Another Day on the Assembly Line

[livingdeb]

Today I went back to my dentist to get a cavity filled.

I realized they had never told me, so I asked what it would be filled with.

"Resin." Hmm, I thought there was silver, gold, and ceramic.

"Is that ceramic?"

"It's tooth-colored. We don't use composite any more."

"Composite. Is that silver?"

The lack of helpfulness continued throughout my visit. I had to sign a paper detailing all kinds of things that could go horribly wrong, could go mildly wrong, or would be disappointing if I expected this procedure to magically give me perfect teeth. That's because people are sue-happy. There was nothing at all about what normally happens, why it's good to get your cavities filled, how long the numbness would last (3.5 hours), etc.

I like being told what my options are (which I suppose requires having options) or at least being told about what is proposed. And while things are being done, I like them to keep me informed on what they are doing. The first time the dentist said "Bite down," I ignored him because I was so used to him not talking to me.

Last week I asked for a copy of my records. They said these would be ready today, at a cost of $29. Even though the gigantic form they had made me sign said they would cost me $25. When I got there, they gave me one set of X-rays. I said I also wanted the records. So they made some copies and added them to the envelope. Two of the pages had pictures of teeth, but they didn't have the little numbers on them.

In conclusion, I'm just another object on the assembly line to them.

I may switch to Robin's dentist, even though he's out in Timbuktu and probably not on my insurance. I'm at least going to ask him for a second opinion on extracting my wisdom teeth.

Comments

[tamaraster.livejournal.com]

My favorite was when the dentist, who knew I was having my first filling ever asked me if I wanted resin or composite after having already drilled my tooth up. Grr!

[sallini.livejournal.com]

I guess they expect us to know the drill (heh, sorry) on basic tooth care by the time we're this old; my dentist's staff didn't go over the "why have your cavities" filled stuff either, though I did get to choose the filling material while my mouth was entirely intact. I was reasonably satisfied with the "object on an assembly line" treatment that I received from them and that I expected given that I had purchased the cheap DMO plan. Many people seem to care pretty passionately about having a "good" dentist (one who spends time with you, explains everything, treats you like a person, etc.) but I don't seem to care as long as they are competent at the job. Tooth care seems too straightforward to require the same attention I prefer in doctors dealing with complicated, inter-related systems of the body.