[canŵio]

I can feel my wisdom teeth coming through; I've been noticing them for about a year now but they've not come through properly, i can just feel the ridges under the skin.

Anyway, they've recently become really painful to the point that it stops me from doing things, and makes my face hurt.

I guess something's not quite right, but my issue is - I can't afford to go to the dentist.
I'm 19 so don't get free treatment anymore. The NHS Price List says that extractions cost £48, and I don't even know how many teeth that's for! I don't have £48.
I don't want to claim benefits because I live with my parents - I don't need or want the money, I just need the exemption from having to pay for dental treatment. plus it is a long process and I really need this sorted, I can't stand the pain.

There is one thing that said 'emergency treament' costs £17, which I don't have right now but could probably borrow. Would having wisdom teeth taken out count as an emergency if I'm in pain? How would I justify the pain to be an emergency?

Any helpful suggestions would be really appreciated.

[Vohamanah]

I don't think it would count as an emergency. An emergency would be something like your tooth breaks, or you get an infection etc. Unless the pain is sudden and crippling (which it doesn't sound like it is if you've managed to put it off for this long) its not going to be an emergency.

Having said that, you should really go to the dentist before it gets any worse. A consultation is £17.50 and they will be able to tell you if you need any teeth extracted. There is a partial funding certificate for people on low income, but I'm not sure you will be entitled if you are living with your parents. Couldn't your parents lend you some money if you're in pain?

[canŵio]

(Original post by Vohamanah)
I don't think it would count as an emergency. An emergency would be something like your tooth breaks, or you get an infection etc. Unless the pain is sudden and crippling (which it doesn't sound like it is if you've managed to put it off for this long) its not going to be an emergency.

Having said that, you should really go to the dentist before it gets any worse. A consultation is £17.50 and they will be able to tell you if you need any teeth extracted. There is a partial funding certificate for people on low income, but I'm not sure you will be entitled if you are living with your parents. Couldn't your parents lend you some money if you're in pain?

i was thinking of getting a check up to see if i needed them taken out, but then i thought if i then need then taken out that's just more money! i won't qualify for a low income anything, as my parents earn more than £25,000 or whatever it is.

i could ask them for the money, but i'd feel really bad asking for £50!

[Vohamanah]

(Original post by canŵio)
i was thinking of getting a check up to see if i needed them taken out, but then i thought if i then need then taken out that's just more money! i won't qualify for a low income anything, as my parents earn more than £25,000 or whatever it is.

i could ask them for the money, but i'd feel really bad asking for £50!

If you do need your wisdom teeth removed it will probably be at an NHS hospital under general anaesthetic, rather than in the dentist surgery, so you would not need to pay for that part, only the £17.50 for the consultation with the dentist, who would then refer you to hospital if necessary.

If you can afford the £17.50 I would make an appointment with the dentist and see what they suggest. If you do need to go back to the dentist for further treatment (rather than to hospital), pay the £17.50 at that appointment, and then ask your parents to lend you £30 for the next appointment and say you will pay them back.

[somethingbeautiful]

Where I live we have a university dental hospital where they train dental students - you can get treatment in there for free regardless of whether or not you're a student/on benefits/have a job - you have to get there mega early and wait a long time, then you're given a ticket and get assessed, if they think you need treatment they will give you treatment. I went with wisdom tooth pain - they assessed me (scanned my teeth) and found out that my teeth were growing sideways instead of up, they cleaned my teeth, gave me Corsodyl and told me if I experienced pain on two more occassions that I could go back and they would remove them for free. Do you not have one of those where you live?

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[The Nosy Gecko]

Mate. I'm not being funny but if you're in pain then ask your parents haha!
I don't like asking my mum for anything as she doesn't earn much and I have my own job; but if i was short of money and i was in pain then my mum would WANT me to ask her...

[Chumbaniya]

Grin and bear it. Well, maybe don't grin as that'll agitate it.