Is it possible to find a dentist in a pinch when out of state or away on business? Imagine this scenario: You have flown 300 miles away for a business trip and now there is an aching molar or broken crown to handle along with work obligations! Before spiraling into a panic, understand that there are several options available for patients who need to find a dentist quickly.
While any dental problem that takes place away from home can feel like an emergency, it is important for patients to distinguish whether the current situation is a true emergency that warrants quick attention or whether it is simply an inconvenience.
An inconvenience can wait until the person returns home; an emergency calls for a patient to locate the nearest dentist as soon as possible. An urgent dental situation usually involves one of the following situations:
Emergency-level pain can strike suddenly and quickly. If the patient is experiencing a minor ache that has been there for a few days, waiting until the return home may be a better choice; however, in the case of a sudden, sharp pain that makes concentrating impossible, it is a better choice to find a dentist while out of town.
If a patient has fallen or has been involved in another type of accident and broken a tooth, the broken piece should be saved if possible and assessed by a qualified dentist for reattachment. Saving the tooth is not always possible, but the dentist should assess for damage to surrounding tissues and nerves.
A spot of blood while flossing is not an emergency situation — but swollen gums that are bleeding heavily may indicate an infection. Get to the dentist as soon as possible if these symptoms pop up while working out of town.
When stuck in an emergency dental situation, patients may turn to family or friends in the area to locate the right provider. If the patient knows nobody in the area, asking managers or work supervisors at the local branch of the company that sponsored the work trip may do the trick.
If neither are options for the patient, a quick internet search and a few phone calls could turn up a dentist who holds emergency hours, which often include late night or weekend appointment times reserved for patients with immediate dental needs. Patients should inquire whether the dentist takes their insurance. If not, there may be an option to set up a payment plan if the damage or procedure is expensive. If the patient does not have insurance, a local dental school or community clinic may be able to offer treatment at a reduced cost.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Find a Dentist in Los Angeles, CA
While having a dental problem when out of town is never an ideal situation, using connections in the area or simply calling around can turn up a dentist who is able to fix the problem quickly. It is possible to find a great dentist who offers emergency hours in most areas.
Request an appointment or call Allure Dentistry at 310-683-5321 for an appointment in our Los Angeles office.
It can become necessary to find a dentist quickly when a dental emergency occurs while on vacation. While this is a scenario that few vacationers anticipate, it is something that anyone should prepare for while making vacation plans. There are also things that patients can do in advance to decrease the chances of a dental…
The busyness of moving to a new city can make it easy to forget about routine dental checkups. However, it is important to find a dentist as soon as you relocate to a new area so there is no lapse between six-month cleanings and examinations. It is also necessary to have a dentist lined up…
Dental health is a critical component of overall health, so patients need to find a dentist to coordinate regular preventative care and be the go-to person for dental procedures or emergencies. There are multiple options for people who need to find a new dentist.The process of finding a dentist generally begins with searching for dental…
Routine dental care is one of the most important factors contributing to good dental health. While going to the dentist twice a year is the standard rule of thumb, the frequency of the visits ultimately depends on the patient's needs and the recommendation of the dentist. Learn how often routine care should be scheduled and…
Many people undergo teeth whitening procedures to make their smile look healthier and to increase their self-esteem. Although this procedure is largely painless unless you have very sensitive teeth, it is common to question the safety of products used to whiten your teeth. The safety of whitening procedures depends on many factors. Here are some common…