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Elderly Father traumatised

T

Trublu

Junior member
Joined
Sep 28, 2020
Messages
6
Location
London
My elderly father has dementia, still knows what’s happening around him but I have to keep reminding him of things.

However, my Father was allocated an emergency Dentist due to toothache; after treatment, the Dentist advised, what remained of his teeth be removed, stating it’ll have to be at the Hospital due to his age and medication; although the emergency Dentist referred him to a specialist clinic, who also advised, he have what remained of his teeth removed and also stating, it’ll be done at the Hospital and, he was referred back to the emergency Dentist.

The emergency Dentist never referred my Father to the Hospital when they should have done and by the time they did, in the middle of his treatment; the Coronavirus lockdown was implemented, which meant the process has been all the more traumatic.

However, now with all his teeth removed and at an appointment back at the Emergency Dentist, my Father has become agitated by how he was treated by the Dentist and he doesn’t want to go back.

He is unhappy that he wasn’t provided with a cover to protect his clothing during treatment, he was held down and forced to repeatedly gag whilst moulds for both dentures was taken, he wasn’t provided with a drink to rinse his mouth out; I had to ask for water, which was ignored, I also had to ask for a bib to protect his clothing and I was given a ripped piece of kitchen type roll; nor was my Father cleaned up after his treatment; thus, leaving the Dentist room with remnants of mould making substance in his mouth, all around his chin, neck and clothing; I had to clean my father’s face.

I too, am unhappy with his treatment but my Father is traumatised by it; more than his 5 visits to Hospital to remove all his teeth.
Now he’s refusing to visit this Dentist, demanding we go elsewhere; he has also remembered they failed to refer him to the Hospital for treatment when they should have done back in August last year (2019).

I’m aware this is not a phobia as such but I don’t know where else to turn to; I’ve searched online and made phone calls and, all I’ve been advised, is to complain in writing to the Dentist or visit a Drop in Clinic at a Dental Hospital which is miles away.

I’m fearful to complain in writing in case my Fathers treatment is jeopardise; I would much rather he visit a different Dentist but as he’s not in pain, he’s not entitled to treatment...... so much for being a WW2 veteran.

My Father’s original Dentist, kind of, struck him off their books, so to speak, because I was unable to take him to check ups whilst recovering from surgery; we never failed to attend appointments, we didn’t make any, because we couldn’t attend.
 
Hi Trublu:welcome:,

wow, what a story.. :( this is awful and definitely not how a dental treatment should work, no matter whether the patient is 6, 30 or 80 and what their mental status is.. I am so sorry the treatment of your father went like this. You say this is no phobia, but looking at what had happened, what else would be behind the unwillingness to go back, if not fear.. you described the experience as traumatising and that's pretty accurate.

I was wondering, what options do you realistically have in this situation? My first thought would be to find a different place and even more - informing them about what had happened previously and make sure they treat your father gently and with respect.

When it comes to a complaint, I know this is difficult and complaints can take a lot of energy. I see your concern about the running treatment being jeopardised, but looking at how the treatment went, I an wondering whether you really would like to go back..

This is just my humble input, sadly I don't have any experience in complaints and am not familiar with the system in UK, but hope you get a reply from other members soon.

All the best wishes
 
Hi Trublu:welcome:,

This is just my humble input, sadly I don't have any experience in complaints and am not familiar with the system in UK, but hope you get a reply from other members soon.

All the best wishes

Thanks for your response Enarete.

I didn’t know this wasn’t a UK forum.

However, in the UK, our Dental treatment, is meant to be provided, at a heavily subsidised cost via the NHS; although Dentist are reluctant to take on NHS patients.
Since myself and my Father were struck off from our original Dentist nearly six years ago; we’ve struggled to find a Dentist which accepts NHS patients and we can’t afford Dental treatment otherwise.

Initially, as my Father was in pain and suffering from Toothache, he was allocated to an Energency Dentist (incidentally, my Father is 96) but now, as he’s not in pain and currently receiving treatment from the emergency Dentist; the dept (via the NHS) which organised this, can’t help, because my Father is not in pain.

So, it’s a matter of phoning around for a Dentist that will accept NHS patients.

Currently and, just like it has been during the last 6 years; I can’t find a Dentist local to my Father and myself that will accept NHS patients.

Due to the emergency Dentist failing to refer my Father to Hospital when they should have done and the Coronavirus; my Father has been unable to wear his partial Denture since January; he has been unable to eat what he would normally eat for roughly 10 months.
 
Thank you for explaining the background. We are an internetional forum based in UK, but our volunteers are from all over the world, so I happen to be in Europe and while roughly familiar with NHS and private care in UK and Scotland, I wasn't sure what the way to go in your case would be.

I know finding a dentist who accepts NHS patients may be difficult and even more so these days but please, but keeping my fingers crossed for you to find someone. I was wondering whether getting in touch with the Community Dental Service may be helpful (see here)?
 
I was wondering whether getting in touch with the Community Dental Service may be helpful (see here)?

The Specialist clinic, which I mentioned in my first post, which the emergency Dentist referred my Father to, is the Community Dental Service; who made the referral for treatment at the Hospital, although my Father was referred back to the emergency Dentist, for them to referred him to the Hospital but didn’t.
Since, the Community Dental Service has been taken over by an different organisation; it was them who advised, I make a complaint, go private or visit the drop in Dental Hospital; advising to get there early, as those seeking treatment begin queuing from 5am ?

However, I’ll give the new organisation another call.

Thanks again for your help.
 
Hi Trublu

Just wanted to say so sorry what happened to your father, that is awful. What a run around and frustrating and disheartening.. and how they were so sloppy towards him and such an uncaring manner.. Personally knowing people on the board of dentistry here in US. the way he was treated I think i would be worth filing a report . It would at least fall under the category of unprofessional conduct.. at the very least I would think. and hope they should know that this is not acceptable.

I think if they keep treating people like this and no one says anything they just keep doing it.

I know like Enarete says it is quite a bit of energy and time to do this.. but it might be worth it. for many reasons.

Regardless, I really wish your father could get some kind care soon!!
 
Hi,

Have you tried a different community dental service? Maybe one further away from where your dad lives? I wonder if its worth speaking to them again and also PALS?
 
Sorry for not responding but due to the risk with Coronavirus and my Father’s age, we’ve decided to wait until the risk was lessened; although it appears, the Coronavirus is here to stay.

Some months ago, we reluctantly returned to the Emergency Dentist for my Fathers Denture fitting and my Father instantly noticed his new dentures were too big, his lips stick to the dentures, especially his top lip, they also make his face look like he’s wearing comedy teeth and more importantly, he can’t eat or chew when wearing them.

During his fitting, we mentioned the appearance and the sticking lips to the Dentist but we was told it’s normal and to see how it goes.

As per usual, the appointment was fraught with mistakes and difficulties.

Initially, during fist couple of months, my Father tried to wear his dentures but they are too big and uncomfortable.

We don’t want to return to the Emergency Dentist....
So, other than going private, does anyone know what options are available?

Although this maybe difficult to understand, but why should my Father be forced to pay privately, when it’s meant to be available on the NHS and he’s paid into the system all his working life ?
 
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Sorry to hear about the ongoing problems ?. Another option would be a "regular" NHS dentist who is taking on patients, and who has an interest in helping people with dementia.

Or else you could see a clinical dental technician directly and see if they can adjust the dentures, or remake them - that would probably be the quickest solution, if you feel your father could cope. In the UK, dental technicians can provide a full set of dentures (NOT partials dentures though!) directly without you having to see your dentist. Your father should still have regular dental check-ups to make sure his soft tissues are ok, and to screen for mouth cancer. Some of our forum members who've had problems with NHS dentures but who couldn't afford private treatment went the technician route (which tends to be cheaper) and it worked out well for them.
 
Ok; I’ll look into your suggestion regarding a Dental Technician, thanks.
 
Best of luck - please keep us updated ?!
 
Sorry for not providing an update sooner.


However, by the end of 2021 and just before Christmas, my Father acquired his new set of dentures.

Thanks to the Community Dentist.

My Fathers treatment there was so enjoyable, he actually looked forward to visits, there was no anxiety or feeling agitated before his appointments.

The Dentist, her assistants and also the receptionists were so helpful, understanding and accommodating.

My Father endured many mouldings and test fittings and each procedure was performed with care, compassion, empathy and most of all, gentleness; the Dentist, even singing silly songs to distract my Father whilst taking moulds.

His denture fit perfectly, and without making his facial features look unrecognisable.

My Father has had no issues or any reason to return to the Dentist since his final fitting.


Also, as my Father is in receipt of Pension Credit, all cost incurred was met by the NHS.
 
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