OH has had ongoing dental treatment and would like to get a second opinion on what needs to happen next. He would like the reassurance that someone more experienced, as in older, has had a look because it’s getting a bit complicated.
I can see that Narbonne hospital has a maxillo-faciale unit and he would like to be referred to there for the second opinion. The question is how, can he self refer or does it need to come from his current dentist.
Can anyone guide us please?
ETA: The lady at the pharmacy commented that OH had been in pain with his teeth and jaw and suggested he should go to les urgences. I’m not sure if that’s practical or not.
I’m currently being treated by the Caen CHU and was originally sent there directly by my specialist for urgent treatment. Now that is done I asked if I could stay with them and they said yes, but appointments aren’t quick.
Last time I was there, there was an American tourist couple in waiting room who had arrived via urgences.
When I decided to get my bunions done in 2023 I did not bother with any doctor, but phoned the orthopaedic clinic direct to get an appt with a surgeon to take a look and it worked just like that. The only time a doctor got involved was to give me an ordnance to go to the X-ray lab to get my trotters on film and that was that. Never saw a doctor again, only dealt straight with the surgeon and his secretary and for the return after the second operation to make sure both were as they should be. Therefore you have nothing to lose if you ring the specialist dept direct, they can only say no and tell you what to do to get a referral
It’s the same thing. Above all, I hope you’ll be able to get an appointment soon, because the wait can sometimes be long at public hospitals. Otherwise, ask if the doctors in that department also see patients “en ville”—that is, at their private practices. The wait might be shorter
A Stomatologue is skilled in maxillo/facial surgery / reconstruction, as well as diseases and afflictions of the teeth, jaw, and mouth. They are the people to whom the patient is referred when the ordinary dentist is not sure of the best treatment route to take.
You said originally that you wanted a consultation with someone with more experience, so a Stomatologue would fit your requirements.
If it’s getting complicated and he’s got jaw pain, I’d ring the maxillo-facial unit directly like you’re planning. I’ve done similar for a specialist consult (not teeth, but a weird jaw issue after a wisdom tooth) and the secretary basically told me what they needed from my dentist and whether they’d take me without a referral. Sometimes they’ll book you in but ask you to bring scans, notes, and an “ordonnance” from the current dentist/GP for imaging.
If the pain is acute or swelling/fever starts, urgences can actually be practical just to get assessed and triaged, even if it doesn’t solve the longer-term plan. Also ask the hospital team if any of their surgeons do private appointments, it cut my waiting time a lot.
If you ever end up needing a quick second opinion elsewhere, I’ve heard decent things about places with extended hours like CASA DENTALIS
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