Dental office unreasonable?

[Marseeya]

DH has an appointment today with the dentist to get two teeth pulled and it's going to be a pretty complicated thing. He has a choice of getting either gas or a pre-treatment of vicodin + valium. The pre-treatment would be ideal since he's had some bad experiences with dentists over the past couple of years. The procedure will take at least 2 hours if not more.

First of all, I'm sick and have been for a couple of days. The plan was for me to just drive him, go home (a mile away), and then come back when they call. If they want me to stay there, I wouldn't mind sitting in my car where I can put on the heater and recline in the seat.

Well, today when he went to get the prescription, they told him I had to actually sit in the office the entire time, and when he explained to them that I was sick, it didn't matter -- they want me in the waiting room, or he won't be getting the pre-treatment. They're afraid he just won't have a ride home. Hello! The parking lot is right next to the reception window.

There is no way I want to sit in that waiting room. First of all, how nice would that be, hacking and coughing all over all the other patients? Secondly, their waiting room is just plain uncomfortable -- the chairs are hard, and packed tightly together, and it's cold in there. I don't want to sit there for 2 hours on a GOOD day, let alone when I'm sick! (there's no one else to take DH, so that's not an option)

Do you think they're being unreasonable? I told DH I'm going to just go sit for a while until they start working on him, then I'm going right out to the car. What can they do then?

 

[Tina]

That's exactly what I would do. Sit for about 15 or 20 minutes (or until you're sure they've started) then excuse yourself to the bathroom and don't return. Come back in about 10 or 15 minutes before he supposed to be finished.

 

[DisneyTarheel]

Are they going to lock you in? Wait until they start the treatment and then leave.

 

[cepmom]

I think it's unreasonable too...I can't imagine why they would need you to sit there the entire time he is being worked on. I understand they need to make sure he has a ride home and all, but needing you to sit there the entire time???

I would just sit there at the beginning until he gets started then let the receptionist/secretary know that you will be back at xx time to pick him up - perhaps leave them a cell # or something they can reach you at in case anything comes up that they need you for.

 

[ChibiJones]

The surgery could end early or they could run into complications that cause them to only be able to do one tooth, etc. They've probably had too many instances of people not showing back up on time. The dental offices I've been to don't have space to put a patient who is still loopy while they wait for their ride.

 

[sha_lyn]

I don't think it is unreasonable at all. They would be leagally held responsible if he left the office without a responsible adult and either injurred himself or others. I'm sure they've had others claim they had a ride, but no one ever showed.
If the waiting room is cold, then dress warmly. If the chair are uncomfortable then bring a pillow. Afriad you'll get bored, bring a book.

 

[disneynutt1225]

Do you think they're being unreasonable? I told DH I'm going to just go sit for a while until they start working on him, then I'm going right out to the car. What can they do then?

That's exactly what I would do! Wait til they start treatment, and then if you have to, tell them you're just running out to your car for a sec.

 

[newholidayx2]

Im having 2 teeth pulled Feb 3rd and also told DH needs to stay in the waiting room the entire time. I thought it was more a reason of "what if she dies? doesnt come out of anesthesia?"

 

[Marseeya]

The surgery could end early or they could run into complications that cause them to only be able to do one tooth, etc. They've probably had too many instances of people not showing back up on time. The dental offices I've been to don't have space to put a patient who is still loopy while they wait for their ride.

In this office, they have you sit in the dentist's chair until you're able to get up and walk around (they have five), which would be plenty of time for me to drive the mile to get there -- although, like I said, I'm willing to sit in my car, so I'd be right there.

 

[Marseeya]

Im having 2 teeth pulled Feb 3rd and also told DH needs to stay in the waiting room the entire time. I thought it was more a reason of "what if she dies? doesnt come out of anesthesia?"

Just out of curiosity, what kind of anesthesia are you getting for it? He's just getting valium and vicodin.

 

[HoneyPooh]

Please please please do not sneak out once surgery starts. If there is any problem/emergency/question, the office staff needs to be able to find you without delay. If the office staff is nice (I do this often) they will let you get away with going to the parking lot and giving them a cell phone number. We try not to make a habit of this because it can back up the schedule but there are times when it's for a good reason as in your case with being sick. Just don't disappear on them please!

 

[Marseeya]

Please please please do not sneak out once surgery starts. If there is any problem/emergency/question, the office staff needs to be able to find you without delay. If the office staff is nice (I do this often) they will let you get away with going to the parking lot and giving them a cell phone number. We try not to make a habit of this because it can back up the schedule but there are times when it's for a good reason as in your case with being sick. Just don't disappear on them please!

No, I hadn't planned on sneaking out if I do it. I was going to just tell them.

Maybe I should smoke! Everyone's constantly going outside to smoke at this place, so I'm sure nobody would have a problem with that.

 

[minniecarousel]

geez - even for colonoscopies they let the driver go and come back! DH & I each had conscious sedation for those and they were perfectly willing for us to leave our cell numbers and wait in the car or wherever. I would just cough a lot and let the office gals know you'll be in the car where you can be reached by cell.

 

[miss missy]

I dunno why they are doing it that way, did you ask?

We get "put under" for pullings, and I did it plenty of times for everyone's wisdom teeth here. I give them my cell, and they call when they are done. Mine even joked "I know what your up to, your gonna leave him here aren't you" It is usually one hr. I always leave and come back, last time when she called to tell me to come back, she said " come on back fast, right now he will say yes to anything you want"

So no, I don't get why yours is being like that about it.

 

[froglady]

What if he has an allergic reaction to the meds? What if he aspirates, or has any other medical problems during the procedure? They would need to find you immediately; it's just easier to have ALL of the parents waiting close at hand, rather than having the office staff keep track of them. It's rare (thank God) but children DO die during routine dental visits, nevermind an extraction. (My children's dentist had a child arrest in the chair during a filling...he only had nitous oxide)

 

[LanaJayne]

It sounds like it is her husband that is having this treatment, not a child.

What if he didn't have a wife to stay there and had to have a taxi take him home? I don't see the problem with waiting in the car.

 

[froglady]

Sorry, it IS an adult. In that case, I don't see why she has to stay, either. My driver did stay during my colonoscopy, but I drove myself in for some minor surgery that was done under general (IV) anesthesia. I just had to wait in recovery until I was completely awake, and took a cab home. (I picked up my car later that evening.)

I've had teeth extracted with sedation, and again took a cab home.

 

[Blondie]

I've never heard of this kind of "pre treatment" anesthesia before, must be something new they are trying out.

Last year my husband had 6 teeth pulled at once and just had a local, no pre treatment of anything! He was given the option of being put under, but declined.

He was given an RX for 16 Percocets afterwards and that was that! (why "16" Percs, I have no idea!)

 

[ChrisnSteph]

Let them start the procedure, and sit it out in the lobby for 15 minutes or so. Then tell the receptionist that you feel like you are going to puke and if there is an emergency you'll be in your car - tell her where you are parked. Noone likes to clean up puke - I doubt they'll give you grief about it.

 

[horseshowmom]

I understand all of the "what if's" and "could happen's", but under the circumstances they should be willing to let you sit in the parking lot. Give them your cell phone number, tell them you're not leaving the grounds and will be right outside in the parking lot, but that you're too sick to sit in the waiting room just waiting for him to walk out.

The vomiting idea from the previous poster should work if nothing else does!