Growing Number Of Patients Seeing Their GP For Dental Problems
A poll has revealed that GPs are seeing more and more patients with dental problems.
According to a recent survey conducted by ComRes, 87 per cent of GPs felt under pressure to deal with dental health problems, as a growing number of patients are seeing their doctor, rather than their dentist, for issues such as toothache and mouth ulcers.
The survey was conducted for the Association of Dental Groups, an organisation, which represents private dentists in the UK.
The results of the poll are worrying, as doctors are under increasing pressure with rising patient numbers and it is already extremely difficult to get an appointment at many GP practices across the country. Doctors are also lacking the specific training to deal with oral health issues and patients are urged to see their dentist if they have dental problems, as dentists are able to provide the required treatment, rather than temporary solutions, such as painkillers or antibiotics.
David Worskett, chair of the Association of Dental Groups, said that it is important that patients see their dentist if they have dental issues, as they have the relevant expertise to treat oral health problems and patients who need dental treatment will be referred from a GP to a dentist.
Mr Worskett also said that dentists are in the best position to spot signs of oral cancer and encouraged patients to make use of screening initiatives in place all over the UK for Mouth Cancer Action Month, which runs throughout November.
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