Rinah Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 First off I apologize if this is the wrong area, I assumed this was the place to post it as its in health! I went to the dentist today for a cleaning. The hygienist told me that my teeth were beautifully white, and that I had hardy any - to no cavities. She told me to keep them up by brushing and what not to keep them up. Another dentist comes into the room, takes a quick look at my teeth, then claims I have 10 cavities, that I eat too much candy, and that I need to fix my teeth right away so they won't be more damaged. (Cost 1600$!?!) I was shocked by this as the other dentist/hygienist told me they were fine just minutes ago. Does anyone else have the feeling that this dentist is money hungry? I got a bad vibe from her while talking to her, she was very rude, and tried to play it off with a 'nice voice'. This has happened to me before in the same office, last time I was told I had 5 cavities, I left, had a second opinion and the other dentist told me I had none. Has anyone else had these problems? What do you think? Link to post Share on other sites
tinktronik Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 First off I apologize if this is the wrong area, I assumed this was the place to post it as its in health! I went to the dentist today for a cleaning. The hygienist told me that my teeth were beautifully white, and that I had hardy any - to no cavities. She told me to keep them up by brushing and what not to keep them up. Another dentist comes into the room, takes a quick look at my teeth, then claims I have 10 cavities, that I eat too much candy, and that I need to fix my teeth right away so they won't be more damaged. (Cost 1600$!?!) I was shocked by this as the other dentist/hygienist told me they were fine just minutes ago. Does anyone else have the feeling that this dentist is money hungry? I got a bad vibe from her while talking to her, she was very rude, and tried to play it off with a 'nice voice'. This has happened to me before in the same office, last time I was told I had 5 cavities, I left, had a second opinion and the other dentist told me I had none. Has anyone else had these problems? What do you think? I have had it happen. Get the to a new dentist and don't go back to the one trying to charge you for work you don't need done. Link to post Share on other sites
carhill Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 Has anyone else had these problems? What do you think? Nope. My hygenist, who's a personal friend, has been cleaning my teeth for over a decade. The dentist and she generally concur and, if there's an issue, we all sit down and look over the images and discuss it. Usually, I'm the proactive one. The dentist also has done 'repairs', even years later, for free. I say find a different dentist. I had some of your issues after my childhood dentist sold his practice and a new young 'businessman' took it over and forgot who his customers where. I'm sure a lot of us left. I was dating my now exW and she suggested seeing her girlfriend who was a hygenist. I did and the rest is history Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 Your dentist and your hygienist can't have a very good working relationship! I am a dentist, and my hygienist is great- we back eachother up instead of contradicting eachother. Hygienists technically aren't as qualified as dentists to diagnose decay and cavities, but a good hygienist should be able to pick up on obvious problems. I have an intraoral camera that I use so I can show people where their cavities are- pictures tell more than words, and I also don't assume people eat "too much candy"- there can be many reasons for decay, and most of the time decay is a multifactorial thing that needs to be worked through by both the patient and the dentist. Ie- the dentist should have asked you a few questions regarding your dental history, diet and home cares before she jumped to the conclusion you eat too much candy. Did she take xrays? If so, you should be able to contact the surgery and take them elswhere for a second opinion. Ask the new dentist to explain where the cavities are (if they are there at all) and how serious they are. As Carhill said- its something you should be able to discuss rather than be "told", it is your mouth after all. Sorry you had a bad experience, unfortunately sometimes there are bad dentists out there who give us a bad name... Link to post Share on other sites
Author Rinah Posted January 14, 2011 Author Share Posted January 14, 2011 I got the xrays, I looked at them I didn't see anything. The dentist did not go over my xrays with me. She just took them from me and left the room This is also why Im assuming she wants to fix problems that are not even there, she didn't show me anything! Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 PS- she may not be a "bad" dentist, but IMO a good dentist is someone that makes you feel like you are in charge of your treatment, and is someone who you feel comfortable with, and that includes feeling comfortable enough to challenge if you don't understand or agree with what they are saying. Thats where good dentistry starts. The technical stuff (not hurting, not charging too much) comes later. Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 How old was she? (the dentist)? Ten cavities after having a clean bill of dental health only a year ago is ALOT. If you were my patient and you really did need that much treatment I would also be concerned with finding out why your decay rate had increased so much. There are lots of ways of finding those things out, and they include bacteria tests as well as simply TALKING to the patient. Its amazing to see how many practitioners gloss over how important talking to people is... Link to post Share on other sites
Author Rinah Posted January 14, 2011 Author Share Posted January 14, 2011 She made me very upset, she was rude to me, put me down. And then said "I'm not trying to discourage you! In a voice that said otherwise. When I asked who would be doing my teeth in the future, she jumped on it, and told me she wanted to, and to book the appointment with her. (No thanks!!!) As I said, this is the second time a dentist from this particular office was quick to give me 5-10 cavities, yet I had a second opinion and the other's told me otherwise. I just don't see why the oral hygienist would be honest, and this particular dentist would be rude and pushy. (Got the feel that she was like a used car salesmen trying to sell me a busted vehicle) Link to post Share on other sites
Author Rinah Posted January 14, 2011 Author Share Posted January 14, 2011 She looked young, in her mid twenties. (30 max) Im 20 myself, and I have never had any cavities, which is why I was so flabbergasted. I never have any tooth pains, my teeth are very white and clean, and the hygenist said the same. I just feel really bothered, as in the work place people should be more respecting and professional. Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 Its hard to say without actually seeing you or your xrays as to who is actually right. The buck stops with the dentist- the hygienist isn't the one who is officially supposed to diagnose decay/cavities, so if the hygienist IS wrong, its of no consequence to her, while there would be an issue if the dentist had said there was no decay if there actually was. (am I making sense?) In saying that, if its like where I live, the hygienist gets paid by the hour whereas the dentist gets paid per treatment. I think the primary problem here is very poor communication- the dentist and the hygienist don't communicate, and the dentist hasn't been very effective at communicating with you. If you aren't comfortable with the dentist, then that is reason enough to seek a second opinion. Either that or get the first dentist to back up her treatment plan with evidence. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Rinah Posted January 14, 2011 Author Share Posted January 14, 2011 @sb129 Yes I see where you are coming from. But I really got a bad feeling about this woman, I think I will be changing dentist offices and getting a second opinion again. I appreciate the opionion especially since you are a dentist yourself, thank you! Also the title wasn't directed at all dentists, just the one I'm complaining about, encase you took it to heart. Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 Im 20 myself, and I have never had any cavities, which is why I was so flabbergasted. I would be very very surprised if you truly did need ten true cavities filling. Occasionally people in their early 20s have significant lifestyle changes and go from having great teeth to not so great teeth (ie they leave home, discover alcohol, let their personal care lapse) but I am sure you would know if that was the case with you!!! I just feel really bothered, as in the work place people should be more respecting and professional. You are right. You have every right to expect that. Younger dentists often take a while to learn that.. They graduate all cocky and confident and full of self importance, and some learn humility, respect and maturity along the way and others don't! If you feel confident about it you should write a letter to the practice. There should be a more senior dentist there who should be able to confirm or deny whether your treatment plan was appropriate and it will let the dentist know that her chairside manner is not acceptable to some patients and she may need to look at improving on that. I have been practising for over ten years now and in that time I have had three complaints which is not bad for a dentist they tell you to expect one or two a year. Both times it ended up being a good thing as it forced me to look at myself and my work and improve for the better. Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 @sb129 Yes I see where you are coming from. But I really got a bad feeling about this woman, I think I will be changing dentist offices and getting a second opinion again. I appreciate the opionion especially since you are a dentist yourself, thank you! Also the title wasn't directed at all dentists, just the one I'm complaining about, encase you took it to heart. Thanks I didn't take it to heart I have developed a thicker skin than that over the years of being part of one of the most hated professions! Getting a second opinion is a great idea, you have to feel confident with the dentist, it sounds like you have lost confidence in this particular dentist, which is totally understandable. I would still recommend writing to them to tell them why you won't be returning- it may stop other patients being treated the same way. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Rinah Posted January 14, 2011 Author Share Posted January 14, 2011 My last dentist told me that where the previous dentist told me it was a cavity, it was merely only a small spot (light stain) at the time and not a cavity. Could that be the case this time? Them saying simple spots are cavities? Thanks again~ Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 It could be possible. Some small spots/ stains can be merely that, others can indicate further decay underneath, however most dentists should be able to tell the difference. Get that second opinion- there is only so much information I can give you on an internet forum, and I would hate to mislead you any further. I would be interested to hear what the other dentist has to say. Link to post Share on other sites
Eeyore79 Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 When I was aged 20, a new dentist took over my local practice and told me I needed seven teeth extracted and replaced with false ones. I was hysterical because I'd always looked after my teeth and had never needed any work before. A friend referred me to his dentist, who gave me a clean bill of oral health, and was completely shocked when I said that only a few days earlier I'd been told that seven teeth needed to be extracted. A decade has passed and I haven't needed to have a tooth extracted yet. What kind of evil person would want to pull out a pretty young girl's perfectly healthy teeth just to put a bit of money in his pocket? A couple of years ago I needed my teeth cleaned for a special occasion, and my regular dentist couldn't fit me in so I went to the local dentist. The same guy was still running the practice, and the first thing he said was that I needed a tooth extracted! My regular dentist disagreed; the tooth has not been extracted and is just fine. Needless to say, I will never be going back there again. OP, I suggest you find a dentist you can trust, and don't go back to this lying and morally corrupt dentist again. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Rinah Posted January 15, 2011 Author Share Posted January 15, 2011 Thanks again sb129, I sure wish the dentist I had today was more like you! I will be sure to get a second opinion! @Eeyore79 That is terrible! I think I would have cried in the chair if I was told I needed 7 teeth taken out! Thinking about that just scares me to death. I should have never went to this dentist again, I should have learned the first time. Finding a decent dentist seems hard for me, but I will keep looking! Link to post Share on other sites
Art_Critic Posted January 15, 2011 Share Posted January 15, 2011 (edited) You need a second opinion.. go to another dentist.. By the way.. if you have a cavity the chances are you can feel the stick of the probe in your teeth when they probe them.. A cavity is soft and when they push the point of the probe in it sticks.. they pull it out and you feel it by the tug on your teeth. They then verify it by taking an x-ray and looking for the darker spot on the x-ray. If your teeth have no cavities then the probe doesn't stick in the tooth. Not that this is a way to know you have cavities or not but if during the exam you felt the probe stick then the chances are they are telling the truth.. Second opinion... Edited January 15, 2011 by Art_Critic Link to post Share on other sites
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