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Embarrassed

Matt22

Matt22

Junior member
Joined
Oct 24, 2007
Messages
17
Location
Canada
Hello

I received treatment about 7 months ago for a broken tooth. I just didn't bother to go back to get the rest fixed. My dentist is great at what he does but himself and his assistance are very condescending. Here they are making 500 Dollars off me for only 45 minutes (Coverage provided). I have two broken molars one needs to be removed and I am confident the other one can be fixed with a very deep filling. However I feel like a moron walking in there, I do not want to get a 20 minute speech. I am also concerned of switching dentist the quality of the work here is excellent but the attitude of the hygienist sucks. Every hygienist I have had with the 4 dentist I have had in my life are complete.... Well nevermind. Anyone have any advice?
 
Hi Matt. My advice to you is that you should not have to put up with the dentist and his staff treating you that way, even they are very good at the technical/non human part of what they do. You should definitely try a new dentist and perhaps ask friends and family for recommendations for someone who is kind and caring and understanding. Or perhaps try the dentist finder section on this site. I hope that you are able to find a way to get this sorted out for yourself so that you don't have to worry about it any longer. All the best :)
 
Thanks Jessica, it's a tough situation for me. Just throwing this out there I am a very respectful person and not even demanding he sliced my lip open a little last time I didn't even say anything. He said sorry and applied some gel and continued Ive even had full root canals done in a full 2 hour session before and just delt with the discomfort in my neck and back haha
 
I too say you should look for a new dentist, even if he is technically quite good. There are lots of good dentists and hygienists out there who are good at the human side of the profession, and not just the teeth.

If you needed some sort of really specialized life-or-death sort of treatment (pretty rare in dentistry, I'd think?) that he was The Expert in, then of course you would want to stay with him. (My orthopedist doesn't have the best bedside manner, but he is Very Very Good at the surgery side of things and I have a really rare condition and need serious specialists to look after it, so I don't care.) But it sounds like you don't, so if you really don't like the office, if you can switch, then I would.
 
Just wanted to say I agree with Jessica and Distant Star. Wanted to add something my dentist said. She said there are two parts to working with patients--emotional needs and dental needs. Both skills are essential to be a really good dentist.
Nobody has the right to judge you or make you feel small. You deserve to be treated better than that.
 
Thanks for posting this concern. I too am wondering which is more important technical skills or bedside manners. The advice here sounds good. Good luck.
 
I suppose it's a very personal decision and depends on how important chairside manner is to you (probably very important though if you have a dental fear or phobia) and perhaps how complex your dental issues are. For me, it is essential that I feel comfortable with my dentist, and even though he is young and probably not as technically skilled and advanced as others, his caring manner and the fact that he makes me feel relaxed and comfortable is far more important to me, and I figure he is more than capable to handle examinations and basic treatment. In the case of more complicated things that arise (eg extractions) I can and have been referred to a specialist anyway, so all my bases are covered!
 
Thank you very much for the advice. I will be contacting a few dentist next week to see what my options are. Thanks again I appreciate it! :)
 
:) No problem, you're welcome!

I can't deal with a dentist I'm not comfortable with, full stop. Good luck with your search.
 
Hello Fellow Canadian.

I echo what others here have said. I would also like to add that I think finding a caring dentist can play a huge role in actually conquering dental phobia.

If I had a dentist like the one you describe, I don't know if I ever would have gotten the nerve to go to the dentist regularly. Even if I had managed to pluck up the courage to go, I think each prospective trip to the dentist would still be a battle of will.

It wasn't so long ago that I was absolutely terrified of dentists due, in large part, to the fact that I had dentists like those you describe when I was a child. About a year and a half ago, I found a caring and compassionate dentist and have gotten to the point where I really don't mind going to see her. Truth be told, I almost even look forward to going to see her.

Of course, everybody is different and I certainly recognize that many people still struggle, even after they find a kind dentist. However, finding a dentist you aren't afraid and whom you can trust of plays a huge role in helping you to get on and stay on the road to dental health.

Keep us posted.
 
Agree also, I went initially to a dentist who appeared very professional and slick (as was her surgery). However, she made me feel sub human and a failure. I found a second dentist who wasn't nearly as technically 'advanced' but just made me feel that getting my teeth sorted wasn't a big issue at all.

New dentist definitely the way forward - good luck and if the 2nd one isn't right, keep going till you find the right one. You will know when that is :)
 
Well said JenJen. You will absolutely know when you have the right dentist for you. You deserve it!
 

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