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Why???
Jul 10, 2005 16:48:40 GMT -5
Post by duck on Jul 10, 2005 16:48:40 GMT -5
The question is, now that I have finally managed to get over my fear of the dentists, I have to deal with agressive and unconcerned about phobic hygienists.
The last one I went to was horrid, and looking at a popular site with message forums for rdh's, looks like they are being trained to be agressive like that.
What now??? I don't want another experience like the last one a month ago, but don't want to go back to avoiding the dentist, either. The doc was really cool, but the rdh was a nightmare....
BTW, I absolutely HATE those ultrasonic cleaners.
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Why???
Jul 11, 2005 6:48:39 GMT -5
Post by gdentalfear on Jul 11, 2005 6:48:39 GMT -5
, Duck Great that you've managed to conquer your fear of dentists With regards to the hygenists: 1. You should have no qualms about telling your dentist that you can't see the hygenists at his practice because of the way they treat you. I can't imagine that the dentist wanting to treat his patients with kindness and gentleness will be happy yo employ a hygenist who is aggressive. He just may not know that this is what happens. So, I'd tell him and then ask him what he suggests. 2. It might it be possible for the dentist to clean your teeth instead of the hygenist. (My dentist cleans my teeth, so I don't have to see the hygenists that work there.) 3. If that isn't possible, then maybe you could ask friends, family members, colleagues what *their* hygenist is like. When you get good reports about one, contact her/him and see what they are like. I absolutely HATE those ultrasonic cleaners. Can you tell us a bit more what it is you don't like about ultrasonic cleaners? Is it the noise they make? G.
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Why???
Jul 11, 2005 22:51:47 GMT -5
Post by duck on Jul 11, 2005 22:51:47 GMT -5
I am not really sure why I don't like the ultrasonic cleaners. I think it is may be a combination of things, such as the noise, the water in the mouth, the vibrations on the teeth....really, I just don't like them. The hygienist I used where I used to live didn't use one, and he was GREAT! Every time he got a little too agressive around the gums and it hurt, he would back off and suggest a break for a minute or so, and let me focus on relaxing again. Of course, this was AFTER I tore an armrest off the chair when he was in a hurry one time!
Thanks for the great advice, I think you hit the nail on the head, and I need to be pretty frank with the clinic. I still have to be heavily sedated to have any dental procedure done, and I don't want to have to resort to that with the rdh. Moving to a new location and I have to start over and build new trust. But this person just kept saying that I was being one of "those" patients that she didn't particularly appreciate. Sheesh!
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Why???
Jul 12, 2005 1:34:49 GMT -5
Post by letsconnect on Jul 12, 2005 1:34:49 GMT -5
I can't really add anything to what G. has said already... But this person just kept saying that I was being one of "those" patients that she didn't particularly appreciate. Sheesh! - I can't see any reason why you should give your money to someone who acts in a totally unprofessional (and downright rude) manner. It might be an idea to let your dentist know why you can't see this hygienist - as G. pointed out, he may be blissfully unaware of what's going on... or else there may be a shortage of hygienists in your area and that's the only one he could get hold of... but it should be possible to figure out an alternative. Does he have more than one hygienist?
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Why???
Jul 12, 2005 7:37:26 GMT -5
Post by duck on Jul 12, 2005 7:37:26 GMT -5
Nope, small clinic and practice with just the one hygienist. I think she was leaving, though. And you are right, I live in an area that is short handed in every aspect of health care, and that makes life interesting.
Thanks for the great advice! I can't thank you for this forum enough!
Duck
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Why???
Jul 12, 2005 17:24:29 GMT -5
Post by letsconnect on Jul 12, 2005 17:24:29 GMT -5
You could just ask your dentist nicely if he can do the cleaning himself (that's what I'd do, it would seem like the easiest solution). Obviously I don't have a clue how busy he is and if that's a runner! He should be your first port of call though, considering he oversees your treatment and the cleaning is part of that treatment - and it wouldn't be in your best treatment to stay away just because of a crappy hygienist. I wish you the best of luck in working out a solution with him !
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Why???
Jul 13, 2005 0:06:09 GMT -5
Post by duck on Jul 13, 2005 0:06:09 GMT -5
That is just the thing, I really like the dentist. When I go back in for the six month, I will be in control of my treatment. I don't have perio, gums are really a-ok. It took several years to get them that way, and I am really proud of that. All that after twenty years of not going, and I wouldn't let them do a scaling or root planing. Just regular cleanings cleaned everything up. One thing about it, tho...my teeth were really clean! But a persons mouth shouldn't be sore for two days after a normal prophy, right? I just really don't want to talk about the forty-five minutes in her chair. That was bad. Soooo, since I have been in the current state I live in, I have done bad dentist-ok rdh; and great dentist--really bad rdh. I'll find the right combination yet. Hopefully, the new person he hires will have some compassion. Thanks again, you are all great.
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Why???
Jul 13, 2005 6:53:30 GMT -5
Post by letsconnect on Jul 13, 2005 6:53:30 GMT -5
One thing about it, tho...my teeth were really clean! But a persons mouth shouldn't be sore for two days after a normal prophy, right? Not in my experience... though there might be particular cirumstances under which it might happen (e. g. if your gums were already irritated). Sounds to me like she was a bit rough, but obviously I can't tell for certain... Hope the replacement turns out to be gentle and compassionate !!
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Why???
Jul 20, 2005 14:43:30 GMT -5
Post by duck on Jul 20, 2005 14:43:30 GMT -5
I now understand why the rdh was so "rough and ready" when I was in there. I recieved the printout of what was billed to my insurance company, and the cost of the cleaning was $23! This young lady wasn't being paid very well! No wonder she had an attitude.
Hope the next one is better.
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