I had not been to a dentist for a very long time as I did not have health insurance. Although I don't have any cavities or problems with my teeth I had bad experiences with dentists as a teen.
My husband convinced me I should go for a check up and a cleaning, and on principle I agree with him. However I am terrified of dentists and break a sweat just thinking of calling to make an appointment. I'm an adult, so I figured I'll call, explain my needs and like the professional health care officals they are... They will help me.
I called and explained it had been a long time since I had a checkup, that I had no issues just needed a cleaning and check up, and then proceeded to explain that due to tremendous anxiety I would need special handling. I asked if they could do that.
I did not want them to think I was a prescription drug abuser so I told them that I would be willing to see my MD for a 1 pill prescription or something, or take whatever steps necessary so that I could get this cleaning. I told her that I didn't want to be put under, but that I would need something to keep me calm.
The secretary proceeded tell me my fear of dentists was irrational and that they would take care of me and it would all be okay. I thanked her for her kind words but explained that irrational fears are *GASP* irrational, that I will burst into tears at the sight of a little metal hook and that the appointment would be a waste to everyone if I had a severe panic attack in the office. We went around and around. The secretary refused to acknowledge my panic attacks as a real medical condition saying I was "being silly" and made my appointment, and then promplty ended the call.
I should have known better than to let someone like that talk me into something I knew would go badly. However making the call was already a hard thing for me to do, so I figured... I'll try. As my appointment approached I got anxious. I tried to reason with myself, that I'm an adult, that I don't have tooth pain, never had any cavities, how bad could it be? Right?
My husband took a half a day off from work to go with me knowing how anxious I would be and to support me. We went in, I was sweating. When I got in the chair they made me wait for the doctor for like 20 minutes. Not usually a problem or a complaint for me in a doctors office. Just being in a dentist chair unfortunately sends me into a panic attack, but I worked hard to be calm. I think I did pretty well for a while.
My husband explained to the dentist about my anxiety after he asked me a few basic questions and I was clearly sweating and nervous as h*ll almost unable to answer him. The doctor seemed wholly unprepared for my needs and then actually seemed irritated at ME for being "difficult". I opened my mouth and he said he was "just going to look" at which point he grabbed a hook took and scrapped a few of my teeth with one of his elbows pressed into my shoulder (I assume) so I couldn't move. Sorry to say "just looking" isn't "scrapping". THIS is part of the reason I have anxiety about going to the dentist. Looking is not touching. I understand the medical need to probe and that generally people probably would rather not 'see it coming'... But this in my opinion is half of why I am so terrified of them. They never do what they say they will do, and generally ignore you.
Then the Dentist tells me that my gums are infected, that they will have to do in-office surgery RIGHT NOW or I will loose all my teeth. I felt this was said with a note of urgency that was unnecessary. Then he proceeds to explain the procedure in detail, which includes cutting all my gums open and rinsing them out, then stitching them shut. I burst into tears.
My husband asked again if there was anything they could do for me, and they said no, they prefer if I am awake for the procedure. My husband pointed out that clearly that would be unwise, and asked if anyone in our area practiced sleep dentistry. They said they were nto aware of anyone who did sleep dentrisy and then explained why it was bad. My husband went to bat for me trying to explain how if I burst into tears and fought the dentist off me for scrapping my tooth... Then how did they expect to CUT me?
The doctors response to this was... Sleep Dentistry, which involves anesthesia, actually has more of a chance of killing me, as is always the risk of anesthesia, so REALLY what did I have to be afraid of?
At that point it was clear that NO ONE in that office cared how I felt. I realize that it seems like I am 'just being a baby', however phobias and anxiety are real medical conditions. I had a VERY bad experience with a dentist who cut me open even though I told him the numming agent he gave me was working. Again because the dentists didn't give a shit about what I said while in the chair.
There was no compassion, no empathy, and it could all have been avoided if the secratry has just listened to me and took my concerns seriously OR told me they can't handle me and refer me to someone who can. I was extremely embarrassed. I was an adult running out of a dentists office in tears. This situation only reinforced my fear of dentists, and my husband took time off work for nothing.
Their system even put me in for a follow up check up. I did not make the appointment. My husband still goes there and they told him they just make the appointment up, and then notify you by phone. AS IF I WOULD EVER RETURN?
Then today my husband got a bill for $60 for a procedure he was told was covered. The bill from our heath care provider reads:
Procedure Cost $60.
Plan Allowance: $60.
Amount Owed By Employee: $60.
Reason Code 0: *Claim not processed in timely manner.
Amount Due: $60.
Although it's the weekend and we can not call our provider, this procedure was done before and covered by the same health care plan a year or so ago. He was told it was covered. So either way... There should have been NO BILL.
From the looks of the bill, and both of us read it several times, it appears the Dentists office did not file their claim with our health care provider when they were supposed to. THEY HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED IN THE PAST FOR THIS
Neither of us will be going back there ever again
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