Paul Bromley wrote:
> How do we deal with this problem without confrontation??
I deal with it by seeing the patient. If I confirm the symptoms appear, in
my medical opinion, to be dental in origin, I then explain that dental
problems need dental assessment. If the patient requests a prescription for
antibiotics, as they usually do, I explain that there is very clear guidance
that antibiotics should not be prescribed without a prior dental assessment
that concludes it is appropriate and as a doctor rather than a dentist I am
not qualified to make that assessment. Some accept this, some don't. Quite a
few confess, with a little gentle cajolling, that they lied to reception and
haven't contacted a dentist and thought that they could avoid doing so 'but
if you really think it is necessary I'll have to'.
Andy
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