I don;t pull teeth

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Community Health, School Health.

Yet teachers are constantly sending kids down to have their loose teeth pulled out. It would be one thing if it were hanging by a string and it took zero effort to get out, but even then I am hesitant. The kid that just left my office had a tooth that was barely wiggly and her teacher sent her down to me to pull it.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Orthopedic, M Surg, School RN.

I JUST had a teacher escort a child to my office for the same thing! Its been happening more for the last two weeks and I have no idea whyyy.

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Just had that convo today. I'm NOT an oral surgeon!!!! ?

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Yuck! I don't do teeth. I wouldn't even pull my own wiggly teeth when I was a kid. I don't want to see the wiggly tooth, I don't want to see the pulled out tooth, but I can check out the missing tooth spot and give them a big thumbs up.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

That's worth a call to the teacher for me.

Me: Little Darling is in the clinic and complaining of a loose tooth. What were you hoping I could do to help?

Teacher: Can you pull it?

Me: Nope! Nurses get in trouble for practicing dentistry! And it's not bleeding. So I will send LD into my bathroom to wiggle the tooth but if it's too attached to be gone, I'll send him/her RIGHT BACK.

ALSO - I handed out the tooth boxes on a string that kids can wear to the kinder teachers. They were legit delighted to have them so they could not send a kid up here. Who knew?

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

I don't pull teeth. A few years ago I had a Dentist (not practicing while she raised her kids) who would sub for me. She would not pull teeth at school.

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I don't pull teeth either - yes, I have made a few teachers irritated about it - but oh well.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Loose teeth are my pet peeve. I always send back a note saying, "I can't do anything for loose teeth!"..

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Specializes in School Health.

I don't pull teeth out either. I always let me students know that I cannot pull teeth and explain to them that I cannot do anything invasive without a doctor's order. Usually my kids will then ask if they can use my bathroom and when they come out there tooth has "magically" fallen out.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

same. I once asked my supe (tongue in cheek) if he'd send me to dental school since i was in the process of deciding on my masters anyway - so why not just go for the next level - he laughed and rolled his eyes. Guess that was a no

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Specializes in pediatrics, school nursing.

I send the kids back with a chunk of 4x4s and tell them to have at it in class; Its a waste of educational time for them to sit in my office wiggling it.

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Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

I used to, but I was told not to do it again. I learned my lesson.

Now I tell students that to keep wiggling in class, and when it falls off to come to my office.

If it was super wiggly when they came to me, then that means I would see them in a few hours with a tooth in their hands.

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