Dentist sliced my tongue

[penniesphobia]

Let me start by saying,,, I am a dental freak extroidinaire. I cry just thinking about going to a dentist. I would never see a dentist without letting him know this. I do not go often, only when it's absolutely necessary.
My childhood dentist was an alcoholic and hid it from the town. But even as a child,, I knew something was beyond creepy about him. I have 3 close friends that are terrified because of this man. I can still smell the stench of burning dental matter, feel his huge latex hands stuffed down my throat and hear the drill. The drill from hell! I finally walked out on him when I was 15. But that is a whole other story from hell.
Anyway,,, fast forward 30 years, my mouth is a nighmare. I promised myself I would get my mouth done this year. Well of course it's bad. I had to get a root canal Nov 1st, no choice due to horrible pain for 2 years. During my visit,,, this guy SLICED MY TONGUE! and says, "look what you made me do". Two stitches and on my way out he hands me a cheap bouquet of grocery store flowers, saying, " thats gonna hurt". No perscription or explanation or apology.
I always take an xanax and a vicodan and have a driver there and back, even for a cleaning. So I was out of it and slept all day after, but waking up to that pain,,,ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Two weeks of misery healing, ever tried not to use your tongue?
Well it's 3 weeks later and I just can't make myself go back to finish. I have already paid a thousand dollars, which they insisted on up front. It's only half done and with a temporary cap. I've made an appointment to see a shrink. I'm a licensed nurse. I know my problem, post traumatic stress and dental phobia, but that doesn't fix the tooth. I spend way to much time fixated on my tooth now. Waiting for the cap to come off, knowing the pain is coming back, probably sooner than later.
This man has yet to call and inquire about my tongue or apologise. according to the nurse, I swallwed. My fault? No one I've talked to has ever heard of a dentist slicing a tongue. My luck, my nightmare.
Now what? I'm beyond petrified and devastated. Any suggestions?

 

[freakout]

Hi Pennies-sorry to hear about the bad experience. I would be extremely ticked off if the dentist did that to me, blamed me for it, and then didn't even apologize!!! I don't think I would ever go back to him. There are many dentist out there who treat thier patients with compassion and respect, I would definately have to look else where. I do understand that you have already prepaid for part of the treatment, however and it may be difficult for you to walk away for that dentist. The fact is that if you continue to go to this dentist and he hurts you again, then how long will you fear going to the dentist before your next visit. I by no means am over my fears, but knowing that when I go, my dentist will be as gentle and caring as possible makes it a lot easier to go. My previous dentist hurt me when doing a filling and it took me 11 years to go to the dentist, and that was only because I had an accident that knocked out all of my top teeth.

If you feel you must continue on with this dentist because of the money you have already invested, then I would at least strongly request an apology from him. Even if you did move during the procedure, he should not have said see what you made me do!

Welcome to the board and keep us posted

PS Sorry if I was ranting, but dentists who hurt patients and do not apologize really upset me. They should choose another profession

 

[letsconnect]

I certainly wouldn't go back there either , is it not possible to get the money you paid upfront back? Or if the money was for a crown that's already been made (it wasn't too clear from the description), to get the crown and let someone else put it in?

 

[gdentalfear]

Hi Pennies,

I just want to second what others have said:

I wouldn't go back there!

No harm in trying to get your money back. I had a bad experience with a dentist a few years ago relating to root canal treatment. Like you, I had been asked to pay upfront. I wrote to the practice and asked for half my money back (the treatment was supposed to take two appointments) - and they paid it back without argument.

I also complained about the dentist.- I don't know where you live, but you may want to phone the dental practice and ask what their complaints procedure is (or check out what the complainst procedure is for the dentist registry wherever you live). It made me feel better that I had formally complained about the dentist: he had treated me badly, but I had managed to speak out for myself by complaining about him.

I hope you feel better soon.

Take care.

G.