Because our greedy health care system is horrible ! While a broken tooth isn’t exactly an emergency it is crucial to get immediate dental care to have a chance to save a tooth. If you have to wait two or three days to see your dentist, chances are you’ll lose a tooth that probably could have been saved.

It’s a sad situation that our health care system is so expensive, so horrible and above not accessible to everyone.

When doctors offices are closed the only other place to get medical attention is via hospital emergency rooms and while some medical issues may not be emergency in nature, where else can you get treatment after hours.

because a broken tooth is not an emergency. emergency rooms are abused. youre not gonna die from a broken tooth. its an EMERGENCY room. life or death….not, oh i cant get in to see my doctor room. i work in ems and i see abuse of the system all the time. did your friend call an ambulance to take him to the er? i wouldnt be surprised if he did. and people…calling an ambulance doesnt get you to the front of the line, unless you are truely sick. all it does is tie up an ambulance for your lazy butt, when someone else out there could really be dying and need us. we are not a taxi service!

The problem is most hospitals don’t see dental care as a priority, but I do know that’s changing to an extent. I can relate to your question though, specially after a root canal and extraction — Had to take painkillers at 10pm as there was no way to reach a dentist.