A good visit to the dentist

[AussieNeil]

A molar with an old amalgam filling began aching and became rather sensitive to hot and cold drinks a few days ago. When the back of my neck began aching as well, triggering concerns of developing neutropenic sepsis, I decided a visit to the dentist couldn't be ignored. Having moved recently, I hadn't yet visited a local dentist, but had ensured my previous records had been transferred. Being well into severity level 4 neutropenia, (Absolute Neutrophil Count 0.26 in last week's blood test), preparation involved filling a script for a prophylactic antibiotic. My specialist prescribes one 500mg Azithromycin 'Zedd' tablet taken 30 to 60 minutes before the appointment. (Your specialist will probably recommend something else if your compromised immune system warrants it, but I'm limited in what antibiotics I can take.) The local chemist apologised for the cost - about $5 per tablet, as Azithromycin isn't subsidised by Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and provided me with an information sheet, which among other things, advised me to avoid sun exposure - which wasn't likely given we need to be careful about developing skin cancers with CLL.

When I rang the dental surgery to book the appointment, I asked for the dentist to ring me back so I could explain my risk of infection and that I was taking a prophylactic antibiotic prescribed by my specialist. I also asked if I could stay in a room other than the waiting room.

When I was about to walk out the door to go to the dentist, I received a call from the clinic, asking if I could arrive 15 minutes later, with the receptionist apologetic that they were running a bit behind. When I finally arrived, I'd barely entered the reception area, when I was whisked into an empty room by the receptionist. I was very relieved to see a range of hand washing lotions and alcohol gel at the hand washing basin.

I didn't have long to wait. The dentist was pleased that I had taken the prophylactic antibiotic recommended by my specialist and accepted a copy of my latest blood count results for my file. Thankfully an overall oral exam (including pictures of my teeth and gums) followed by particular attention to the offending tooth, including an X-ray and pulp/nerve vitality test, didn't find anything of concern. I was pleased to see my new dentist has a digital radiography unit rather than the old film X-ray technology, as these reduce radiation exposure to around 30% of that used in film X-rays as well as providing other benefits: canadianacademyofdentalhygi... I was provided with a lead apron to cover my torso, but that wasn't really necessary in my opinion. One CT scan involves about 2,000 (film x-ray) to 6,000 (digital x-ray) times as much radiation as one intra-oral x-ray. In background radiation terms, that's the equivalent of 3 years compared to about one day's background radiation! (Ironically, there is the danger of the lower radiation exposure with digital x-rays perhaps encouraging greater use, but I was pleased that my dentist conservatively only x-rayed the quadrant of my mouth containing the suspect molar.)

When I settled the account, the receptionist had even wiped down a pen with antibacterial wipe for me to sign the receipt!

Now if only all dentist visits could go as well as that!

Neil

PS1 Chaya Venkat of CLLTopics/Updates fame, considers that her husband fatally succumbed to an infection passed on by a doctor's tie, which transferred bacteria from another patient when the doctor bent over the patient. You can't be too careful when your immune system is struggling.

PS2 This post is not closed to this community; I'm dropping a card into my dentist tomorrow, thanking him and his staff for taking those extra precautions to protect me from infection. I'm including a link to this post in the card.

Photo: Raindrops on an anterrhinum (snap dragon) flower

[cllady01 Former Volunteer]

Wow, Thanks for the play-by-play. What a great experience to have such cooperation and proactive service. I am glad your concern was taken seriously and that the outcome was less severe than you thought it might be.

[PaulaS Volunteer]

Hi Neil,

Thanks for sharing the interesting details of your dentist encounter. It shows us how things could and should be done - especially if we become as seriously low in neutrophils as you are...

It's good that the dentist "didn't find anything of concern", but doesn't that still leave you with an aching and sensitive molar, not knowing what's causing the aching etc?

Hoping the tooth behaves itself in future,

Best wishes,

Paula

P.S. Fantastic photo! I love the raindrops - like jewels in a crown!

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to PaulaS]

Thanks Paula,

I should have mentioned that the dentist pointed out that my gum line was a bit low around the sensitive molar, which is probably making the tooth extra sensitive. I think my neck aches are probably due to sleeping poorly on a firmer pillow than I'm used to, since swapped out.

[PaulaS Volunteer in reply to AussieNeil]

Ah, good to have a reason for the sensitivity (and neck ache), Neil. Did the dentist recommend one of these special toothpastes to help? Here in the UK, I've used "Sensodyne" toothpaste and it really does make a difference.

[Newdawn Administrator]

Excellent feedback Neil and it certainly exemplifies the kind of dental treatment we should expect to receive with a compromised immune system.

Your surgery should be proud to be offering that attention to detail and responsive patient care.

Newdawn

[Hidden]

I am impressed by the cleaning of the pen. They know what they are doing. I always carry my own pen to sign in and sign out. If I do touch the communal pen, I find hand sanitizer.

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Taking out my mini sanitiser gel dispenser in readiness to clean my hands after using the pen was what prompted the receptionist to inform me she that had already wiped it down. I've found that even if I carry my own pen, the habit of picking up a provided pen is so automatic that it's easier to just use alcohol based hand gel to clean my hands after leaving any business premises. That also takes care of any bugs I might have picked up touching anything else.

[Peggy4]

Great to hear of your good experience Neil. Mine is very good too and the hygienist has upped my visits to keep an eye on things.

[neurodervish]

Thanks for sharing this. Definitely a teachable moment.

I was in line at a bank recently when a man in front of me asked to borrow the pen I was holding. (???) Well, politeness seemed to dictate that I hand it over. I watched appalled as he stuck it in his mouth while contemplating some numbers, then placed it over his ear, and finally walked off without returning it. No problem, since I didn't want it back. Ack! I'm keeping my pens to myself from now on.

[wmay13241]

Our oncologist recommended teeth cleaning every 3 months vice the normal every 6 months.