Tuesday, January 28, 2020

What Is Wrong With Some Dentists These Days?

My uncle was a dentist. When I had to go see him he had a look at the problem, which usually was a hole, he worked at it right away and fixed it. Some times I had to go a second time to get a 2 hole fixed. It was easy and straight forward. Other dentists I saw in later years did the same.

Not so today.

10 days ago I chewed a piece of bread and there was something hard in it. It broke a tooth. I called the dentist's office in town and explained that I had a broken tooth which needed fixing. I had no pain but explained that the tooth needed fixing or what ever could be done right away. I am planning a trip to Houston to pick up my van and the thought of having a broken tooth along the way, is not pleasing me.
Today, I drove to town. It's 54 miles through the U.S. 
The receptionist handed me a set of papers to fill out. I cannot remember that we ever had to do that in Europe. No we didn't. But - OK with my home- (office-) work done I sat down and waited 30 minutes. Finally, a young woman ushered me into the "chair". She said she was the "Hygienist" and would start working at me, also taking an X-Ray. I politely asked to see the doc first to get his opinion on my dilemma. Me thinking I wouldn't be able to travel with a half-done work. Where upon the lady expressed her doubts that the tooth would be fixed in this session and that I wasn't "scheduled" for that work. I told the story that I had especially asked for an appointment to get the tooth fixed. But that had obviously gone by the wayside. Well, she must have briefed the doctor and he came in - a bit grumpy as he appeared. He did have a look at my bad tooth, shook his head and said he would not be able to fix it today. "Badly broken" was his diagnosis. I thanked him for his opinion and rose from the chair. It would remain the first and also the last ever visit to his practice.
What are receptionists doing when they set up appointments with clients? Are they awake?

The experience I had today is not the first time this has happened to me. 2 years ago I had a real emergency and did not get help despite me informing the office beforehand that the tooth in question needed to be removed. I ended up in the ER later that day. All they wanted to do was "teeth cleaning" and take an X-Ray.
Image result for dentist cartoon
It appears that dentists are making good money on having you there twice pressing all kind of extra services on you. Services you haven't asked for, while the real problem has to wait for a sunnier day. I am sick and tired to see dentists acting like that. Their foul practices of milking dollars out of your pocket is nothing but criminal.
Image result for dentist cartoon
Luckily, there are exceptions. There is a nice female dentist right across the border and she has always tended directly to the problem without any unasked extra performances. Unfortunately, she is on vacation these days. But when I returned to the island I dropped by her office and talked nice to the older receptionist. So, I might get a call tomorrow.

10 comments:

  1. Yep, things have changed since we were forced to endure the OBAMACARE crap. Now, you have to get your teeth cleaned, why? Because no dentist wants to work on dirty teeth! 50 years ago it was okay, not today. Cleaning and X-rays first, then a visit to the doctor and he will exam and make a fix/remove/replace plan. Then, you can start coming in for your treatment plan. Here in America, its the OBAMAWAY or you have to look for a Dentist in a small rural town who is HAPPY and EXCITED to have you come in and get the tooth fixed on the first visit. Good Luck.

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    1. I doubt very much that Mr. Obama is guilty of enticing dentists to make extra bucks on their clients. As you also correctly wrote it was different 50 years ago. It did not change with Obama. And here in Canada we didn't have no Obama and yet some clever guys found out how to milk the system. I agree about finding that small-town dentist still working away at the core of their client's problem. That's what we have right across the border - in the land of Obama Care!! :-)

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  2. Good Luck,I feel your pain....went to the orthodontist the other day and he wanted five thousand dollars to straighten my teeth.I think I'll keep my old crooked teeth.

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    1. Rick, you can get that straightening done for a fraction of that price in good old Mexico. That's where we will be going next winter. I know a great dentist there.

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  3. Add optometrists and regular doctors to that list.

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    1. Huh??? Are optometrists starting by cleaning your eyes? Lol. Mine didn't do that.

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  4. We have had the same experience here in Ontario. Thankfully now we seniors have dental care!

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  5. Call it milking the system. If you pay out of pocket you pay One Price. If you have Insurance they pay even more. Good Luck getting your tooth fixed.
    Be safe and Enjoy your trip to Houston.

    It's about time.

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  6. We've found a good dentist here in AJ. Jim broke his tooth and called Monday morning. They got him in Monday afternoon. She gave him his options - file it down and let it go since it's not hurting or pull it and get an implant because there wasn't enuf tooth left to crown. So he had it filed down and came home. Done, done, and done. But I've found it's not just dentists who do this two visit nonsense and it drives me crazy. Hope you get an appointment shortly.

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    1. Got the call this morning, but turned out that I have to wait until February 11. Since it doesn't hurt I guess it's OK.

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