Week 14 - Wednesday - Dental Awareness of HepC
I have just returned from a first appointment with my dentist to have a crown on one of my teeth - an appointment originally scheduled during the time I had the Bell’s Palsy (and obviously deferred).
Of course I was interested to test what level of awareness about Hepatitis C there is within my dental surgery. My dentist’s response about their safeguards to minimize the risk of infection and co-infection of blood-borne diseases generally struck me as comprehensive, well informed and considered. He even referred to their consideration of the risks involved in using the same pen throughout the day in the surgery. I was both reassured and confident that all reasonable precautions are taken to protect both patients and staff at my dental practice.
It made me think about my GP’s surgery in comparison. I cannot recall any information or conversations with professionals there which gave me a similar reassurance. Amongst other indicators I have looked for - there are no posters or information about HepC or the FaCe It campaign evident in the practice. My continuing impression is that there is not that same level of awareness about HepC generally within the practice. This may be unfair - I have no evidence that they haven’t considered all these issues within their practice. However, the same person (me) discussing the issue in two different surgeries produced two very different responses - only one of which left me reassured and confident.
It makes me wonder if I should offer to give a talk to staff at my GP surgery about HepC! The NHS has rolled out an awareness programme for healthcare professionals as part of the FaCe It campaign, but it isn’t evident that it has reached professionals within my GP practice.
The rest of my dental appointment went well, by the way, and was remarkably pain free. I have a temporary crown fitted and go back in a fortnight for the fitting of the permanent crown. I have to say I did notice - no flinch at all when it was time for the needle to “freeze” my gums! I do seem to be getting used to needles. (Should I class this as a side-effect of treatment??)
February 17th, 2005 at 5:07 am
Yes Ron, sadly your observations about the surgery are the common rule.
I am about to blog my whole experience at paulwilcox.blogspot.com but suffice to say in passing that doctors surgery knew and still know nothing about hepc.
In all fairness to my doctor he admits his ignorance, bows to my superior knowledge in this narrow field and just asks me what I want and gives it to me.
I can`t ask for more really.
What is frightening though is that my doctor took the hepc+ result so lightly that I nearly didn`t go to my initial specialists appointment!!!
Thanks for your email.
I now manage the riba-rage by not going out unless accompanied.
Yes it really is that bad.
The problem is that you never know when it is going to hit you - but when it does it is like a force taking over your entire emotional
system.
More of this in my blog.
Just an aside to you and your readers - the power of blogging has been revealed in the last few days.
Because of comments in a blog a big cheese from CNN News has had to resign.
Hey, we have real power here!!!
Onwards and upwards,
Paul.
February 17th, 2005 at 10:12 am
Ron,
My dentist always has me as the last appointment of the day. Being a heamophiliac I am now on the public health at risk register for CJD, so I am unsure whether is is fear of mad cow disease or hep c that warrants this treatment. Either way it seems a good plan.
I also wanted to respond to the comments about breathlessness and exercise. I get breathless climbing stairs, not mad panting but I do have to take a pause to catch up. Even so I can swim 1,000 metres, I think that climbing stairs is not enough exercise and that perhaps if you warm up slowly you will be fine exercising. I also think it is a good idea to try and push a little bit, perhaps getting back into the yoga classes.
I have to admit yoga has been on my list of things to try for some time, who knows once I get over treatment and get my life back I may find the time to fit it in.
All the best
Jonathan
February 17th, 2005 at 10:21 am
Hi Ron,
My dentist is clued up and gives me the last apointment of the day. Local TV news has just run a piece about a doctor who was found to have HCV, and they are contacting past patients just in case. Unfortunately they stated that HCV could be cured with antibiotics! GP surgeries are not the only ones to get it wrong!
February 23rd, 2005 at 12:17 pm
What is interesting about your comments on the dentist - several people I know in my HepC Support Group complain about the discrimination they suffer at the hands of their dentists. They are made to come at the end of the day or just before lunch! They feel the dentist is saying their disease is so dangerous the surgery has to be specially cleaned down after them which they are only prepared to do at the end of the surgery session - hence last appt’s. My dentist told me they treat me and all patients with the same level of care around hygiene, so it doesn’t matter what time of the day I come - the procedures after my visit are the same as after other patients.
August 11th, 2005 at 11:40 am
Dear Sir / Madam
I belong to a group called pals(patients and liaison service) in a hospital in Staffordshire and we are trying to find accurate information on awareness weeks. Can you tell me if you have awareness weeks and if so are they on the same date every year. Thank you for taking time to read this e-mail.
Yours sincerely………..Gill
October 17th, 2005 at 2:06 pm
Hi, Would like to know if you have had dental work while on Tx because i have got a appoiment with mine for a crown and I start tx on wenesday but I feel i CANT NOT WAIT FOR SIX MONTHS SINCE MY TOOTH IS REALLY HURTING
January 18th, 2006 at 3:45 pm
thanks for that ive been staying away from my dentist as i felt a responsabiliy to lower the risk of inadvertedly infecting others
February 16th, 2006 at 11:17 pm
Thank God. I had never seen a dentist. All my teeth are in good condition and I don’t need to see doc anyway.
July 20th, 2006 at 10:49 pm
I’m so confussed, I’ve seen two different peridontist with two different eval. I wasn’t able to talk to the dentist who did my crowns. The one dentist, and two perodntist never mentioned HepC as a factor. They blame my bleeding, bad breath and gum inflamation on the crown/dentist. I’m so glad I recieved yall’s
commment’s. Now I’m confussed post treatment and over 50, and took care of my teeth.
January 27th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
I.m angry. I.m onTx and just been to my regular dental appointment and asked for a routine hygiene /scale to be on safe side - teeth and gums ok so far. Dentist says hes not allowed to treat me himself and referred me to a dental centre who have called me for a consultation and couse of 6 sessions - oh and bring £45 to consultation and they’ll let me know the total cost!! This feel like another kick in the teeth (!) and a con. Anyone else had any other experience or advise?
January 27th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
Hi Sally
I don’t know know the name of the professional body for dentists but it must be on the web…. I would contact them to take advice. It surely can’t be right that the dentist is “not allowed to treat you himself” - if he is referring to your hepc status. I don’t believe that dentists cannot treat people with blood-borne diseases. There may be something in the NICE guidelines about this. I think you should be angry - and you should be saying so.
There is an Advocacy service at The Hepatitis C Trust - contact their helpline on 0870 200 1 200. They can help you work out how and who to be effectively angry with.
Sally, it may also be worth looking at the Hepatitis C Forum I set up - and asking other members if they have had experiences like this with their dentists. The site is at
http://www.ronmetcalfe.com/hepcforum/index.php
Wishing you well
Ron