Some people are getting things addressed now in case they lose insurance. Also a lot of doctors seem to have retired.

Some have full schedules, some don't. There's nothing special about one oral surgeon over another concerning an extraction, as I understand it. Some general dentists do extractions, so getting a referral simply means yours doesn't want to do it.

I'd call around. If you're in a reasonably populated area, there should be plenty of choices of oral surgeons with better schedule availability. Or, try a dental school if there's one nearby.

Good luck.

I had to call around whenever I broke my tooth. Most were oblivious to the pain I was in, which I couldn't even fathom? I wasn't lying but you would think a broken tooth would ellicit some sort of urgency on their part? Maybe I should have been a squeaky wheel. Regardless I found somebody who would see me within 2 days and had it all repaired within a week, but could have done it that same day. Call around.

On the other hand, I got lucky. My gastro had an appointment for the next day or 2 months later. So I picked the next day.

There is one last alternative I deal with all the time with my boss. Somebody needs to see him immediately, but every time I offer up a time, they can't make the time work. If that's the way you're going to be, I'm not going to bend over backwards for you. If you're that desperate, you'll move everything else and come meet.

Those are all the scenarios I know.

rob, I can assure you that no dentist would have been oblivious to pain from a broken tooth. Whether they wanted to be the one to act on it, different story. Especially if those you were calling were ones you had no previousl relationship with.

But rob's comment triggered another thought to suggest to ninapearl. Ninapearl, call your dentist's office, tell them of the unacceptable response you got, and ask if THE DENTIST could call the oral surgeon to fit you in. Most would accommodate such a request under that circumstance. If he or she doesn't, you're better off going elsewhere.

There is a looming crisis in health care with staffing shortages across the board. This is true at every level….from support personnel to physicians. It will be much worse in locations with smaller populations, of course. There is also a significant shortage in dental professionals as well as veterinarians, too.

I certainly experienced the results of these shortages when I had to spend a month in residential rehabilitation after my stroke as well as when I had to see numerous specialists afterwards for follow-up appointments.

There’s a new normal for most of us regarding our health care. The reality is that the days of prompt and convenient health care might be over. The shortages are real and severe in some locations.

It depends. My PCP, a couple weeks. My gynecologist is ridiculous though. At my yearly, I make my appointment for the next year on the way out. Its always over a year from the day I am there when they have an opening. My appointment last year was in August, this year is December. There is only one dermatology office in town, so they are often booked for several months in advance. I have had a couple appointments with a general surgeon when my mammograms/ultrasounds came back weird. It was less than a month before I got an appointment each time, which surprised me given the wide range of surgeries he provides. I thought it would be much much longer. My eye doctor is also a couple weeks. Though I think he is close to retirement, so I will have to find a new one soon.

I always thought that providers tend to keep a slot or two open for patients with acute or severe problems, especially dental providers.

It really varies. This week, the dermatologist had no appointments until late September for a rash. My ophthalmologist said to come in at 11:15, when I called at 9 with itchy eyes. I think the dermatologist is just there for yearly mole checks.

@Elmer J Fudd my regular dentist chooses not to do extractions. i am in the second smallest county in illinois. the closest decent sized city is springfield and even there, appointments are being scheduled months out. this will be the second time i've seen this oral surgeon over the past few years. i really like him and i'm willing to wait especially since i'm not in any pain at this point. if i get to the point where it's painful, i will try your suggestion to see if my dentist will make a call for me.

@rhizo i hope you are recovering well. yes, the shortages of professionals in my area are getting worse and worse. it just seems like it's been in the past few months that it's been this difficult to get a reasonably quick appointment.

Just having this discussion with some colleagues about how long it takes to get patients in to see veterinary specialists too.

I have to wait a week to get into my GP when I am sick and need to be seen. If I see one of the PA's they can get me in that day. Have had some "iffy" visits with the PA, though. I am allergic to what you want to write a script for. ( Look in my chart, dummy), or let's try this ( I've already been on that one, 3 weeks ago). But yes for specialists, I have to make my 6th month check up that day, or I wont get in in 6 months.

amylou ~ When I have to change doctors/dentists for reasons of their retirement, I always ask my present doctor "who would you send your mother to?". I have been very happy with how this works out!

ninapearl,

Many dentists, especially as they age, may restrict what they do to what they're most comfortable with. Some are happy pulling teeth, some aren't. Maybe some limit what they do to the most vanilla of situations. That's reasonable enough.

But for me, if s/he isn't willing to call the surgeon on your behalf to ask that room be made for you ASAP, that's not reasonable. No excuse for that. I'd look for a new one of each.

" Just having this discussion with some colleagues about how long it takes to get patients in to see veterinary specialists too "

Most specialists depend heavily on referrals from general vets and won't see walk in patients unless it's an emergency and or without first checking with the generalist, if there's time. You know that. It's also highly competitive - in populated areas, there are usually alternative choices of vet specialists to go to.

A satisfactory referral experience reflects, both for good and bad, on the general vet as well as on the specialist. A specialist who doesn't meet the expectations of the referring vets and clients may find the flow of their new business pipeline slow down.

Thankfully, I only have three doctors: my PCP, my dermatologist, and my eye doctor and I have to make next appointments for exams at my visit. With the GP it's six months but the other two is a year. I totally wholeheartedly agree with rhizo. The care we once received is a thing of the past. I remember when it happened. I was in for the six-month checkup, and once a year, I got on the table and he did an examination. That year I got on the table and the nurse said we don't do physicals any longer. So he comes in, sits across the room from me, and types on his gadget ,he reviews the blood work I had done the week before, asks my pharmacy to see if it changed, asks what vitamins and reminds me of mammograms. Then he rolls his chair over to me and tells me to take two deep breaths, listens to my heart, and sometimes palpitates my stomach through my clothes. and says see you in six months. I think they are allowed 15 minutes a patient when I used to get 30. Don't even get me started on vets and dentists. Many are now owned by corporations and they push everything for profit, especially vets. .

gor primary care i see a concierge doctor who usually sees me right away, meaning in the next day or two. However, she responds to emails or returns my calls the next dyay.

For most of my specialists, including dentist, I cn get in to see someone in the office, not always them, pretty quickly since I am a longtime established patient.

Seeing a new docotr can take months. My concierge will help me if its truly urgent but that doesnt always work.

My primary care doc is at a location with a handful of others. The group has several urgent care locations, no appointment required, but same or next day appointments with my own doc or another in the same office are always available. Ditto with video appointments for situations for which that's adequate, usually at the beginning or end of the day.

I feel like I'm getting better care than in the past but maybe that's because of my doc. Both she and her several predecessors always seemed to have all the time needed to do what was necessary. Off topic chit chat is kept to a minimum but I never feel rushed.

Some medical specialists can have long waits but I always ask to be put on the waiting list for cancellations. Something usually pops up. I think it depends a lot on the practice and the individual doctor's attitude. I had something come up about a week after my periodic derm exam and he took me the next day.

We are lucky to have a really good walk-in clinic. We have been seeing the same doctor there for 30 years.

I use my PCP for my yearly check up and I make sure I know when scheduling opens for the following here.

My dentist has alway been available for emergecies. It’s the hygenist that I have to book ahead.

No issue with optometrist or gyn, No issue with annual mamo and sonograms.

It's also highly competitive - in populated areas, there are usually alternative choices of vet specialists to go to.

There are many, many fewer specialists to go to in Canada.......I think there are only 2 veterinary dermatologists in the whole province. That too makes it highly competitive.

My dentist will see me the same day for emergencies. He made arrangements for a specialist once and it was the next day PCP same day or the next if I’m sick. The vet will see us for emergencies same day (extra charge but fair price). The vet has also made the arrangement for a specialist and discussed the case with her before my appt. I live in a populated area with quite a few vet specialists. Our visit was with an ophamologist.

My favorite doctor I had for ten years quit and has a concierge practice now . My son-in-law goes to him (they are actually good friends) . I think his fee is $3500 a year but he's full at 400 patients and has brought another doc into the practice. My daughter is considering going to her and wants me to consider it too since I have little rapport with mine.

But for me, if s/he isn't willing to call the surgeon on your behalf to ask that room be made for you ASAP, that's not reasonable. No excuse for that. I'd look for a new one of each.

i have not asked her to make a call for me. i already said that if the tooth starts to get painful, i will ask if she can call the surgeon to get me in sooner.

as for looking for a new one of each, i've been going to this dentist for 20 years and i went to her father before she joined the practice for at least that long. i'm not inclined to look for another one that i may end up not even liking.

The care we once received is a thing of the past.

i have talked to many people who have the same opinion. i begged my ortho doctor not to retire but no amount of cajoling could change his mind. he actually told me that he has always loved doing what he does but that it doesn't give him the same amount of satisfaction since he cannot practice his trade the way he learned it due to having to fight with insurance companies and/or corporate entities.

We don’t usually have a problem getting in to our PCP, but he switched to a concierge practice several years ago and we went with it. We are usually able to make an appointment for the same day or the next, depending on the time of day we call.

Other doctors/specialists are a different story for the most part. I recently had to change my eye doc appointment and had to wait over a month for another opening. It’s the same or worse with my dermatologist and gynecologist. I have learned however, to always ask to be put on a waiting list if they have cancellations please call me. It often works.

As for dentists, we both have had great experiences recently with needing quick appointments. I needed a referral to an endodontist, which was provided. Ended up i needed a root canal, even though I had no tooth pain, there was a dead nerve causing some other issues. What surprised me was that the Endo only put in a temporary filling. I had to go back to my regular dentist for a permanent filling. Fortunately I could be seen in a couple of days and it was done. I’ve only had one root canal in the past and that endodontist did it all. This was a surprise.

I think @rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7 is right on especially for the area we live. We have grown so fast in the past 3-5 years, medical service providers haven’t kept up. It wasn’t always this way 10 years ago.

I'm making a lot of specialist appointments for my mom and they are 4-6 months out. Same for me. They are all at university teaching hospitals. The only time there is not a long wait is when you are first diagnosed with cancer. The cancer card moves you to a few weeks wait.

I wonder if there is much of a difference in red states vs blue states. In many blue states laws have been passed that greatly expanded access to healthcare creating more users in the system.

It will be interesting to see if once all of the horrific cuts to medicare (and other plans) go through will there be a shorter wait for appointments? You for sure there will be a longer wait at the ER.

My PCP is now offering the option of paying for concierge service. I'm switching to a new doc because of it. While I don't blame anyone here for partaking in it, I think it is unconscionable for a doctor to prioritize some of his patients with money (me) over others who have less (me 20 years ago). Smarmy.

" There are many, many fewer specialists to go to in Canada.......I think there are only 2 veterinary dermatologists in the whole province. "

You picked one of the specialties with the fewest number to mention but I get what you're saying. Many Canadian-educated vets do residencies in the US and stay (cross border recognition of vet schools and licenses), as I'm sure you know.

I looked at the diplomate locater at ACVD - it suggests there are 5 boarded vet dermatologists in Ontario. There could be a few more residency trained but not boarded. They seem to be a bit more numerous in the Montreal area in Quebec.

If we are ill our primary doctor will get us in within a day or 2 at most. For more elective things or things that can wait like it is usually within 2 weeks. The only appointment that seem to have to be booked far in advance are the Medicare yearly "wellness physicals" which I would find a waste of time except my doctor is willing to discuss any concerns out of the box during the visits.

I chipped something off a back molar that has caused a pocket. Not painful but irritating and annoying. Called my dentist today and I have an for Tuesday. He no longer works full time but has always gotten me in quickly, even for regular appointment. I am assuming he has limited his patient list in order to do this. My implant dentist works closely with him and I became his when I asked him for a referral. So basically the ID had him take me as a patient. At the time my other dentist had moved and his practice was taken over by one of those magical unicorn woo woo types who practically turned the practice into a spa. ICK. One visit and I was done with her.

Eye doctor is about 3 weeks usually. He has two offices and if you are flexible it stays within that time frame. When he did my last cataract surgery it was supposed to be 2 weeks pot consultation but they had a last minute cancellation so I was able to get it done 3 days later.

DH's cardiologist "team" seem to make his appointments in a timely manner. He had to see 3 doctors in the past 2 weeks. He requested 2 be video appointments which they were able to accommodate. One of the video docs from today will see him in person on the 3rd of Sept.

Ninapearl May I ask why you are having each eye done separately since it's only a 2 week span? Why not have both done at once and have it over and done? It's generally an easy surgery and you are doubling the time to have to futz with the eye drops which most people find the most annoying part of the whole process. I did have mine done separately but it was 2 years apart since I had one eye creating vision problem sooner than the other. Also I had to drive myself back the next day and get back in the saddle by the end of the week. Each time I elected zero sedation for those reasons also. Plus I hate the feeling of being sedated.

@wildchild you are the first person i know of that had both eyes done at the same time. i didn't know that was even an option. i don't think i'd be comfortable doing it since i live alone and have zero help with even the smallest chores. i'd rather have one "good" eye to help me navigate!

My cataract surgery 3 years ago was also one at a time, about 2 weeks apart. I think that's the norm.

We have used the local Urgent Care clinic for illnesses. Last spring I went in for severe coughing. I had pneumonia, without a preceding respiratory infection. Happily the meds prescribed knocked it down. Went in a couple of years ago for a sudden ear ache, again, meds took care of it quickly.

It really depends on the need. If I told the scheduler I had been in the ER/urgent care with ______ and now I am having trouble again I would get in that day. If I had to schedule a pre-op check I would get in with in a week. Doctors leave openings in their schedule for truly sick issues vs follow ups or annual exams.

I made an appointment with an audiologist, they are booking 9 months out. My internist’s wait for new patients is over a year, I can usually get in for a physical in 6 months. If it is urgent, usually it’s telehealth most likely with the PA or CNP, possibly the doctor, or they recommend urgent care.

The crazy thing is networks: the urgent cares in the same system are not necessarily in network.

When my tooth was a little wonky, after the dental braces came off...she just comes into the office an hour early, 7AM. A routine bone density scan my Doctor ordered, my 1st, 6 months to get in. But, when I pulled something and thought I had internal damage, I didn't, 3 days to see a specialist who did an abdominal ultrasound. They have work around schedules.

Everyone I know has had each eye done separately two weeks apart.

My cataract surgery was Jan 2017 (at age 54). Left eye first on 1/24 (it was more affected). Right a week later 1/31, not two weeks.

My cataract surgery was two weeks apart, right before Covid. I don't think I'd like it at the same time. But it was a piece of cake.

A question. How much per year does your concierge doctor charge and and is he/she available at all hours 24/7, as my son-in-law's is?

i've never even heard of a concierge doctor until it was mentioned here. i think i get the gist of it but how, exactly, does this work?

Concierge MDs have a limited, exclusive group of patients, who pay an up-front fee (typically yearly) to effectively "subscribe" to the MD, which grants them quicker and more-personal service.

bpath -- You might try Costco while you wait. I got no extra information from the audiologist at NLF, after waiting months for the appointment.

Maybe there will be easier access to physicians once our Boomers expire.. dying on some wait list...at 102.

It seems clear that population/location is a big factor for many areas, when it comes to medical providers. It's been all over the news how rural, sparsely populated communities are hurting for medical care availability, and now, with proposed Medicaid cuts, many rural hospitals are facing even more dire economic circumstances than they've already been dealing with.

There's also been news coverage of the serious shortages in nursing and MDs for some time now.

We live in a densely populated area of our state, with about half a dozen hospitals, many urgent care and numerous medical offices. I feel very fortunate to have a GP quite close(10 minutes), who specializes in geriatric care AND does many thing in-house that most other GPs refer out. I don't have to make extra appt.s for bloodwork, vaccinations, OB/gyn exams, etc., which I appreciate very much.

It's been all over the news how rural, sparsely populated communities are hurting for medical care availability, and now, with proposed Medicaid cuts, many rural hospitals are facing even more dire economic circumstances than they've already been dealing with.

this is exactly what we are dealing with. our tiny rural hospital operates with a skeleton staff and while they do still have an e.r., their only service is to stabilize a patient enough to ship them out to a hospital at least 1-2 hours away. minor things that may require sutures, they can deal with but that's about it. they have tried for years to attract physicians to the area but it's SO rural, nobody is interested in settling here.

for routine things, we do have a small clinic in town, 15 minutes away. i go there to get labs done to be forwarded to my nephrologist and for things like bronchitis, poison ivy, and other minor issues. i can't even remember the last time i saw an MD, i always just see the PA. i find her so much more personable and willing to take way more time with me than any other doctor i see (those being specialists). i am always able to get in to see her on very short notice, usually the same day i call. i really, really hope this clinic stays open!

I had no idea that spreading out cataract surgery by 2 weeks was standard practice. Mine were 2 years apart since it wasn't necessary to do the other at that time. But I do remember at the surgery center they asked me if I was having one or both done when I went in for the first. I wonder what the reason is that most are done separately. Maybe to mitigate issues if there are complications making sure people have one good eye to see out of? I was lucky both my procedures (same doctor) went without a hitch. DH had one done by a different doctor who only did the old style and still has negative issues remaining today. Thank goodness he only had one eye done. Now he goes to my doctor.

" I had no idea that spreading out cataract surgery by 2 weeks was standard practice. "

I think I recall that when my wife had surgery, it was necessary to keep a bandage over the eye for some number of days. Maybe 3 or a bit more.

If my recollection is right, it would be nothing short of very dumb to do both eyes at the same time.

Ideally, if both eyes need to be done, it's good to wait at least 4 weeks in between so that the first eye can heal and you can see where your refraction ends up. Then you can choose to change the power of the second IOL if necessary.

While the vast majority of cataract surgeries are uncomplicated, and people are happy with their results, there can be refractive misses, especially if you were either very farsighted or nearsighted. Waiting between surgeries can allow you to fine-tune your vision.

Most surgeries don't require the bandage. They are done with a teeny laser cut and the lens is slipped it. It pinches a bit. The new procedure doesn't require stitches like those in the past did. I came home with a shield I had to keep on overnight. The next morning it was removed and drops were started. My surgery was on a Monday and I was back horse back riding on Wednesday wearing close fitting wrap around sunglasses to protect my eyes from dust and dirt. Second surgery went the same only my first ride happened to be scheduled on Thursday. I elected to not have sedation both times. I did have my surgery done in a surgical center, not an office. Anesthesiologist was on standby just in case.

Bookwoman That makes sense.

" Most surgeries don't require the bandage. "

Her surgeries were done at Stanford by one of the opthal. division leaders. I suspect they know what they're doing. They offer fellowships to teach this and other advanced procedures.

Edit - this happened about 3 1/2 years ago and the two procedures were perhaps 3 months apart.

Ninapearl, our concierge medical practice is associated with MDViP. You might look at their website and get some idea of their benefits. I know our doctor sees fewer patients but spends much more time with us individually. Plus we get a very thorough physical workup every year and he spends a good bit of time going over the results. We have access to medical clinical advice via our PCP from the Cleveland Clinic If we are traveling, our PCP can refer us to another physician in the MDVIP network, plus we are allowed to bring any out of town guests to his office to be seen if necessary. There are other benefits but these are some of the main ones I can think of right now.

We are billed twice a year (the yearly payment can be split into 2 payments).

I had no bandage on either eye. Three medication drops the first week, two the second week, one the third week ... atop my regular glaucoma drop. My IOP shot up to 35 (don't recall if one eye or both) after the procedure (which doc said isn't an unusual occurrence) so they added an extra drop for one week. The only slight trick with one-week-apart procedures was keeping track of which eye had which drops as the post-weeks progressed. My procedures were at a surgery center, not a local office. My sister had one eye done within the past year by the same optical group, it was done at a local office.

I wore no bandages on either eye and just did the drops for a few days. The biggest thing I noticed was that the colors had changed. I bought a green six-inch tall pear for my kitchen and when I had my first eye done, I noticed the pear was actually blue. I think I need a laser treatment and will see at my October appointment.

i will be sent home with a shield over my eye that i will have to wear at night for a few days. the procedures will be done at the surgical center connected to the doctor's office.

as for any concierge medical practices, i doubt we have anything like that around here. this is a very rural area with few doctors.