Toothache

[waterbitch]

I have atooth/gum ache v painful in lower jaw under some bridge work saw an emegency dentist who gave me antibiotics,well they worked for a day,problem is I am a traveler(on a boat) and cannot find a dentist in the area I'm in,and to even access an emergency dentist I need a postcode and have to pay the standing charge every time a dentist looksat me,how can I recieve ongoing treatment in this situation,i am prepared to /have to pay NHS charges and can stay in an area for 2 weeks at a time

[Maydup]

Firstly make sure you finish the course if antibiotics. They should releive the infection.

Then check here for the nearest NHS dentist to you which has vacancies and pottle up or down river towards them.

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/dentists/Pages/find-an-NHS-dentist.aspx

Once there find out the postcode and create your own address. Eg, The Barge, Riverside, village name, postcode. Bobs your uncle

http://www2.postoffice.co.uk/postcode-finder

Having had every type of tooth ache going, I can sympathise. Alternate taking paracetamol and ibuporfen every few hours along with the antibiotics to releve the pain. Hope you feel better soon.

[Chinajan]

I'm afraid you are only entitled to NHS treatment, medical or dental, if you are 'ordinarily resident' in the UK. [There are some exceptions, for instance if you are registered as resident in another EU state you would be entitled to emergency treatment, or if you are someone who has been previously resident for a number of years but is now resident elsewhere in the world]. Ordinary residence would be a proper address at which you are paying [for instance] Council Tax.

[waterbitch]

in answer to chinajan I AM AN ENGLISH TAX PAYING RESIDENT I JUST LIVE ON A BOAT ON THE CANALS

[lady-janine]

good luck waterbitch.

some people know how to lose friends very quickly.

[lady-janine]

i am a long way from you so think I had better shout - GOOD LUCK AND HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER SOON,

[tamborine]

Keep applying Sensodyne toothpaste on area till you get to a dentist. Most dentists charge private rates even if NHS. Try A&E, you could be lucky?

[bednobs]

you might have to se a private dentist.

[Maydup]

No need to go private, there are NHS dentists in every area. At worse, you pay £18.80 for an emergency appointment, but I that's what you've done already and now need to regitster with a dentist. Have you had any luck finding one waterbitCh? Want a hand?

[Chinajan]

Oh I must have misunderstood your initial post where you said you didn't have a postcode. If you are resident and a taxpayer then when you go to the emergency NHS dentist while on your travels you should give the residential address with which you are registered at Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

[Maydup]

I don't think the dentist will be intersted in the relationship between a patient and HMRC Chinajan, they'll probably need an NI number that's all.

[Chinajan]

maydup, please see my first answer for the conditions you have to fulfil to be entitled to NHS treatment. The OP is having problems because the dentist is rightly asking for a residential address, as is required of him/her.

[Maydup]

Living on a canal boat does not exclude you from NHS dental treatment Chinajan; stop being so prejudice.

[Chinajan]

Please try to understand: I am quoting regulations for entitlement to NHS treatment, these are not my personal opinions.

[Maydup]

What regulations do you mean. Link?

All UK residents are entitled to free NHS care. There are guidelines in place to cover people with “no fixed abode” which states that not having a permanent address should not be a barrier to treatment.

[Mamyalynne]

There are guidelines built into the system for both Doctors and Dentists to treat patients presenting with no fixed abode.

I think your problem may be that a course of treatment may take longer than two weeks so will be difficult to be fulfilled at the one practice unless you can stay put for a while.

[Mamyalynne]

Snap!!

[waterbitch]

In answer to chinajan,the tax man uses my son's address for c/o postal communications,he lives 400 miles away and delivers the post when he visits every 3/6 months,this address is of no use when I need medical treatment as is not acceptable to the NHS and I've even been told 'well you'll have to go there then'!!! it is not illegal to live on a boat or even be homeless.