What would you think a reasonable time is to wait for a Dentist appointment?

I have a split back tooth, which up until last night still had the filling in place.





During last nights meal the filling came out, and I swallowed it. At 9am this morning I rang the Dentist surgery for an appointment, which unfortunaley is a private practise. I must have been one of the first through to the switchboard for the day.





The earliest they could offer me an appointment was 20th Feb, 7 days time. The receptionist failed to ask if I was in pain, until prompted, and was only interested in informing me how busy the Dentist was, and that he wouldn't be available due to holiday for the last two days of this week. There are no emergency appointments because of this.





However I may receive a phone call if there is any cancellations, although I doubt it after informing the receptionist when she did ask, that although I wasn't in pain at that particular moment, I'm sure by the time 7 days go past I will be !!





What do you think, and what are your experiences ?

What would you think a reasonable time is to wait for a Dentist appointment?
Most dental offices will make every effort to squeeze you in if you are a regular patient, but new patients will have to wait for an opening. Unfortunately, dental offices don't run on ememergency appointments. They run on scheduled appointments and thus have difficult times squeezing in all emergencies b/c several people a day call in. Usually, they will try to get you some medicine called in if you are a patient with a chart, and if your visits are up to date you will be rushed in much faster than if you haven't come regularly or have never been there. We many times get backed up very far in scheduling, but usually at least 1 person will cancel and we will be able to work someone in. A reasonable time to wait depends on how busy your dentist is. They can only see so many people a day. You may be able to get in somewhere else faster, but will they be as good?
Reply:I would tell them to get me in right away, or I would seek another dentist.
Reply:I wouldn't wait 7 days..... Helllllll no!!!! I'd have to go to another dentist that was covered under my insurance... Any dentist.





Never had a experience like that...
Reply:i think thats terrible considering you need an appointment quickly - this isnt just for a check up and i dont think the receptionist has done her job properly. complain! especially considering its a private practice and your paying through the teeth (sorry i couldnt help myself!) for the service.
Reply:I just went to the dentist today, and that definately sucks! Maybe you should think about switching dentists, I have had a pain for a few weeks, and finally got sick of it, called my dentist Monday afternoon and got an appointment first thing Tuesday morning. Dentists should have more flexibility in their schedule for emergencies like this, and if they don't well then they just suck. I found out I have two teeth fused together, my twelve year old molers and my wisdom teeth are coming in, all on the same side, so it hurts like a ***** and I have to have major surgery to get it all fixed, ow.





But really, unless you have had a close/personal relationship with this dentist, maybe it is time to move on.
Reply:Chrys %26amp; Lullabell - If that's the best answer you can come up with then I have a question for you...





Why don't you STFU and stop telling people to quit whining ?





7 days is ridiculous and not to be asked if it's an emergency is very poor.
Reply:Where do you live because I'm moving there! to me seven days sounds like a phenomonally short time to wait - most people I know have to make appointments up to a month in advance (an you're lucky to have a dentist in the first place!)


But yes - it's a situation that is unreasonable.


Unfortunately, that's just the way it is.
Reply:It is reasonable sadly, good dentist surgerys are few and far between in the uk. You would have thought the amount of money that goes into dentists wages they would be able to offer us good service, but its not the case. It looks like you'll just have to stick it out and wait, unless you want to consider going to a different dentist and travelling miles.
Reply:take some paracetemol to get rid of the pain. i know you probably are paying a heck of a lot for your dentist but 7 days is a perfectly reasonable time to wait. at least your not waiting 4 months on NHS!


xxx
Reply:Every professional Dentist has a Partnership with another Dentist, whether private or not. They do each others dental work, and cover each others emergency cases. Your Dental work must be done immediately, to avoid a serious infection, not to mention all the Pain you must be going through. If your Dentist is not professional enough to be able to fill your needs immediately, then I would suggest finding a new one.


The longest I've ever waited for an emergency appointment was just short of 48 hours, but that was for dental surgery, not just a replacing a filling.
Reply:I could tell you some really bad stories. By saying that you lost a filling would not excite them at all. You need to up the ante a little, like it's bleeding and it is a huge hole, and where else could you send me that has an opening. You don't want to have that kind of dentist working anyway. You'll have it fall out again. As a last try, go sit in his office and moan a lot.





Dentists and doctors live in another world. They have no idea what's out in the real world (like losing your job). I've come to the point that I just take what I can get and be delighted to have it. The next President will be quite busy.
Reply:Yes, a week is a long time for an emergency like this, and damge could occur in this time. You could telephone the NHS helpline and they will tell you of a nearby emergency dental service, who will see you as soon as possible, and most likely the same day. I would also talk to your dentist about their receptionist, and consider changing your dentist, if possible, to one that can offer an emergency service. Don't cancel this appointment though, as the NHS emergency dentist may place a temporary filling, which you can get your dentist to replace on the appointment in 7 days time. Good luck.
Reply:If you are not registered with the dental practice, I don't think they have any obligation to give you an appointment.





If you are registered with the dental practice, you must attend for regular check-ups to keep you on their books. If this is the case, and you have telephoned for an appointment, they are obliged to offer you the earliest appointment they have available. If you are in pain, you should be offered an appointment within 24 hours. If their dentist is on holiday, they should have a replacement at least to do emergencies. If not, they should have an arrangement in place with another dentist whom they can refer you to.





Unfortunately, as you are not actually in pain at the moment, your dental receptionist has done everything right. She has given you the earliest suitable appointment and offered to phone you if she has a cancellation.
Reply:I had to go to the dentist for an emergency last Monday. I rang up at 8.30 when they opened and they gave me an appointment at 9.20. I am with a private dentist. You shouldnt have to wait 7 days thats rediculous.
Reply:I think you're lucky to have a dentist and get an appointment...so count your blessings and quit whining.
Reply:You have to put it into perspective.





Dentists are VERY busy and a lost filling is low down on the list of potential emergency appointments... Think absesses, think fall and smash your teeth up...





You yourself admitted you are not in pain, so what are you upset about exactly?





If you was in pain i could understand more, but really you are just sulking because you are not the VIP you thought you were :P