Why are there no emergency rooms with dentists?

Question

My husband has a really bad toothache and needs his tooth pulled ASAP!! Why aren't dentists like doctors and on call at the emergency room? U.K. Hospital in Kentucky doesn't even have one. It looks like there would be somewhere you could go.

by the way, we have no dental insurance..

Answer 1

Spacey,
I can help you with this since you don't currently have a dental plan. You can get coverage for your entire family very reasonably! $19.95 a month plus you will also get vision, Rx, and chiro in that cost.
Go to:
http://www.qualitymedicalcare.org for more information and to apply online.
I really hope this helps your family!

Answer 2

I'm a dentist.

The answer to your question is not a simple one.

We in the dental profession know very well that physicians who take emergency call and treat emergency cases run the risk of performing a lot of costly work without getting paid one cent for it. And on top of that, they can STILL get sued by these penniless patients (who are actually more likely to sue than the patients who pay for the doctor's services). We see this scenario, and we want no part of it! Dentistry has done a very good job of resisting the healthcare "system" where uninsured patients get treated for free in emergency rooms at the hospital's expense and the doctor's expense.

Additionally, with the exception of oral and maxillofacial surgeons (who typically handle dental emergencies such as your husband's), most dentists are not affiliated with hospitals. Most hospitals, as it seems, are content with not offering emergency dental services. Those who want such services have a tough time getting oral surgeons to join their staff and take call. Some hospitals do have GPR programs(General Practice Residency) whose residents can handle dental emergencies, but most do not.

Basically, the problem is two-fold: the medical establishment that runs the hospitals doesn't fully appreciate the importance of dentistry (which is basically a branch of medicine), and dental professionals don't want to be bothered with the problems dealt with by medical professionals.

Finally, there is one more aspect: the patients. Most dental problems develop over a lengthy period of time, are easily preventable with routine care, and only explode into emergency situations because of neglect. The bottom line is that a large portion of the public simply doesn't recognize the importance of their oral health until it wreaks havoc on their lives. Besides, ER physicians don't view a "really bad toothache" by itself as an emergency that requires a specialized doctor (i.e. a dentist) to treat it right away. Instead, they give you pain medications,antibiotics, and instructions to see a dentist, and throw you out the door. Only when you have a life-threatening infection do they consider it an emergency that requires immediate treatment.

Answer 3

Emergency rooms are for providing critical care of the sick and injured. Dental work is not critical, it can feel like it...Oh boy can it. But it is not a matter of life and death or even a matter of life and limb. There are some 24 dental facilities they have on call dentist but they are not cheap. Take a look in the phone book for emergency dental care. But the best option is to get it taken care of early, before the pain starts.

Answer 4

Because dental issues are not emergencies, even though it's so pain-full, the pain reaches a peak and then goes away after the tooth dies. The person lives and then gets to wait the rest of the day in the office unless another patient does not show up for a scheduled appointment.

Answer 5

Why did you wait 'till after hours? A bad toothache usually takes time to develop. I'm sure that if you called your family dentist's emergency no. or first thing in the morning, they will work your husband into their schedule as soon as possible. In the meantime, have your husband take some Extra-Strength Tylenol. No aspirin--just in case the tooth has to be pulled.

Answer 6

Other comments are right - if your family has been seen regularly at a dentist, he or she will come in to help you, or at the very least have a colleague who would cover.

There are some people who avoid regular medical and dental care. These are often the ones who needs help for "emergency" situations which might not have become urgent if they sought routine care. Then, they are surprised when they can't get in to see a provider because no one knows them....Of course, I am not speaking of your husband.

Answer 7

Because there are very few things considered a dental emergency.

Oh, and to taylordesigns2003, that is not an absolute fact for every ER in the USA. I've worked in mine for 4 years and have never once seen, paged, or spoken to a dentist about any patient.

Answer 8

I once went to the emergency in the middle of the night because I was having excruciating tooth pain and the nerve was exposed. The emergency doctor gave me a total nerve block injection in my mouth. My mouth and face was frozen for almost 24 hours and I woke up the next day with a black eye from the injection. I went to my dentist and he scolded me for not calling him on his emergency hot line. He said the doctor gave me the injection in the wrong spot and that's why I got the black eye. It didn't matter to me, I wasn't in pain anymore and the doctor also gave me several percocets.

I suggest you look in the phone book for dentists that have a emergency number. If you can't find one, go to the hospital and get a nerve block.

Answer 9

your regular dentist should be able to see you or at least set you up with some pain killers till an appointment could be made...my step dad would go on emergency calls all the time but if its just a tooth ache he would call in pescriptions for the patients...if its got to be pulled any dentist will do. keep calling different ones someone gotta have an opening

Answer 10

Most hospitals don't consider toothaches an emergency although I have had enough to say that absolutely are. Plus most dentists are private practice and never have a reason to go to a hospital to see a patient.

Answer 11

Okay. I know for a fact that if it is an absolute emergency, and you go to any ER in the US, they will contact a dentist to come to the E.R. to treat your husband.

The thing is, "toothache" does not constitute an 'absolute' emergency in my mind...most definately your husband will disagree. If your husband is in alot of pain take him to ER and get some pain medication to get him through the night, and then first thing in the morning contact a dentist who will see your husband on an emergency basis in dentist's office.

Good luck!