Today as we went about seeing patients, we were alerted that two patients had arrived simultaneously with dental emergencies.  One of the patients had been released from a local hospital emergency room and was sent our way because the patient was complaining of oral pain.

Just as doctors in an emergency room do, we dentists spring into action and our adrenaline starts pumping when we are faced with a dental emergency.  Time is of the essence.  Time and effectiveness in a short amount of time can mean the difference between saving a tooth . . . or not.  We do not enjoy the pain that our patients suffer during such emergencies but we enjoy the opportunity to thoroughly treat those patients in order to make a lasting difference in their lives.

Today was the same.  We rushed.  We made room.  We shuffled our schedule all so that these patients could be seen in a timely fashion that would benefit their oral health and end their pain.

If you have a dental emergency, do not hesitate to contact your dentist as soon as the crisis - or pain - occurs.  Do not hesitate to drop what you are doing to get to your dentist's office to alleviate your suffering.  After all, your dentist should be willing to do the same.  (In having said that, please reserve "emergency dental care" for those who are truly in an emergency situation.  Contact your dentist and thoroughly explain your situation so that the dentist fully understands the issues you are facing.)