Feeling judged after appointment

[PinkRiceKrispies]

I am so frustrated and nearly burst into tears in the dentists office just now.
For background info, I am 39 and have 2 autoimmune diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis. Pre lockdown my teeth were always fine and never had a plaque issue. Got a few fillings and root canal work but nothing out of the ordinary for my age.
During lockdown of course I couldn't go to the dentist and my RA was bad so was having trouble brushing. When I next went the dentist said the plaque was really bad on one side. So I saw the hygienist and to be honest I found it really painful. That was last year.
I have since made a real effort with teeth brushing and don't smoke or drink. Thought today he would notice the improvement but no. Starts saying the plaque is really bad on the left side again and that I have left it too long in-between appointments. I don't understand why this keeps happening and can only assume it is my medication as like I say, before this, there were no real issues with plaque. In the end he said he would do the teeth cleaning next time but that they need to start seeing me a lot more regularly after that.
He made me feel dirty and I knew the receptionist could see I was trying to fight back tears.

 

[NervousUSA]

@PinkRiceKrispies This does sound really frustrating. Could you talk to the dentist and hygienist about your situation with the RA and medication, so they would understand what is going on? Maybe you have already done so? Another possibility, if you aren't feeling comfortable with this person, could you see another person instead?