The medical system in NS is messed up. I am just glad I at least have a decent doctor. I got hit in the jaw by a road hockey ball while watching a game. Needless to say it messed up my teeth and jaw. Teeth are misaligned and loosened, and I can’t eat solid foods, it has been a week now.
The emergency doctor just said take advil put some ice on it and see a dentist. The next day I go and see my own doctor knowing that it may be a little more serious.
Just got the results of the x-rays, too them four days to get them to my doctor, now I have to wait for a cat scan appointment.
The time it takes for all this stuff the bone is going to be healed before they can give me any treatment outside of anti-inflamatories.
—sore
This article appears in Jul 2-8, 2009.
Helmet and face shield, anyone.
He was watching the game, bro, not playing it. Most folks don’t gear up to watch a road hockey game.
Yeah but wait for it, it will come. Remember we citizens are stupid and can’t protect ourselves and the government will do it for us whether we want it or not.
OP: and did you take the ER doc’s advice and dial up your dentist on an emergency basis? They’ll take you in quick, and you’d have your X-rays lickety-split. Not only that, can you think of anyone better to take a look at bashed-up teeth than a dentist? I can’t.
I’m with Darkside Realist here, why did you not see a dentist?
call a dentist
OP, I sympathize with your pain but not your attitude. Uncomfortable, painful yes; an emergency no. If you want emergency treatment, show up with an emergency. Unless the broken teeth are lodged in your throat and restricting your breathing, chances are there are more serious cases to deal with. Showing up in an HRM emerg with a busted up face just means it must be the weekend.
Hate to say it, but the hospitals will make you see a dentist before they’ll send you to a specialist. Same thing happened to my mom. The dentist finally said she needed to go see a jaw specialist and it took her 3 months to get in.
She needs major jaw surgery. She can’t eat anything very solid and is in constant pain….but can’t get in to have the surgery until December.
So, I hate to be negative here, OP, but, be prepared for a VERY long wait. My mom will have had a year wait by the time it’s all said and done. I wouldn’t really hold out for anything less than that. By the time you get in they’ll probably have to break the bone again to fix your jaw. That’s *if* they’ll cover it and not make you get your dentist to do the work on it. No doubt the loose teeth won’t be covered under MSI. So be prepared for a pile of dentist bills on your hands. HOpe you have dental insurance.
Given some of the gummers I’ve seen in this province I really don’t think the gov’t cares whether or not you have teeth.
And yah, my mom got the ol’ “use some advil!” line. Advil does jack shit for jaw pain.
BTW: 4 days is pretty good when it comes to getting x rays to family docs. Last time I cracked my ankle it took 8 business days.