Regularly patients with dental pain turn to ERs. Unfortunately, most leave with a little less pain, but problems that still need fixing + ER bills. Nearly all receive some form of antibiotic, whether penicillin, amoxicillin or clindamycin. For those who are writhing in pain, I typically offer a dental block for 6-12 hours of numbness and hopefully a little sleep.
We refer to dentists, but know that waiting lists can be enormously long. Sometimes I wonder why hospitals don’t set up more comprehensive 24/7 emergency dental services… and why I didn’t become a dentist.