When going dental stops you going mental (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

When going dental stops you going mental

2:23pm Monday 23rd July 2007

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My dentist has recently gone private but is still keen to treat youngsters on the NHS and for this I was truly grateful recently.

My four-year-old son fell ill with what seemed at first to be a simple childhood fever. But when, after a few day he failed to get any better, and severe ulcers developed on his tongue and gums, we were forced to seek medical assistance.

Extremely worried by his condition, our GP sent him to hospital for blood tests.

This, of course, sent me and my husband into a panic - our minds were running riot as to what could be causing his ill health.

By coincidence, while we were waiting for the test results, Charlie was due to see the dentist for a routine check-up. Despite him being extremely poorly, I decided to take him the five-minute walk to the surgery, because the illness was, afterall, affecting his mouth.

Within minutes the dentist said he was sure Charlie was suffering from a common viral infection which would run its course within days - I can't tell you the feeling of relief his reassurances gave me.

And sure enough, the GP called the next day to say Charlie's blood tests had come back clear - there was no sinister underlying cause of his ulcers.

Within the next couple of days the ulcers began to clear up and I had my cheeky little boy back.

I now wish I had consulted the dentist first, which would have saved Charlie the pain of having blood taken and would have saved the whole family days of worry.

Even though the GP was extremely caring and professional the experience really brought home to me the vital role dentists play in our overall healthcare - they are experts in all oral health matters and not just there to cure tooth ache.

The fact that many people in Bradford and Airedale are denied that expert care because of a lack of dental places is a true scandal and one which needs to be rectified at the earliest opportunity.