Resolved Question

I'm not entirely sure what the dental health system in Australia is really all about, or what the duty of care is...

But this past Tuesday, I had my tooth extracted.

I told the dentist I wanted numbing gel PRIOR to him sticking needles in my gums. He and the nurse refused saying "We only give numbing gel to little kids to trick them."

So I got no numbing gel, despite repeatedly asking for it. I hate needles, and am terrified of them. Its now Sunday. 5 days later & where he jabbed me in the back of the mouth is still sore & I'm taking painkillers on a daily basis because my mouth is in so much pain.

I don't know if I can complain about this or not?

ETA: To add - I've had 3 other teeth extracted before, once at the same surgery by a different dentist, and the others by different dentists. I've NEVER had pain after extractions before. The other dentist at the same surgery wouldn't give me numbing gel either.

Well, the pain might well be from the extraction itself since; some teeth come out with no lasting pain and others just don;t go without letting you remember then for days. Alternatively pain may be indicating a problem with the socket that might need treating.

In any case, the lack of the gel would not result in pain after for days; merely the feeling of the needles when they go in and for a few minutes after; the gel effect wears off quite fast.

As for how to react to the dentist refusing the gel despite your repeated request; you should have simply told them either they comply with your request or you leave and take your business elsewhere.