Dentist (vent)

[DNSDisney]

I am so totally ticked off at my dentist. I had an appointment today to get a root canal done. I have been on meds for 10 days now because the tooth is absessed. It is raining here today and I get behind an accident on the way, I was 15 mins late to the appt. and he refuses to take me!!
Says the root canal will take an hour and now he only has 45 mins!
I have NEVER been seen immediately in this mans office, I usually wait 20-30 mins just to get in the back office. Then another 15-20 mins for him to come into the room I am in. I am soooo ticked off!
I realize I should of left earlier in hindsight but I think he should of gone ahead and taken me. Now I can't get in to get this root canal until mid JUNE! I can't wait that long I will have a whopper of a tooth ache + we go to Disney at the end of this mth. Sorry but I don't want to have a toothache at Disney!
I am ticked at myself, at the dentist , at the accident,
I am thinking about going to try and see another dentist just to get this done before vacation!! I hate to do that though cause just going to the dentist makes me anxious going to a new one would only triple that feeling. Yes I am a coward when it comes to dentist. The tooth has gotten super sinsative to cold since I started the antibodics. I am just at my wits end and ticked!!!!
Thanks for letting me vent!! If you have any ideas for me let me know please.
Thanks
Sharon

 

[jamsmom]

When I had to change dentist, I asked when I called each one if they cater to cowards. I loved the response for me current dentist.

If you are going to WDW the end of May, you sure don't want to be hurting. I would call around.

If you find someone, call your current dentist and let them know you are coming by to pick up your records to take to the new dentist.

 

[katerkat]

That's unfortunate. The accident on the road wasn't your fault and you couldn't do anything about it! I would say try another dentist, but I doubt you can get it schedule.

The last time I went to the dentist I grew up with in NJ, I was five minutes late. The receptionist FREAKED OUT because they scheduled me for a 30-minute CHILD'S appointment. Um, I know they've been seeing me since I was 6, but I was 22 at that point!! When exactly were they going to schedule me for an "adult" appoinment??

 

[Kissimmee JP]

Originally posted by katerkat
When exactly were they going to schedule me for an "adult" appoinment??

That's easy - when someone from the adult table dies, of course.

 

[Rajah]

Another dentist coward here, too. I'd also try calling around and see what you can find, or ask around with friends and coworkers and see if anyone can recommend someone.

 

[mrsv98]

Here's a thought...due to difficult schedules, I go to the Sears Family Dentist. Many Sears stores have them. I like my dentist, they are less expensive, take insurance and are open 7 days a week including evenings. Most people don't think of Sears for a dentist, but I bet you could get an appt. fairly quick and get everything taken care of before your trip. I hope you feel better soon!

 

[peg2001]

If you have good insurance coverage or can swing the extra $, I would recommend calling around for an oral surgeon that can fit you into the schedule. They can even give you conscious sedation (essentially valium through an IV), which makes the whole procedure much more tolerable. You won't even remember it.

You dentists response to you being late shows that he doesn't care that you are in pain. Start shopping immediately for a new dentist. I know how it feels to NEED a root canal. My dentist is very popular and their schedule is full but when a patient is in pain, they make every effort to squeeze them in.

Peggy

 

[FOJMO]

Originally posted by mrsv98
Here's a thought...due to difficult schedules, I go to the Sears Family Dentist. Many Sears stores have them. I like my dentist, they are less expensive, take insurance and are open 7 days a week including evenings. Most people don't think of Sears for a dentist, but I bet you could get an appt. fairly quick and get everything taken care of before your trip. I hope you feel better soon!

I 2nd this! We have been using The Dentist Place at our local Sears store for a few years now. The owner's DD is a friend of our DD.

They are far more flexible with their appts and very reliable. They are not affiliated with Sears, but they do accept the Sears Credit Card.

 

[Micca]

I hate to hear about the way you were treated. Sears sounds like a good idea. Another thing you could do is ask some friends if they like their dentist, and when you call to make the appointment, tell your story to the receptionist. Perhaps you'd find a sympathetic ear that would book you quickly(be sure to tell them about the WDW trip). I'd call around until I found someone empathetic enough to offer some help. Good Luck.

 

[Otimon]

Call another dentist and see if the work can be done for you. Have had several root canals over the years - no pain just took time. You don't want anything to ruin your vacation.

Best wishes.

 

[Kallison]

Don't go to a dentist go to an ENDODONDIST. No one should have a root canal done by a dentist. Believe me I learned the hard way, had a dentist botch my root canal and after many years and specialists visit I finally got it done correctly. The original dentist also charged me twice as much as it should have been. I still have sinus problems because of it, ended up getting a partial bridge put in and having to have two healthy teeth filed down because I didn't want an implant. Even the specialists I visited admitted he screwed up and it is rare to get a doctor to say that about another doctor.

A reputable Endodondist will see you immediately, especially if they know you are having problems. That is all they do. My son just had a root canal, he was scheduled in less than a week -- 30 min. and he was out and on his way.

I think your dentist is a jerk and I wouldn't go to him again. Doctor's so annoy me when they act like only their time is valuable and they are doing you a big favor when you are paying them for their services.

 

[SonjaB]

Yep, Kallison hit it on the head, you need an Endodontist. Oral Surgeons don't do root canals, but a good Endodontist might be able to see you same day if you're in pain. Good luck!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yep, I have had my work done by an endodontist.
My dentists do not do root canals.

As far as your dentist, that just stinks!

 

[faith]

Your dentist sounds like a very uncaring person. I wouldn't want him working on my teeth. Especially since you were not purposely late, and he has kept you waiting for him before. Very bad PR for his office. I hope you get the dental work done by someone else before your WDW vacation.

 

[mtemm]

Another vote for an endodontist. When I had mine done, I ended up in serious pain on sunday and called my dentist at his home. He doesn't do root canals, but recommended the endodontist and prescribed pain killers in the meantime. I called first thing monday morning and I was in the chair by 11. I had to wait a week for the second appointment, but that was fine by me. The main part was done and no more pain!

Mention pain if you do call...they should be able to squeeze you in easier.

 

[peg2001]

Originally posted by SonjaH
Yep, Kallison hit it on the head, you need an Endodontist. Oral Surgeons don't do root canals, but a good Endodontist might be able to see you same day if you're in pain. Good luck!

Thank you for the correction! Too many different categories of doctors for me to keep them straight.

Peggy

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Originally posted by Kallison
Don't go to a dentist go to an ENDODONDIST. No one should have a root canal done by a dentist. Believe me I learned the hard way, had a dentist botch my root canal and after many years and specialists visit I finally got it done correctly....ended up getting a partial bridge put in and having to have two healthy teeth filed down because I didn't want an implant. Even the specialists I visited admitted he screwed up and it is rare to get a doctor to say that about another doctor.

This sounds almost exactly like my own story. I did end up with two implants tho.

I'll never have a root canal done by anyone except an endodontist again...and the one I finally ended up going to was really cute too.

 

[Disney Doll]

Fibnd an endodontist for the root canal and lose your current dentist. He sounds like an idiot.

 

[philaround]

SORRY----------LONG ONE
You're lucky he didn't start. A few months ago my DW was getting a root canal and our dentist sent her home with it 1/2 done with NO pain medication [this was late on a Friday afternoon].
Well, when the novacaine wore off my wife actually started banging her head against the wall to try to get thru the pain.
I called dentists service and was told they would page him. Called back after 10minutes and was told he did not answer his page.
Well now I'm ticked off so I call our regular family doctor to see if he can call in a pain perscription to the pharmacy. I get his service, they page him, he calls me in less the 5 minutes, he places a perscription for tylenol w/codiene[sp] and I've picked it up and am back home in about 20 minutes. DW is in heaven.
The Dentist calls back 2 HOURS later and glibly asks "What's the problem?" then he says "I was at the gym and had my pager turned off so I wouldn't be disturbed" then he asks "Do you still need something for the pain"

I tell him no our doctor took care of that over 2 hours ago oh by the way YOUR FIRED. As soon as we find a new dentist you can send my, DW's, DD's, and DSIL's charts over.

Not the end yet. He has the nerve to ask "WHY?"
I tell him that if wants to continue having patients he beter learn the meaning of "On Call"

By the way there are 4 dentists in this practice and each is on call for 1 Mon-Fri period each month and 1 Sat-Sun period each month [not in the same week] so none of them need to be on call 7 days in a row. Also the week end guy usualy takes Monday off.

 

[Pebblszzz]

Good news!!! At least for those that have these in their area...

Greenberg Dental - hubby went in there today for his first appointment, which took 2 months to even GET...and they said he needed two crowns, a cavity filled, and cleaning.

They sent him out for lunch, said come back in an hour - and right now, as I'm typing...they're doing all that work on him!!

I love our new dentists, and I haven't even been there yet...