Rude dental hygienist

[Spencer52]

After years of having not been to the dentist (was never taken as a child as both parents extremely nervous patients as well as myself), I had to bite the bullet and go just after covid thanks to a few fillings that needed to be done.

I am a very anxious patient and I finally found a dentist that I could trust and could not fault his work. Well done him for actually getting me to open my mouth - my previous one couldn’t even do that let alone drill away! I have finally got comfortable with him albeit still quite shaky with neeves.

However, as this practice has recently gone private I am now part of their membership plan which means I now also have to see the hygienist. I have now seen her twice and both times have been made to feel patronised and talked down too. I do not like her attitude at all and have ended up in tears at the end of the appointment. Overall I find her quite rude and condescending I know my teeth are not in the best of conditions but her talking to me the way she does has now put the whole fear back into me of no longer wanting to go back.

I am now at a loss as to what to do as I really like the dentist himself he is so calm and reassuring and knows how nervous I am. Unfortunately it’s not like I could just see another hygienist at the practice as she is the only one there - a dental checkup would satisfy me!!

 

[Surreyvwphobic]

Hello Spencer and thank you for sharing this with us all. My heart goes out to you as I suffered simular instances during my teenage years and this is what caused so much of my past dental phobia. A couple of thoughts come to mind; as I have done, could your dentist do your cleaning as well? Mine does without issue given my difficult past. The other is, you are the customer and patient and at the end of the day, it is your mouth not theirs. Hence, do not stand for any rudeness as it is simply not necessary and in fact highly unprofessional. If you have no joy, walk away and find someone else; there are plenty of lovely dentists and hygienists (yes really!) out there who will be very happy to help you and give you the care you deserve. Good luck and if I can be of any further help or support do feel free to write should you wish. With all best wishes, Simon (Surreyvwphobic)

 

[Stewart]

The customer is always right. You have the option to take your money elsewhere, and I certainly wouldnt sit there being patronised by someone.

 

[letsconnect]

In the UK, you can see any hygienist regardless of where they work. As long as you’re prepared to perhaps lose some of the benefits of the membership plan, that would be the easiest option.

It would also be worth letting your dentist know that you don’t care for the hygienist. He may not be aware of her poor bedside manner which may be losing him customers.