London UK help

[Susan C.]

Hello,

Do any of you know of a dentist/doctor/etc. that has a good reputation to put a dislocated jaw back in place? Its a friend, and she has been successfully treated in the past for TMJ, just a relaspe, she has a splint, but can't open her mouth enough to get it in.

 

Thanks for any recommendations you can offer. She went to ER, just pain relief was offered.

[Laura Corin]

I don't have a recommendation, but her local GP practice should see her.  Some areas also have walk-in clinics where it might be easier to get an appointment.  If she Googles GP practices and walk in clinics in her borough, she should find one.

 

If she wants to see a specialist (as opposed to a GP) then she will have to go to a private one if she needs an instant appointment.  For that I'd do a Google search like this one.

 

I'm thinking that the problem might be a difference in protocol between the US and the UK.  Looking at the NHS website, I can't see a mention of splints.

 

ETA: no, I'm wrong.  Splints are on this page.

 

L

[Susan C.]

Thanks Laura, she is a US citizen, at college. I saw patient.uk mention it, but they didn't seem favorable to splinting. It definitely worked for her, its just a relaspe. She will limp along until she comes home if no one with a very good recommendation is found. They drove hours here for treatment, so it isn't common in our area either.

[Susan C.]

Bumping

[Laura Corin]

Thanks Laura, she is a US citizen, at college. I saw patient.uk mention it, but they didn't seem favorable to splinting. It definitely worked for her, its just a relaspe. She will limp along until she comes home if no one with a very good recommendation is found. They drove hours here for treatment, so it isn't common in our area either.

 

As you probably know, the UK health system works by referral.  Most Brits (and your friend if she is resident) will go to their GP for everything apart from an emergency.  The GP will then refer them on to a specialist as necessary.

 

So unless she happens to find a good private specialist, the best way for her to access one is to go to her GP and get a referral.  At that point, she can say to her GP (if she has the necessary insurance and wants to see someone fast) 'Could you make a private referral to the best person you know; I have insurance to cover it.'  That should speed things up.  I have done this in the past.  She might still not find someone who uses the protocol that she is used to, but by working within the usual system, she has a better chance...

 

I'm sorry she's going through this - it sounds horrid.

 

L