Dentist white coat

[jim lg]

I'm going to a new dentist in a few days. On the forms they asked me to fill out before hand, on question was "Is there anything else about having dental treatment that you'd like us to know" Would asking that the doctor not wear a white coat be an appropriate request?

 

[BoxerMom]

Can’t hurt to ask. The dentist I’m seeing doesn’t ever wear a coat. He and his entire clinical staff wear matching scrubs. I’m assuming the coat is an issue for you, so you should be upfront with them.

 

[jim lg]

Can’t hurt to ask. The dentist I’m seeing doesn’t ever wear a coat. He and his entire clinical staff wear matching scrubs. I’m assuming the coat is an issue for you, so you should be upfront with them.

The white coat is a bit of an issue for me. It is kind of an authority thing, don't you think?

I prefer the dentist to sit in front of me while speaking to me for the first time at a visit. For a few appointments I went to group practice where I never saw the same doctor or hygienist twice. Sometimes they'd enter the room and sit on their stool behind me and almost immediately recline the chair without even introducing themselves. So now I sit on the chair with my feet on the ground until we get to know one another. Works pretty well, and sends the signal that I'm submitting to treatment when I'm ready, not on their schedule.

 

[BoxerMom]

Yeah I get that. I also sit like that until I’m ready. My dentist always comes in and shakes my hand while asking how I’ve been, and he will sit on a stool facing me while we talk. It helps so much but they were fully informed of my phobia before I stepped through the door. They always seem to make an effort to make me feel more comfortable. So yes, you should definitely let them know your concerns beforehand. If you don’t feel comfortable or they don’t listen to you, speak up and let them know.

 

[jim lg]

What's your thinking about a stiff drink before an appointment?

 

[Enarete]

Would asking that the doctor not wear a white coat be an appropriate request?

I think it is ok and surely reasonable to have issues with white coats, however it might be a bit nicer just to let them know that this is a huge issue for you and makes you feel uncomfortable or that you are having much easier time coping with an appointment if the doctor does not wear a white coat. Or maybe there is anything else that would help you tolerate even a white coat, such as having a good chat at the beginning etc.? Anyway, hope they will be wearing colorful tunikas.

Alcohol is not a good idea. It can interfere with a treatment and even if it's just an exam, it will interfere with a valid consent and could be a reason for the dentist to send you home. If you feel you need some help to get yourself to the appointment, the best is to let your practice know and see what options they can give you.

 

[Judythecat]

The dentists at my surgery all wear scrubs, so do the nurses. I think that they have to (here in the UK) for infection control/hygiene reasons, plus have their arms bare to the elbow.

FWIW, I think any good dentist will have a chat with you rather than get you tipped straight back in the chair. Mine tends to lean against the wall while I perch on the chair, then after a chat she asks if she can tilt it, and I swing my legs round. I’m not a particularly nervous patient, but when I had to be referred to a specialist for root canal I was really apprehensive about seeing someone new. He had me sit in a fancy armchair while we spoke initially! (I should have had a throne for his prices, really - but he was great.)

 

[jim lg]

I think it is ok and surely reasonable to have issues with white coats, however it might be a bit nicer just to let them know that this is a huge issue for you and makes you feel uncomfortable or that you are having much easier time coping with an appointment if the doctor does not wear a white coat. Or maybe there is anything else that would help you tolerate even a white coat, such as having a good chat at the beginning etc.? Anyway, hope they will be wearing colorful tunikas.

Alcohol is not a good idea. It can interfere with a treatment and even if it's just an exam, it will interfere with a valid consent and could be a reason for the dentist to send you home. If you feel you need some help to get yourself to the appointment, the best is to let your practice know and see what options they can give you.

I wouldn't attend stumbling drunk that I couldn't drive home, but points well taken. I'd hate to suffer the angst of awaiting an appointment, get seated and all and THEN be told it was all for naught because I had three too many cocktails...

 

[Surreyvwphobic]

I am amazed any dentists still wear white coats these days! Increasingly in the UK, most dentists seem to wear tunics of varying colours (black or dark blue the most common), and the experiences I have had over the last couple of years is that most tunics I have seen look very much like one would see at a hairdressers or spa (massage therapists etc). My current dentist and her nurse wear a neat little black number which totally removes any past memories of awful coats and grey chairs....... Another good reason to research and meet before proceeding......

 

[Thephilsblogbar]

In all the years I been going to the same dental practice, I don't think I seen a dentist wear a white coat (I don't remember when I went to the dental hospital to have my removeable braces done - every 3-6 weeks)

The dental practice the nurses tend to wear a blue turnic/top (with dental pratice name on) my denist she is the owner usually wears a purple one (with dental pratice name on) the hygeinst tend to wear pink, and before covid19 the receptionist grey turnic or a plain black jumper.

 

[Thephilsblogbar]

Before the dentist I see took over the practice, most of the staff were blue or green macks type uniform tops.

 

[krlovesherkids777]

Jim lg,

"So now I sit on the chair with my feet on the ground until we get to know one another. Works pretty well, and sends the signal that I'm submitting to treatment when I'm ready, not on their schedule. "

First off,, great for you!! Love this.. setting your boundaries and showing telling your needs both verbally and non verbally. I do hate the impersonal feeling or them not looking you in the eye talking to you but immediately putting you back, and then some impersonal person with white coat who hasn't or barely introduced themselves, going past your boundaries right off , sort of autopilot.. Really doesn't do much for trust.

I have found too, that a dentist looking at me in eyes and shaking hand(might not be possible Covid era here).. but in a friendly approachable manner really asking how are you and how can they help you etc,, and answering questions before they come in ans start to put you back , maybe a joke or two would be nice too if that is their personality it does help. It just makes you feel less like some number .. and more like a person when they take the time to see you as a person and not just a body they put the chair back and work on the teeth.

My current dentist does have a white coat and so many of the ones before didn't . I just think he is more traditional in some ways like this. but at the same time he is really "cool" I guess I would say and I imagine if I asked if he took it off to help my anxiety he may most likely do it to help me. I think how he responded to my concern would be huge.. even if he took it serious but was somehow practice wise unable to , his concern would show and make me less anxious of the coat.

"On the forms they asked me to fill out before hand, on question was "Is there anything else about having dental treatment that you'd like us to know" Would asking that the doctor not wear a white coat be an appropriate request? "

I do think this is a good sign they might be a practice sensitive to pt requests and concerns, they ask about this ahead of time on the form . I'd be encouraged with that being one of the questions.

 

[chemoangel]

I wish that No white coat would work for me, but just the thought of being in a doctor or dentist office knowing what I am in for, doesn't make me feel less nervous. Sure I would definitely write that down, what can it hurt...

 

[Floralgal]

@jim lg well they asked! If they want you to be comfortable they will do it. Ita not like taking off white coat will affect your procedure. My thing that bothers me is i feel anxiety and clauterphobic with the assistant on one side and the dentist on the other. It just makes me freak out. I always askthat they stand behind me or farther away. Up untill a few years ago i had a dentist that worked alone. I never had.a problem . Now i dread going to dentist!

 

[jim lg]

@Floralgal Yes, the dentist and assistant hovering over me in the chair is awful, especially when they talk in their dental-speak. I’ve decided to let them do their thing while I tune out with over the ear noise canceling headphone and get a summary when they‘re done.

The sound involved with my treatment is bad enough, but when I hear what is going on in the neighboring rooms, that drives me nuts,