A TEENAGER suffering from agonising toothache had to wait five days for emergency treatment – and even travelled to Hull in search of a dentist.
Samantha Donnison, 16, was struck down with toothache last Thursday which was so severe she was unable to eat and even had trouble swallowing.
Her frantic mum, 44-year-old Jane Pryor, tried to get her daughter seen to immediately, but when she ran
g Bridlington Hospital for an appointment she was told that there was not an emergency dentist available until the following week.
After taking her daughter to the doctor, Miss Pryor was advised to ring the NHS Helpline and managed to arrange for an emergency dental appointment in Hull last Saturday.
However, once there, Samantha – a student at East Riding College – was in so much pain she was unable to open her mouth for a full examination so was sent home with some antibiotics.
After taking her daughter to the doctor again on Monday for more anti-biotics, Miss Pryor finally managed to make an appointment for her daughter at the Oasis Dental Centre in Bessingby Road on Tuesday – five days after Samantha's toothache started.
Miss Pryor said that it was unbelievable her daughter was left to suffer for so long.
"By the end she hadn't had any sleep in five days, she couldn't swallow so hadn't eaten either and I just couldn't believe the trouble we'd had trying to find someone to help," she said.
Throughout the whole ordeal Miss Pryor had rung 12 different numbers, including Bridlington Hospital, dentists in Driffield and Bridlington, the NHS Helpline and the emergency appointment line Dial-a-Dentist, in an effort get her daughter treated.
"Have you ever watched your child in so much pain without being able to help?
"Well I don't recommend it. It's heartbreaking." said Miss Pryor, who added she was 'utterly disgusted' with the whole system.
A spokesperson for the Dental Access Service for Hull and East Riding, said Miss Donnison had commenced a course of dental treatment at Bridlington Dental Access Centre but had failed to attend an appointment in August to complete the treatment.
"Records show that on the day Miss Donnison contacted Bridlington Dental Access Centre the emergency dentist was unfortunately absent due to sickness.
"However, she was provided with contact numbers for both NHS Direct and the Driffield Dental Access Centre as a means of sourcing emergency treatment at an alternative location."
All of the area's Dental Access Centres are committed to ensuring patients are able to access emergency dental treatment within 24 hours.
Last month, its Community Dental Service assisted more than 4,915 people to access emergency care within this 24 hour timescale.
