Do I see my GP or dentist for an oral health concern?

Posted by TinkyEffingWinky@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 23 comments

I hope this is allowed - I've done my research and also searched previous posts here, but I can't find a definitive answer; even the NHS website doesn't tell me which one I'm actually supposed to contact in this scenario, it just says to see one or the other. The issue is not teeth-related, so it's not technically dentistry that's needed; but I've read conflicting things about whether GP will look in your mouth or not. My GP is local (obviously) and has good availability; my dentist is 90km and away and does not, hence me trying to figure out if I can go to the GP instead. Thanks in advance.

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23 Comments

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Working_Document_541@reddit

If in doubt, go to the Pharmacy. The Pharmacist can point you in the right direction. Or you could call 111, there's always a Duty doctor/nurse/paramedic on call who can help diagnose and at worse can arrange for a GP appointment.

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Pale_Slide_3463@reddit

You didn’t even tell us what’s the issue haha. Mouth ulcers, oral thrush stuff like that the GP can help because we can’t even buy oral thrush from the chemist you need a prescription. They can also offer steroid inhalers is mouth ulcers not healing. Dentists are great for getting work done but anything that is happening that’s medical caused by another illness not so much. They can give tips and tricks that they might think would work. Tbh could just try both but idk what’s up with you

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TinkyEffingWinky@reddit (OP)

Ah, sorry, didn't know if that would be considered TMI on the sub or not. I've got a weird white splodge on my tongue that I want checked out as it's been hanging around for a good couple of months. Probably nothing but I used to be a smoker so I don't believe in taking chances lol

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verykindzebra@reddit

Sorry to say this but my best friend had oral cancer that was something similar, it was spotted by his dentist, who sent him urgently to his doctor. My friend is fine now - even if it is that it's very treatable.

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seraseraphine196@reddit

I work in ENT at a hospital. Go to GP. They will likely but not 100% refer you to a 2 week wait ENT clinic - don’t panic tho!! And you’ll see a maxillofacial doctor who will be able to advise ☺️

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Pale_Slide_3463@reddit

You probably could go to either tbh lol

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TinkyEffingWinky@reddit (OP)

Yeah this is what Google is telling me, I just wondered if there's a 'right' answer 😅

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Pale_Slide_3463@reddit

I would start with the GP since it’s closer and see what they say and they can be like go to dentist lol I went to my GP first with mouth ulcers

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TinkyEffingWinky@reddit (OP)

Good call, think I'll do that. Thanks!

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FunnyNectarine1445@reddit

You can go to both

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TinkyEffingWinky@reddit (OP)

Thank you!

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Valuable-Wallaby-167@reddit

You can buy oral thrush treatment without a prescription. Not really sure why you'd want to buy oral thrush tbh.

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Pale_Slide_3463@reddit

You can’t for your mouth well not in Northern Ireland anyways was told needed a prescription from the GP. Sadly some medications like steroids can cause this

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Valuable-Wallaby-167@reddit

You definitely can in the rest of the UK, you don't even have to have a pharmacist look at you. You can use oral thrush treatment to treat small animals for ringworm & it's honestly more effective than anything licenced for them. I've gone into a pharmacy several times asking for daktarin for my poor old mum who has oral thrush (sorry mum) and never had any problems getting it.

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HeriotAbernethy@reddit

Try a pharmacist first. They will either sell you something over the counter or tell you to see your dentist or, probably more likely, GP.

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Dru2021@reddit

Get the duo pack treatment, swallow the pill and chew the pessary. (Please don’t actually do that)

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TinkyEffingWinky@reddit (OP)

Chew the pessary? With these dodgy teeth!?

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Dru2021@reddit

You’re going to have to boof it, if jackass is anything to go by, try getting to the halfway mark of a backwards roll and then just pop it in (or have a friend do it).

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TinkyEffingWinky@reddit (OP)

A mate of mine does owe me a favour. Clearly time to call it in

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Dru2021@reddit

Who needs friends when you have enemas!

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TinkyEffingWinky@reddit (OP)

I regret that I have but one upvote to give you

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Geezso@reddit

Dentist

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