Dentist - Health & Medicine

heather6773 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-03-2008, 06:04 PM

I have to go to a certain dentist because he is the one covered by insurance. Well I went to him for a cleaning and check up and he hurt my mouth so bad I don't want to go back. I hate dentists with a passion. I'd rather have a PAP done than dentist visit. He put the spit sucker in my mouth and it caused such a sore it took a week and a half to heal. I've never had that happen. Now I have to travel over an hour away to see another dentist in our plan. I hate that. I wish I could afford to pay out of pocket but I can't. ANyone have bad expeirences or is it just me....

Csara · #2 (**permalink**) 03-03-2008, 06:49 PM

I know most people hate dentists. Fortunately my father was a dentist (before he retired) so I never had a bad experience. Everyone has always been super nice and gentle with me. I still go to the office where my dad used to practice and they are just as nice as always. I can totally understand how people fear and dislike the whole thing though. I hate the spit sucker and often ask for the hygienist to take it out. If I have too much saliva, I just ask to spit....

I don't know if you have or not, but if not, my suggestion is to just speak up. Let the dentist know that he really hurt you and you would appreciate if he were more gentle. Say what you really dislike and what you would prefer (if possible). Honestly, how are they supposed to know unless you say something?

Deana · #3 (**permalink**) 03-03-2008, 08:24 PM

I hated the dentist for such a long time and avoided going for 12 years. Which was a huge mistake b/c at age 27, I had to get 9 cavities filled.

I found a great dentist who was so gentle and wonderful. Unfortuately, he retired and his not-so-gentle partner took over. I realized that I had to tell them about my fears and anxiety BEFORE I even sat down in the chair. They gave me hand signals for stop and pain, and became aware of my twitches/etc and were very good at asking me how things were going during cleanings and one cavity filling (which took place while I was pregnant, and they couldn't use the good anesthetic-- they were great during that!!).
Now I'm sad to say that they aren't on our insurance anymore. I need to find another dentist. But I KNOW I will be telling the hygenist/dentist about my worries and anxiety before I even sit in the chair. I think they kind of expect that.

heather6773 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Csara

I know most people hate dentists. Fortunately my father was a dentist (before he retired) so I never had a bad experience. Everyone has always been super nice and gentle with me. I still go to the office where my dad used to practice and they are just as nice as always. I can totally understand how people fear and dislike the whole thing though. I hate the spit sucker and often ask for the hygienist to take it out. If I have too much saliva, I just ask to spit....

I don't know if you have or not, but if not, my suggestion is to just speak up. Let the dentist know that he really hurt you and you would appreciate if he were more gentle. Say what you really dislike and what you would prefer (if possible). Honestly, how are they supposed to know unless you say something?

I spoke up and moved the spit sucker off my cheek. He kept putting it back. He is known around town as being rude to begin with and he was very short with me when I told him about a medication I was on. I'm supposed to mention it any time I get x-rays because it can cause the x-rays to show things that aren't there and they have to just know about the meds first. My dr. told me to let anyone know who did any x-rays. So I told him and because HE hadn't heard of such a thing he wouldn't do my x-rays and these were his words " I don't want to be sued for doing something bad" um HELLO!!!! He wanted me to explain in more detail about it and when I couldn't he said well when a dr. tells him something about his body he wants to know everything. I said well I guess I trust my dr. and she is doing the best for me. He said you need to learn more about the medicine going into your body. Excuse me but I cam for a cleaning not a lecture. I had a wonderful dentist and she was very gentle. I told her from the start that I'm very nervous and she was very gentle. She isn't in our plan so I can't go to her. It sucks that we pay for dental insurance but can't go to who we want.

CC21 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 08:55 AM

This is so ironic! I had to switch dentist's when I started my new job, last July (due to insurance). I went in October for my check-up and they found 6 cavities on the x-ray. (thanks to having kids!!) I had 1 in 1 spot, 2 in another and 3 in another. I had my last appointment last Thursday to get the 3 fixed and have had a tooth ache since then. The other 2 spots, fixed in December and January are still really sensitive. I don't ever remember having this much pain after having a cavity filled. My new dentist is really nice and gentle and his staff are great too, but I really wish I could go to my old one. I'm actually getting ready to call and see if I need to come in or if it's normal.

Turtleheadfred · #6 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 09:41 PM

Is there any way you can use your OLD dentist and have her accepted into your plan? Seems like with my former employer, we could "apply" for our doctors to be accepted... the doctor had to do something - but maybe she would be willing?

I used to HATE the dentist... long story but pain was involved and I didn't have very good teeth as a little girl.

Fast forward to being a young girl - and I had to get braces. My mother explained to the orthodontist that if he could PLEASE recommend someone NICE and GENTLE for me... otherwise I wouldn't go - and he did! YEAH!

When he retired, he gave his practice over to a new guy with STRANGE ideas. I told him from the start we would get along GREAT so long as he NEVER hurt me. Well - he was doing these strange procedures (long story again) and PAIN PAIN PAIN! Not because of a filling - but I couldn't eat for a week! Shortly thereafter - I ended up switching to my husband's dentist... and I LOVE HIM and his son!!! No PAIN!

My former dentist actually CALLED me to ask why I switched - and I supposed I should have talked to him about it before leaving - but I didn't. So when he called, I just flat told him... "I told you not to hurt me and you did so I'm through." He tried to give me excuses as to how this was all going to be "worth it" in the end. And I just said - sorry, but you had your chance and you only have one chance to cause me pain... and I don't pay people to hurt me. Goodbye.

I want you to be able to do the same thing... it shouldn't be a painful thing. And HE shouldn't be cleaning your teeth... the hygienist should be! And regardless - they should be GENTLE!

heather6773 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 06:14 AM

O wondered about that with the actual dentist cleaning them and not a hygentist. Usually its the other way around and the dentist just a quick check after they are cleaned. I will see if my old dentist would accept my insurance. I'll stop by and look extra pathetic too.

If I have too....

Turtleheadfred · #8 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 02:55 PM

Hey - I say do whatever you HAVE to! It really is a matter of you feeling comfortable! Being able to relax is half the battle... and if you're already nervous... it just doesn't make it any easier!

I hope it works out!!! I truly truly do!

heather6773 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 04:19 PM

OK so I have an appt for the 31st of this month for an exam with a new dentist, the receptionist was so sweet. I told I had just had a bad experience and she assured me they would walk me thru anything and make sure I was comfortable with them. Thats really nice. Its great too because its in the town I work in. So I am happy that I can stay in town and not drive an hour away for the dentist but I would have. I told her I am also a huge baby with the dentist office and would rather be anywhere else(I told her no offense) she laughed and said none taken.

Csara · #10 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 07:31 PM

That's great! I hope it works out much better for you.

Turtleheadfred · #11 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 08:07 AM

That sounds MUCH better! Sometimes if they KNOW you're apprehensive - it helps them to put you at ease and understand you need them to be extra gentle!

YEAH!

rdy2rac with · #12 (**permalink**) 03-07-2008, 05:41 PM

When I was a kid I hated going to the dentist because he always yelled at me (well not yelling but it felt like yelling as a kid). He was always telling me I wasn't brushing enough, flossing enough, etc. I ALWAYS had cavities but I kept going because that was the dentist my parents took everyone in the family to (he was a part of our church). My parent's switched dentist when I was like 18 & so I swtiched too (I was still on their insurance). I didn't like that dentist either so I stopped going after like 2 visits.

Fast forward to when I started working at the doctor's office a few years later & got my own insurance. I decided I better start taking care of my teeth (I have bad gums thanks to my dad). I went back to my first dentist, started out every 6 months like normal. Then when I got prego with #1 the hygentist had me coming in every 3 months to stay on top of my gums problem. I have been going every 3 months since then, we tried 4 months once or twice & she always says nope not working, back to 3 months. I continue to go to them because at one point the dentist tried to get on me about brushing & flossing and the hygenist laid into him that he of all people should know that I have bad gums and reminded him about my dad's gums (Dad comes down from up north when he needs to get work done).

Now my kids go to the same dentist. As a matter of fact I had them in earlier this week so #1 could get a tooth pulled & #2 in for his first visit. They both did wonderfully.

Hubby hadn't been to the dentist in 7 years and when he did go to his he needed valium (& a driver) before going in there so that he could sit through it (he said it was due to his really bad gag reflex). Last year he had a tooth chip at work & he called the emergency number for his (it was like 5:30 AM) and his dentist told him that the office opened at 12 & he could call to see if there were any openings then. Hubby came & woke me up for my dentist's # and they had him in at 9:30 the same morning. He ended up needing 3 teeth pulled that day & had another 4 that needed to come out. He needs more work done now but we waited for the year to turn over so the insurance would start over.