Dentists

i believe as lockdown has been extended means we have been living with oral and dental problems for a long time (weeks in many cases) taking painkillers in increasing strength and anti inflammatory medications that can have unintended health harms. People are living in pain and its a major effect on mental health and their ability to function day to day. Dentist could filter their customers and work with one in one out and use all necessary PPE.

Why the contribution is important

it is important as the effect on people with taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication over many weeks is not advisable. Peoples mental health is directly impacted by living with pain on an ongoing basis. We also have the effect on peoples diet and digestive health given the effects of the medication but also on havng to amend eating patterns. This effects all age groups for all people.

by maureengunn on May 08, 2020 at 12:00PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.8
Based on: 32 votes

Comments

  • Posted by deky1boy May 08, 2020 at 12:38

    Dentists already known how to protect from infection and as long as they perhaps take extra precaution of wiping down the treatment chair, waiting rooms etc then it is essentil they get back to treating patients. This is just bottling up problems for the future.

  • Posted by Lord_Lookin May 08, 2020 at 12:57

    Why dentists were vere closed down in the first place astounds me. My dentist wears a visor anyway. They need to be treating people ASAP.

  • Posted by Mlowthian May 08, 2020 at 13:16

    Cannot understand why doctors are allowed to treat those who need it, but not dentists who just deal with another part of the body.

  • Posted by Grc22 May 08, 2020 at 13:19

    This is a difficult one as dentists would be in a high risk category for potentially catching the virus. They need to be supplied with proper PPE and not just surgical fluid resistant masks. Epidemiological studies have shown higher mortality and morbidity in people with poor dental hygiene (may be attributed to other social factors; but dental issues can lead to further health problems if left untreated and also undiagnosed oral health problems) https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health May have to be a protracted service for dentists to give them time away from exposure. Even if all dentists have proper PPE, repeated exposure to the virus over time will lead to ultimate higher viral load exposure and risk them potentially getting it and/or spreading it to staff and patients.

  • Posted by Anonymous1 May 08, 2020 at 19:36

    The Government are suggesting that people should just lose teeth rather than get treatment at the moment. A disgrace that needs addressed immediately.

  • Posted by rosemarym May 09, 2020 at 12:09

    The pain that people are suffering from toothache is being completely ignored. The Government should respect dentists for the medical professionals they are and supply appropriate PPE to allow them to re-open their surgeries.

  • Posted by SaveScottishdentistry May 10, 2020 at 10:35

    Scottish dentists genuinely fear for the future of both NHS and private dentistry in our country and the subsequent dental health of our patients. Our patients are suffering and our government has, ultimately, to find a rapid solution to allow dental practices to safely treat them. The longer that practices are closed with insufficient funding, the more likely a severe shortage of dentists and lack of dental care for our country.

  • Posted by Sedling May 10, 2020 at 13:01

    Please reopen dentists - this is an essential medical service - it is quite wrong for people to suffer in pain or risk their long term dental health because the Government has not put in place proper arrangements

  • Posted by anony May 10, 2020 at 18:18

    The NHS must treat all ailments and it's well past time that a proper solution was found to enable the many people who are suffering pain to be treated now.

  • Posted by NP1972 May 11, 2020 at 09:28

    Many people struggling with severe toothache and being plied with painkillers and antibiotics by the dental triage service. Dentists are highly trained health professionals who are essential to help people maintain their mouth health. If they are in pain or have undiagnosed dental disease then we are creating bigger and more expensive problems that will have to be addressed in the future. This will have an impact on people’s general health and ultimately their life expectancy. Scotland already has some of the highest rates of dental illness in the Western World. Let’s get our dentists back to work safely treating the public.

  • Posted by JuliaM May 11, 2020 at 10:42

    We can do diy hairdressing but not dentistry! A short break in dental care is fine but, the longer the lockdown, the more dental problems. I know emergency treatment is still allowed but check ups etc are important. I'd add opticians, other preventative checks such as breast & cervical screening, blood pressure checks, etc.

  • Posted by Clarabelle38 May 11, 2020 at 20:24

    Dentists must reopen as a matter of urgency. Routine treatment not taking place is creating a huge backlog of work and potentially easily treatable conditions will be exacerbated and become serious conditions requiring much more treatment.
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