Thread: Should Cruise Lines Have a Dentist Available?

Originally Posted by luckybluesman

I'll just send mine out to be fixed.

Originally Posted by nealberk

And be in places where it might be a bit difficult to find a dentist - like the middle of the Pacific ocean.

Stephen & Neal .... Yes, and there are quite a few cruises (especially, repositioning ...) when there are four days at sea! Even on shorter cruises, it's not unusual to have a day or two At Sea before reaching another port!

not sure if this would work, I for one, wouldn't like anyone but my own dentist messing w/ my pearly whites.... like Lars, I get them checked berore leaving to be safe, schedule a cleaning etc @ mo. before in case need work done.

Really close voting here . . .

Hopefully the medical staff is diverse in training and can handle minor dental emergencies.

I carry the repair kit. My crown is in the front. if it comes off, I look like I should audition for Deliverance.

As for people having their teeth checked prior to cruising, on a cruise last September some of the people apparently had never seen a dentist!

I voted YES. Can you imagine what a great job this would be for a retired dentist? (just in case someone from the cruise lines reads our posts)

Shirley

I voted yes. I have had several abscessed teeth in the last 35 years and when that happens you need a dentist to open that tooth right away. Tylenol and motrin didn't really help and I am not a fan or narcotics. They are used way more than they should be. Once the dentist opens the tooth up you don't need anything for pain. So, I wouldn't mind having a dentist available. JMO

It would be very costly to have a dentist on a ship 24/7.

HAL's infirmery can not handle any dental emergencies.

They can refer you to a dentist on shore -- if they know of a good one. Then expect to pay in cash.

We always worry as Joe has a ton of crowns -- in fact he got his teeth cleaned today and exrayed -- there is a cavity under one of the crowns -- which will mean he will need a new crown.

Yonnie, we always carry DenTemp in case one of my many crowns gets loose. Haven't needed it on the ship, but just yesterday I lost a crown and have it temporarily back in until tomorrow when the dentist will re-cement it in again.

I voted no. seems like that would be difficult and scary to do with no patient history, xrays, lots of equipment etc. Plus I only trust a rare few to play around with my teeth

Originally Posted by houch

I voted yes. I have had several abscessed teeth in the last 35 years and when that happens you need a dentist to open that tooth right away. Tylenol and motrin didn't really help and I am not a fan or narcotics. They are used way more than they should be. Once the dentist opens the tooth up you don't need anything for pain. So, I wouldn't mind having a dentist available. JMO

Have to totally agree with Carol on this! Even those of us who are very good about having regular dental check-ups can have an abscessed tooth or another unexpected dental emergercy ... where immediate help from a dentist would be most welcomed.

As Time Goes By .... Having a dentist on call on a cruise ship has become much more important to us than having an Aqua Park, Ice Skating Rink, etc.