King's College Dental Hospital

[alaska721]

Does anyone have experience of having their children referred to King's College Dental Hospital by their dentists? Earlier this year my daughter's NHS dentist said she would be referred to King's as she had some discoloration on a molar. The appointment was yesterday and after four hours in the waiting room we were told she would need a routine filling. She has to go back to King's in four weeks time for the filling.

The reason I'm asking is that I want to know if it is normal for children in the area to be referred to King's for such dental treatments? Do the local NHS dental practices not carry out these treatments?

[hazelnunhead]

My daughter was referred to Kings, but she has some dental issues related to her enamel. I wonder if your dentist was worried about the discolouration, or if they thought the tooth might need to be extracted, or something other than an injection needed? Kings offers gas and other types of sedation that local dentists can't. We have found the care at Kings superb, and haven't waited for longer than 10 mins or so when booked in for an appointment. Perhaps you could ask the consultant in 4 weeks time, but they will sign you off in no major issues. (That is my knowledge). We waited almost a year from referral so I am not sure it is routine to refer children because of the wait list.

[alaska721]

Thank you for your response. I will speak to the consultant next time we're at King's and ask why it was something that had to be dealt with by the hospital rather than our local dentist.

My concerns were the four hour wait at King's (meaning my daughter missed school and I had to call work and say I wouldn't be back) as well at the long period between the initial referral to the actual appointment (almost a year).

I grew up outside London and I remember my dentist being able to offer gas, injections, x-rays, extraction etc. I don't recall ever having to go to a dental hospital so I wasn't sure if it was a London thing. I don't know whether it would be worth going private or finding an alternative dentist that can offer such treatments.

[MummaB]

The very first time my child needed a filling, my dentist spotted it as discolouration i.e. likely a cavity that can't be seen on the surface of the tooth. He referred him to King's and it turned out he wasn't really what I would call a 'family dentist' so we left of course and are now with Smiles on North Cross Road. Consider changing your dentist or you will end up having to go to King's for things other dentists happily deal with in their own practice.

We have only had to go to King's since with some issues around teeth taking a long time to come out needing to be checked out and x-rayed.

I thought the King's dental institute was brilliant, short waiting time and amazing staff.