Hi everyone,
I have an active Medical services plan,which I applied for 3 months ago,when I arrived in Vancouver,I recently landed a job,that includes medical and dental,but I have to wait 3 months before I can use the work MSP.I need to see a dentist over a problem tooth,but my own MSP doesn't cover dental,and I can't use my works plan for another month and a half.I can probably hold on to get the tooth sorted out,but I now have an abscess forming,which is starting to get very uncomfortable.Would a doctor prescribe anti biotics for the abscess,or is this a matter strictly for a dentist.Can anyone advise me on how I register with a doctor/dentist,and how do I find a good one,can anyone recommend a good doctor/ dentist in Kitsilano,
many thanks.

Just pay for a private dentist?

Got to be better than an abcess, which can actually kill you through blood poisoning.

A friend of mine who was scared of dentists ended up in intensive care last year due to blood poisoning from exactly this.

For clarification, MSP is the government plan that is compulsory, works plan is extended health, it has nothing to do with MSP. Extended health requires you to have MSP to participate.

Extended health covers some of the things the govt plan does not, at percentages set by your employer. Soe you pay and get the money back, others give you a card and you use that, the practitioner bills the insurer.

Doctors don't do mouth stuff, you have to see a dentist for that, such as anti biotics for a tooth abscess.

A walk in clinic should be able to diagnose and treat the abscess. More than likely with antibiotics +\- painkillers as needed.
They will also know which dentists are looking for patients and unlike the UK, dentists over here will see walk ins for emergent care such as this.

I have sent patients who are from Ontario to dentists in BC with no issues. It's amazing the value of good old fashioned payment for service.

The visit to Walk in will be covered by your MSP. But the meds won't be unless you have fair pharmacare.

The dentist will be able to tell you exactly what is going on with your teeth while the walk in will only give you an idea.

If money is an issue I would suggest getting the abscess treated by a doc and see if you can hold on until your extended benefits kick in. I would also suggest that you read the details of the plan as some don't cover all the cost of some thing like this so you may be putting ourself through some pain only to save a few hundred.

Thanks guys,a big help.

If one doctor says they can't do anything cause its a tooth issue, try another walk in clinic, some doctors will treat pain and infections regarding tooth issues, and some wont, learned this when I went with a friend who had a similar issue, first doctor said see a dentist, but the 2nd doctor prescribed anti-biotics and pain killers until she could save funds for a dentist.

Tooth issues scare me, dentists are a luxury for so many people, and I am literally scared for the day when I have a tooth ache or issue since dental is something I cannot afford.

Thank you for your reply,I am seeing a doctor at a walk in today,and hopefully he will prescribe antibiotics,but if he can't help,I will certainly take your advice,and try another walkin clinic,thanks again for your reply.