him. I am sure he will think about how he treated you that day, even though he may not remember if he has a busy practice. We shouldn't put patients in the same catagory as we have those select few. Sometimes even Doctor's need to have their eyes opened. He will appreciate your honesty and frankness and make sure it never happens again with you. Hopefully, he will watch his judgement of others a little more closely too.

Answer 4

It is sad that things are this way, but many dentists are hesitant to prescribe narcotics even when they may be indicated. Drug seekers will "milk" a bad tooth for months seeking narcotics at different offices around town, but never actually getting the problem fixed. Dentists who are too quick to prescribe narcotics can face board sanctions and legal consequences.

On the one hand we desperately want to help our patients but on the other we have to constantly watch out for lawyers and overzealous politicians. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, you might say.

It sounds like your dentist is taking care of you though. Tylenol with codeine is pretty strong stuff and even though it doesn't totally eliminate the pain of a bad tooth, it is about as good as we can get short of prescribing morphine.

Answer 5

I'm a nurse and dentists do prescribe narcotics for pain. I would seek another doctor and/or dentist for the medication. You shouldn't have to go through this and it isn't fair to have you to suffer. See someone else they will give you what you need.

Answer 6

I agree with kinacl, if you are in pain & need a rx then he or she should have given it to you...i would find another dentist. I see patients in pain almost all day when they come to our office, and 99% get a rx after their root canal. The only time they wouldn't get an rx is if we knew for sure they were a "seeker" or something like the rx could interfere with other meds for another condition. Your dentist should have recognized that you needed help to get through your toothache!

Answer 7

I agree with kinacl...go someplace else. You shouldn't be made to suffer or to feel like you are up to something wrong because you are in pain and ask for medication! I could understand if you just had a cavity, then yes, that might give him cause to look at you that way. Not for your problem though. Please go see another dentist!

Answer 8

wow your dentist is just a dick......my dentist accidently wrote me 2 perscriptions for vicodin when i got my wisdom teeth pulled....it was the best 4 weeks ever. CANT WAIT TILL I GET MY OTHER WISDOM TEETH!!!!!!