Another dental health and heart opinion

[seasider18]

dailymail.co.uk/health/arti...

[jennydog]

Many thanks for posting this. Dr Scurr is always interesting and informative. When he discusses AF it is obvious that he understands.

[seasider18 in reply to jennydog]

So often his articles apply to us

I like his post scripts at the foot of his page. In one he had spoken of retirement to a colleague who asked him if he had his little box of two black pills to end it all at his time of choosing.

I wonder if they are standard issue to all doctors?

[BobD Volunteer]

Having known somebody who suffered this through many months of treatment it is worth understanding and being aware of.

[seasider18 in reply to BobD]

Before I had my aortic valve replaced in 2012 I went for a dental check up and she said we don't bother too much about that. I mentioned it to the nurse at the pre assessment and got a similar reply.

[irene75359 in reply to seasider18]

I am amazed by that. At my last dental appointment my very young Spanish dentist stressed the importance of regular hygienist appointments and pointed out the link between cracked/infected teeth and heart problems. She x-rays any teeth she is suspicious of and keeps a close eye on the teeth beneath my crowns.

[seasider18 in reply to irene75359]

I gave up on NHS dentists last year and although my new one seems very efficient he did not react much to the mention of it. I said if having injections I would want adrenalin free ones and put on the new patients form that I had a replacement heart valve and was on warfarin at the time.

Actually the hygienist told me that I have very good teeth for my age and have looked after them well.

[irene75359 in reply to seasider18]

My experience is the reverse - we went from private dental care to NHS a few years ago when we moved. The NHS dentist was critical of the care we had had and gave us lots of advice and a treatment plan. We were so impressed the whole family and friends moved with us to the practise. When I told her I had AFib she immediately made a large note on my records - no adrenaline.

[seasider18]

We had a good NHS dentist in Scotland who believed in the NHS and the practice subsidised it from the cosmetic dentistry they did. Here in Sussex they will not do anything that that does not pay enough for the time spent doing it. They would sooner yank a tooth out than save it. If you want better they will give you their private price for doing it.