>Hi All,

>I've been away from the group as a semi-lurker for a while (actually
>had work to do from 9-5, how strange.

>Anyway, I have a few questions about my last visit to the dentist that
>was yesterday.

>The basics of my visit were that, despite having clean teeth on the
>outside, the period from Thanksgiving to Christmas where I stopped
>flossing gives me 4 teeth in 3 quadrants of my mouth with cavities.
>The cavities were all in the spaces between my teeth where I noticed
>"{*filter*}" stuff when I went back to flossing after Christmas.

>I can handle that (and duly note the hard lesson learned on flossing).

>But, my doctor and hygenist are making me wonder if there's something
>wrong with my head or if I need a new dentist.  

>After my cleaning, the dentist came in and greeted me nicely, then
>they did the "huddle" behind my head with lots of "uhhuh's" and
>"yeps", then, my doctor looked into my mouth with some "there's" and
>"that's" and "yes's" from my hygenist.  Then, the doctor left, and my
>hygenist said "okay, I'll take you upfront and they'll schedule the
>next visit."  

>I quickly said, "Uh, so I have cavities", and she said "yes" and
>continued to move me out of the room.  She had the xrays in her hand,
>so, I asked to see the x-rays and see where they were.  She agreed,
>and I looked at them.

>So, I went to the desk area, and they proceeded to schedule me for 3
>different visits over the next 2 weeks for each quadrant with a cavity
>(top left, bottom left, bottom right).  They also automatically
>entered me in for composites instead of amalgam.  (Composites cost
>$125 instead of $95 for amalgam.)

>By this time, I was alone with the scheduling and billing ladies since
>the hygenist went back in.  I noticed the word "composites" on the
>computer screen, and I asked "Are they going to be composites?".  And
>she said "yes", and I said "well, if they cost more, I really don't
>care about the looks, could I get amalgam?"  And, to make a long story
>short, _they_ (the billing and scheduling secretaries) started
>advising me on the differences, they printed me out two billing sheets
>with a diagram of my teeth and the amalgam vs. composite, had me sign
>the bottom, and told me my doctor would _call_ me to discuss this!
>(Later, reading the fine print, I see that I signed something which
>said I had been told what my options were, including the effects of no
>treatment, and I had agreed to the signed plan.)

>Today's the day after, and I still don't have a call from the doctor.

>This isn't the first time it's went like this.  The time a few years
>back when I had cavities went the same way, but I was a new patient
>then, and actually forced them to have the doctor talk to me that
>time.

>This time, I was so flustered it was happening again, that I just
>left, and hoped to discuss it on the phone with her.

>Also, this same doctor likes to put headphones on you and gas you with
>nitrous and then procedes to gossip with her helper while they work on
>your teeth.  They looked upset the one time when I said I didn't want
>headphones, but they didn't gossip that time either.

>So, here's the basic questions:

>1. Am I just being paranoid that the doctor doesn't take the time to
>explain what's wrong with my mouth, ways to try and prevent it (i.e.
>better flossing?), or give me my options as to what sort of filling
>material to use?

>2. Is there anything about "between teeth" fillings that makes
>composite a better or easier choice than amalgam?  (no amalgam safety
>debates, I'm well educated on it through this group already.)

>3. Is it normal/common not to do all of the cavities at once?  Before,
>she gave me the excuse that she didn't like to leave patients with
>both sides of their mouths numb, but I did that as a kid and didn't
>care.  I feel like she's just trying to get me charged for 2 extra
>visits in the chair.  Not only that, but I effectively have to take 3
>half days from work to get 4 cavities done.  Is there a
>medical/malpractice reason for only doing one area at a time?

>4. If I do decide to switch to a different dentist, is there a formal
>way to get my records from my current dentist (or even a law requiring
>or denying it)?

>5. Other than referrals from friends, what's a good way to choose a
>new dentist, especially under these circumstances?

>Thanks,

>Jon

>While it seems that you are a bit paraniod the point is that you do
>not feel comfortable when you go to see your dentist.  

>This alone is
>reason to switch.  There are too many great dentists out there toput
>up with one that invokes feelings of {*filter*} and distrust.
>SWITCH!!!

>Hi All,
>I've been away from the group as a semi-lurker for a while (actually
>had work to do from 9-5, how strange.
>Anyway, I have a few questions about my last visit to the dentist that
>was yesterday.
>The basics of my visit were that, despite having clean teeth on the
>outside, the period from Thanksgiving to Christmas where I stopped
>flossing gives me 4 teeth in 3 quadrants of my mouth with cavities.
>The cavities were all in the spaces between my teeth where I noticed
>"{*filter*}" stuff when I went back to flossing after Christmas.
>I can handle that (and duly note the hard lesson learned on flossing).
>But, my doctor and hygenist are making me wonder if there's something
>wrong with my head or if I need a new dentist.  

>After my cleaning, the dentist came in and greeted me nicely, then
>they did the "huddle" behind my head with lots of "uhhuh's" and
>"yeps", then, my doctor looked into my mouth with some "there's" and
>"that's" and "yes's" from my hygenist.  Then, the doctor left, and my
>hygenist said "okay, I'll take you upfront and they'll schedule the
>next visit."  
>I quickly said, "Uh, so I have cavities", and she said "yes" and
>continued to move me out of the room.  She had the xrays in her hand,
>so, I asked to see the x-rays and see where they were.  She agreed,
>and I looked at them.
>So, I went to the desk area, and they proceeded to schedule me for 3
>different visits over the next 2 weeks for each quadrant with a cavity
>(top left, bottom left, bottom right).  They also automatically
>entered me in for composites instead of amalgam.  (Composites cost
>$125 instead of $95 for amalgam.)
>By this time, I was alone with the scheduling and billing ladies since
>the hygenist went back in.  I noticed the word "composites" on the
>computer screen, and I asked "Are they going to be composites?".  And
>she said "yes", and I said "well, if they cost more, I really don't
>care about the looks, could I get amalgam?"  And, to make a long story
>short, _they_ (the billing and scheduling secretaries) started
>advising me on the differences, they printed me out two billing sheets
>with a diagram of my teeth and the amalgam vs. composite, had me sign
>the bottom, and told me my doctor would _call_ me to discuss this!
>(Later, reading the fine print, I see that I signed something which
>said I had been told what my options were, including the effects of no
>treatment, and I had agreed to the signed plan.)
>Today's the day after, and I still don't have a call from the doctor.

>This isn't the first time it's went like this.

> The time a few years
>back when I had cavities went the same way, but I was a new patient
>then, and actually forced them to have the doctor talk to me that
>time.
>This time, I was so flustered it was happening again, that I just
>left, and hoped to discuss it on the phone with her.
>Also, this same doctor likes to put headphones on you and gas you with
>nitrous and then procedes to gossip with her helper while they work on
>your teeth.  They looked upset the one time when I said I didn't want
>headphones, but they didn't gossip that time either.
>So, here's the basic questions:
>1. Am I just being paranoid that the doctor doesn't take the time to
>explain what's wrong with my mouth, ways to try and prevent it (i.e.
>better flossing?), or give me my options as to what sort of filling
>material to use?
>2. Is there anything about "between teeth" fillings that makes
>composite a better or easier choice than amalgam?  (no amalgam safety
>debates, I'm well educated on it through this group already.)
>3. Is it normal/common not to do all of the cavities at once?  Before,
>she gave me the excuse that she didn't like to leave patients with
>both sides of their mouths numb, but I did that as a kid and didn't
>care.  I feel like she's just trying to get me charged for 2 extra
>visits in the chair.  Not only that, but I effectively have to take 3
>half days from work to get 4 cavities done.  Is there a
>medical/malpractice reason for only doing one area at a time?
>4. If I do decide to switch to a different dentist, is there a formal
>way to get my records from my current dentist (or even a law requiring
>or denying it)?

>5. Other than referrals from friends, what's a good way to choose a
>new dentist, especially under these circumstances?
>Thanks,
>Jon

> While it seems that you are a bit paraniod the point is that you do
> not feel comfortable when you go to see your dentist.  This alone is
> reason to switch.  There are too many great dentists out there toput
> up with one that invokes feelings of {*filter*} and distrust.
> SWITCH!!!

>> Hi All,

>> I've been away from the group as a semi-lurker for a while (actually
>> had work to do from 9-5, how strange.

>  Hi Jon-

>  Sounds like you've been "Dental Teamed"...the things that you
>describe are in accordance with carefully orchestrated scenarios
>regarding how to move the patient along the team players and get you
>to "sign off" on a treatment plan that you may have questions about
>before committing to it. Dental offices pay big bucks to learn how to
>set this up. You sound smart enough to see through it. Get a referral
>from friends, find some laid back dentist who doesn't have to do
>anything more than explain your options to you, (and takes the TIME to
>do it) to gain your trust. They ARE out there...sometimes it takes a
>few hits to score. Good Luck!

>drmarislans

>>The basics of my visit were that, despite having clean teeth on the
>>outside, the period from Thanksgiving to Christmas where I stopped
>>flossing gives me 4 teeth in 3 quadrants of my mouth with cavities.
>>The cavities were all in the spaces between my teeth where I noticed
>>"{*filter*}" stuff when I went back to flossing after Christmas.

>>I can handle that (and duly note the hard lesson learned on flossing).

>>But, my doctor and hygenist are making me wonder if there's something
>>wrong with my head or if I need a new dentist.  

>Any existing fillings between the teeth?

>How many other fillings, approximately?

>Are the cavities recognizable on the x-ray?

>>>But, my doctor and hygenist are making me wonder if there's something
>>>wrong with my head or if I need a new dentist.  

>>Any existing fillings between the teeth?
>None between the teeth.
>>How many other fillings, approximately?
>Depending on the tooth, either 2-4 small "crack" fillings (in the
>grooves that makes an x) or a large one.
>>Are the cavities recognizable on the x-ray?
>3 of the 4 were easily seen by me.  I think one possibly is going to
>the root.  It's bad, with a single, small channel straight in.  I
>don't know if they missed it last time, or if it just went really
>fast.  :(

>The 4th (and a possible 5th opposite another tooth) were tough for me
>to tell.
>Jon

>>>>But, my doctor and hygenist are making me wonder if there's something
>>>>wrong with my head or if I need a new dentist.  

>>>Any existing fillings between the teeth?

>>None between the teeth.

>>>How many other fillings, approximately?

>>Depending on the tooth, either 2-4 small "crack" fillings (in the
>>grooves that makes an x) or a large one.

>>>Are the cavities recognizable on the x-ray?

>>3 of the 4 were easily seen by me.  I think one possibly is going to
>>the root.  It's bad, with a single, small channel straight in.  I
>>don't know if they missed it last time, or if it just went really
>>fast.  :(

>With so few previous cavities, I'd wonder what's going on. Are there
>any drastic changes in eating habits (Lifesavers habits, gummy bears)
>or is there a possibility of some systemic contributions such as high
>{*filter*} sugar?

>Other than that, it just sounds like you need them fixed!

>>>>>But, my doctor and hygenist are making me wonder if there's something
>>>>>wrong with my head or if I need a new dentist.  

>>>>Any existing fillings between the teeth?

>>>None between the teeth.

>>>>How many other fillings, approximately?

>>>Depending on the tooth, either 2-4 small "crack" fillings (in the
>>>grooves that makes an x) or a large one.

>>>>Are the cavities recognizable on the x-ray?

>>>3 of the 4 were easily seen by me.  I think one possibly is going to
>>>the root.  It's bad, with a single, small channel straight in.  I
>>>don't know if they missed it last time, or if it just went really
>>>fast.  :(

>>With so few previous cavities, I'd wonder what's going on. Are there
>>any drastic changes in eating habits (Lifesavers habits, gummy bears)
>>or is there a possibility of some systemic contributions such as high
>>{*filter*} sugar?
>Um, in the last 6 months, we've gotten into the habit of drinking a
>slimfast for a quick breakfast.  Very high sugar content.

> Systemicly,
>I have "bad" {*filter*} sugar levels in my family, and we generally need to
>eat something every 3 or 4 hours.  Could this be a sign of diabetes or
>something I should get looked at for?

> (I understand that any response
>on this group would not be considered a possible medical diagnosis!)
>>Other than that, it just sounds like you need them fixed!
>Yep.
>Thanks.
>Jon