Patient Information
What our patients think
Here are just a few of the many compliments the team have received since starting the service:
- “The operators were friendly, approachable and reassuring. Customer Service outstanding”
- “I was seen and treated within 1-2 hours of my call”
- “I am pleased to tell you I have now been taken on as an NHS Patient “
- “My experience from my initial phone call through to leaving the dentist practice was a very, very positive one.”
Self Help Advice
Managing Dental Pain:
If you experiencing dental pain the following advice may be helpful for you to follow:
- Use painkillers that have successfully provided pain relief for you in the past without adverse effects Ibuprofen and/or paracetamol are usually effective. Please contact your local pharmacy or NHSD can advise you further. Always read the leaflet.
- Avoid taking aspirin as a painkiller if there is bleeding
- Avoid stimuli that precipitate or worsen the pain such as hot or cold foods or cold air.
- Holding cooled water or crushed ice around the tooth can help some types of dental pain.
- Severe pain from the mouth or teeth sometimes feels worse when lying flat: therefore, try lying propped up as this might ease the pain.
- Contact your local dentist/ urgent care provider/ NHSD or your local pharmacy for further advice
Post Extraction Bleeding
Patients who have had extractions during the last week and are experiencing bleeding from the extraction area may find the following advice helpful to you:
- Blood-stained saliva is normal following dental extractions.
- Make a small pad with a clean cotton handkerchief or kitchen towel and dampen it slightly with water. Place the damp pad over the socket area and bite firmly. If there are no opposing teeth hold the pad firmly in place on the socket. Maintain this while sitting upright quietly for 20 minutes and then check. Repeat once if necessary.
- After the bleeding has stopped, remain rested and as upright as possible.
- Do NOT drink alcohol as alcohol thins the blood and therefore is more likely to cause the bleeding to continue.
- Do NOT smoke as there is a large chance of a tooth socket becoming infected if you smoke.
- Do NOT disturb the blood clot in the socket.
Contact your local dentist/urgent care provider/ A&E Dept/ NHSD if you have any further concerns and have followed the advice above.
Visit the British Dental Association website for more information about teeth and gum care.