Who can you trust?

EnzoAmata · #1 4th November 2009, 20:29

How do you know who is good? Recommendations? What's comfortable for one person isn't for another...

I have been to the dentist twice in 14 years, not due to the lack of work needed done. I for a long time just didn't go out of fear and when I finally had, I have been put out both times and had a whole load of work done.

I need now to go back and I don't know if I should return to the same dentist, as I feel I'm getting work done which I might not need.

I'm thinking, is it better to go Private or NHS. Recently its been NHS but who can I trust? How do I know that one in every ten people aren't getting unnecessary work done. Is the work being done good work or not, how can we say if it is or isn't...

I would imagine for most people just getting the feeling of pain to go away would be considered good work. I myself am no where near the stage of getting cosmetic work done mine is just basic work keeping them from breaking.

I know this has been a bit of a rant for my first post but can anyone point me to information letting me know more about what's being done on me, point me towards the why, what, how...it should be done?

brit · #2 4th November 2009, 22:50

Personal reccommendation is the best method coupled with professional reputation since as you say a layman may not know whether too much is being done, or whether the quality is the best although if it comfortably fixes the tooth problem, lasts and looks ok...it probably is of an acceptable quality.

I personally would always go private if it were affordable for me but that's because I feel the need to control who I see which in many NHS practices is impossible to guarantee. Also the care provided on NHS is fairly basic thesedays and to feel relaxed I need a bit more than a 10 minute time slot...a bit of non-dental chat can work wonders in calming nerves.

I would say find a practice that you like the look of and which has the facilities/services you think you'd like/need to feel comfortable; and visit for a chat (which you may or may not have to pay for) to see if you 'click' with the dentist.
At the end of the day, it comes down to whether you trust the dentist on a personal level...never let someone work on you you don't like or trust to some extent.
Our Scottish Dentistfinder is here http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/for...splay.php?f=49 ..several of them have been recommended by posters/phobics and personally I'd have a look at Mike Gow if I were in Glasgow - see if what he offers might be your cup of tea. He answers questions on this forum sometimes and successfully helps a lot of nervous/phobic patients using whatever method they prefer. He'd never blow his own trumpet on here so I'm doing it for him.
http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/for...ead.php?t=3934

As for unnecessary work, there is some guidance here on how the dentist should be able to explain what and why and show you x-rays so you can make an informed decision: http://www.dentalfearcentral.org/unn...treatment.html

EnzoAmata · #3 4th November 2009, 23:06

Thank you for the feedback. I'm going to read over all you have linked me to and get back with some feedback of my own for other people who might have an interest in this thread.

Razzle3 · #4 5th November 2009, 00:07

When I saw you are in Scotland, my gut reaction was Dr. Mike as well. He has always come across on here to me as a friendly and compassionate person and dentist. I think it says a lot of him just that he takes the time to come on here and post.

I completely agree that a dentist who clicks with one person may not be a match for another. As Brit said, at least here in the US, there are dentists who offer free initial consultations. Meeting potential dentists on a non exam day along with personal recs are probably the best way to go. Much better than doing what a younger me did by literally picking the name of an OS out of the Yellow Pages!

Good Luck to you and congrats on taking the first step in coming on here and wanting to take charge of your oral health.

Mona

EnzoAmata · #5 5th November 2009, 03:13

I've been reading the links that Brit provided and also checked out the post of Dr. Mike...

As this practice is so close to where I live I'm going to call them and talk further with them about what the best course of action is. Thanks for the feedback do far.

Enzo.

drummerswife · #6 5th November 2009, 04:51

Knowing who you can trust is a big question. I agree with Brit that personal recommendations and professional reputation is really the best way to begin anyway.
I certainly nderstand how you feel. Where I live in the US we do not have government sponsored health care. Currently, our country operates on the insurance system. This is a topic being hotly debated here right now as our president is attempting to insititute a public health option.
Most people here would side with Brit who says she likes to have control over who she sees. I recommend as someone else said that you find a place that seems comfortable to you and then make an appointment to chat and go from there.

EnzoAmata · #7 5th November 2009, 10:23

I would like to explain the treatment before. I got an injection in the back of my hand to keep me sleeping while the work was taking place. The thing is because I'm sleeping and need carried out, I never get a chance to talk, ask questions or even find out what was done and why. At the time this seemed great as I didn't want to be in there any longer than I needed to. I'm now just wondering if there is alternative ways of going so I can talk and be part of my treatment...

I had four teeth removed from my bottom left hand side and what seems like one long filling spanning over the top of three teeth on the bottom and top right hand side. It's been a about a year since I've had it done but now teeth on the other side have started to break and crack around the filling, also what seems to be a hole in my gum were a teeth use to be. It's come to the point now it effecting what I eat and possibly my health, that's why I'm now actively seeking information.

I briefly mentioned before about cosmetic treatment, I'm under no impression I'm even at that stage, I'm only looking to keep my teeth in working order if I can. As I thought about it more, just keeping alive a decaying mouth isn't a good frame of mind! I'd like to reach the point of going so I can talk and be part of treatment and in fact make visits that might make my teeth look better, that seems like a better frame of mind to be go with. I'm not gonna lie my teeth seem to be in bad condition but that leads me on to my next question...

Since I have no teeth on one lower side and broken ones all over the place, how late is to late to get some kinda treatment that will restore the lost ones and fix the other ones before it gets out of hand?
I'd like to post a picture of my teeth to show people who have experience and get some opinions, is that ok with other forum members or mods?

I can say this, I only joined yesterday to ask some questions but for the first time ever I'm intrigued about going to the dentist maybe to see Dr. Mike and that alone is a big step taken. I'm going to look more into what he's been writing on the forum and seriously think about talking to him in person. I just always have that fear that as soon as you walk through the door even to pick up a leaflet, before you know it your locked in for the ride and I'm off on another mystery tour.

Thanks for taking the time to read this...if you did

drummerswife · #8 5th November 2009, 17:25

Good for you! You have every right to know exactly what work will be done, why it needs to be done, how it will be done, how long it will it will take. As I see it, you and your dentist should be partners in whatever treatment plan you BOTH decide is right for you.
Thats one of the things I like so much about my dentist. She explains everything to me in detail before she does anything and then it is completely my choice what if anything I agree to have done.There is no mystery tour. This is one of the reasons she is the only dentist who has ever gained my trust.
And I believe trust is critical to the our relationship with any health care provider be it doctors, dentists, etc.
Blessings to you

RP · #9 5th November 2009, 17:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by drummerswife

Good for you! You have every right to know exactly what work will be done, why it needs to be done, how it will be done, how long it will it will take. As I see it, you and your dentist should be partners in whatever treatment plan you BOTH decide is right for you.
Thats one of the things I like so much about my dentist. She explains everything to me in detail before she does anything and then it is completely my choice what if anything I agree to have done.There is no mystery tour. This is one of the reasons she is the only dentist who has ever gained my trust.
And I believe trust is critical to the our relationship with any health care provider be it doctors, dentists, etc.
Blessings to you

So that's why I'm getting a second opinion.

RP

sudzs · #10 5th November 2009, 18:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnzoAmata

I've been reading the links that Brit provided and also checked out the post of Dr. Mike...

As this practice is so close to where I live I'm going to call them and talk further with them about what the best course of action is. Thanks for the feedback do far.

Enzo.

I'm so jealous!!!

I moved to a brand new area, a small town, and chose my dentist from the 3 or 4 here. I wentfor the local sedation dentist but unfortunately he ripped me off, charging a fortune for cheap crowns, neither fitted and one has been replaced.

Then I followed a recommendation for a dentist from this site and indeed he seemed lovely and certainly put me at my ease but I am having continuing problems with a replacement of one of the crowns mentioned above.

I'm at the end of my tether with it all at this stage and beginning to lose the all important trust I had in him now.

So I wish you the very best Enzo, I'm sure it will work out well for you!