A Birmingham GP surgery which has been inundated with a ‘high number’ of dentist-related appointment requests this summer holidays has offered advice as to what to do.

West Heath Surgery has received scores of calls over toothache, swollen gums, dental infections and abscesses.

However, GP practices are unable to provide dental advice or prescribe treatment for dental conditions as dentistry is a separate area of healthcare.

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Instead it advises patients should contact their local dentist or if they don’t have one outside normal hours ring NHS 111 for assistance.

West Heath Surgery on West Heath Road -Credit:Google

West Heath Surgery on West Heath Road -Credit:Google

In a statement, the city surgery, situated on West Heath Road, issued an urgent notice which said: “We are currently receiving a high number of appointment requests for dental problems. Please note that GP practices are unable to provide dental advice or prescribe treatment for dental conditions.

“To help us keep appointments available for patients who need GP care, please ensure you contact the appropriate dental service for any dental concerns.”

In a statement, it said: “We have recently seen an increase in patients contacting the practice about dental problems such as toothache, swollen gums, dental infections, and abscesses. We understand these symptoms can be very painful and distressing, and we want to make sure you receive the most appropriate care as quickly as possible.

“Dental problems should be assessed and treated by a dentist. GPs are not trained, qualified, or insured to diagnose or treat dental conditions, as dentistry is a separate area of healthcare. This means that we are unable to provide definitive treatment for dental problems.

“Although it may seem helpful to prescribe antibiotics, they are not appropriate for most dental conditions and are often not the correct treatment.

“Current NHS guidance recommends that dental infections are assessed by a dentist, who can identify the cause of the problem and provide the appropriate treatment. Antibiotics are only needed in specific circumstances and should not be used as a substitute for dental care.

“We kindly ask that patients do not book GP appointments for dental problems or describe symptoms in a way that suggests the problem is not dental in order to obtain an appointment. Doing so reduces the availability of appointments for patients with medical conditions who need to be seen by a GP.”

Guidance if you have a dental problem

  • Contact your own dentist as your first point of contact.

  • If you do not have a dentist, or you need urgent dental care outside normal opening hours, contact NHS 111 by calling 111 or using the NHS 111 online service. They can assess your symptoms and direct you to an appropriate urgent dental service.

  • While waiting to see a dentist, you may be able to manage discomfort with over-the-counter pain relief, taken according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Warm salt water mouth rinses may also help soothe sore gums (unless otherwise advised by a healthcare professional).

The surgery said that by accessing the right service for your dental problem, you are more likely to receive the most appropriate treatment without unnecessary delay.