Is this dentist shit?

[Ikanon]

NHS but DH uses him privately too.

Sees DCs every 6 months. DC are 6 and 3 so quite a few visits.

A couple of visits ago dentist pointed out both my DC have extra teeth. Not surprised as it runs in my family.

This visit he counts their teeth and records normal numbers. I pick him up on it given his previous statement (& the obvious fact in one of them's mouth as it's an odd number not the standard even number dentist said)

Dentist recounted and went 'oh yeah. That's fine though as they'll drop out' That may well be the case but he has TWO jobs - count them and check for holes. And he can't even do the easy bit so why trust him with the hard bit??

Also in our family they typically don't drop out and we have to have them removed so I do want him to keep on top of how many are there!

Should I ask to switch dentists for the DC even though DH sees this dentist?

Did you make any further comment? Ask him why he mis counted?

Also, your DC and DH don’t have to see the same dentist!

They don't I just don't want to make things awkward for DH.

I should have done but I was so surprised he'd made the mistake and being British I don't like to make a fuss and prefer to complain after the fact on an anonymous forum 😄

I doubt your dentist will give two hoots about whether or both they have the same dentist as their dad 😂 if DH is happy fine. If you’re not, change it. Or just put it down to a bad day, or was rushing. Yes it was a silly mistake, but if you’re happy with his attitude generally stick with it.

I wouldn’t swap my dentist for all the tea in China.

I'm a dental nurse and occasionally, usually with children rather than adults because of mixed dentition, the dentist will skip a tooth or say the wrong one. So I'll always go "is there no ULE/UL5" then he'll tell me there is, and carry on going around.

Hes most likely not a shit dentist. People make mistakes sometimes.

@ShortandSweet96

Thank you. I was just surprised as he's known their teeth since they grew them and I would have expected him to skim read the notes before the appointment. However I am not a dental professional and you are so I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

I have a different dentist to DH and DC. DH did have the same one as me but switched to an NHS one closer to home (so it made sense for DC to go there). I stuck with my private one as my teeth were awful and wanted continuity. No one at the practice said anything to me about him switching.

Now my dentist has left and a new one taken over the practice. Still think he is good clinically so kept going but he does seem to forget what is said one appointment to the next.

I wouldn't say that miscounting is a really bad mistake, it's easily done. He probably didn't have time to read the notes prior to the appointment. If you are very happy with him generally then stick with it. My DS has seen three dentists at our practice, depending on who is available. I'm not fussed who he sees as they are all very good, but it is a small, private practice, and they all communicate well with each other and read notes. This was important for us as ds is undergoing extensive treatment. Myself and dp are at the same practice but we always see the same dentist and hygienist.