Specialist etiquette: AIBU or is he?

[Condensedmilkaddict]

DD needs braces.

I took the day off work to take her to the orthodontist (after first getting a referral from her dentist).

They sent me a letter with all the prices for XRays etc before the appointment, so I assumed - wrongly as it turns out, that it would happen today.

I took her, and he looked in her mouth for all of about 5 minutes, and said she will have to have X Rays.
Right, I said.
Expecting that to be done today...
'No' he said. 'You'll have to make another appointment for those.'
When I said I assumed it would be today because of the letter he got huffy.

And started to slowly explain to me all the appointments we will need to make, including:

1 visit for the Xray
Another visit for the mold to be made of her teeth
Another visit for us to discuss the options

SO that's 4 visits before he will begin to do anything at all.

I asked if there was any way we can do the mold and th Xray on the same day, at which point they began to treat me as if I had asked the most shocking question they had ever heard!
When I explained that I had taken the day off work to bring her, he and the therapist gave each other what can only be described as a look.

AND here's the kicker for me:
They shut at 2pm. 2pm!
So working mums are supposed to do all this, when???

So AIBU to think that they could make better use of time? Or should I just shut up and look forward to DD's straight teeth?

They abu, unless they have a very very good reason for it.

Is this the only orthodontist you can go to?

My son has to travel 40 miles each way to the orthodontist, normally he is there for a maximum of 2 minutes!

Really primarymum?? So it's common then...

How ridiculous!

Not sure Ginger. It's the one they referred me to. Maybe I can swap, but if they're all the same?? Doesn't seem much point

i think it would be worth seeing if any others open past 2pm - that is the really unreasonable part IMO

Find another one - over the duration your DD will have braces on, this one will drive you mental!!

They aren't all quite this painful - but they do each think they are GOD don't you know

I am a bit surprised at the xray that cannot be done on the same day (dd1's were most definitely done on her 1st visit)

We are already on our 3rd visit with no progress as they are waiting for more of her teeth to fall before being actually able to fit braces. it means going all the way there by bus (missing a full morning/afternoon school for a 5 minutes check with another appointment.

But, the way I understand it from the dentist who refered her, it is usually very hard to get an orthodontist appointment and I am grateful that DD1 has got "a foot in the door" even though actual treatment cannot start yet.

A bit of a pain but I am sure it will all be worth it in the end!

Unfortunately I think this is quite normal. I certainly had to do this for DD for 2 years, for 2 minute appointments. Even more frustrating when you take a day off, or rearrange work hours, and they phone and cancel at the last minue! [grrrrrrr]

Sorry to say this but this is normal.

They act as though they are doing you some great favour in seeing your child at all - never mind the fact that that is what pays their wages!!

The orthodontist for my 2DS's shuts at 3 every day. Which means that they HAD to miss school every time they had an appointment.

And I'm about to start the same process with DD1.

Bummer

They have us over a barrel really - it's not as though we can organise a Nestle type boycott either.

why cant they do the xrays and molds same day? I have a private dentist (I know not same as orthodontist) and he can do check up, xrays which are almost instant and molds for my crowns etc on the same day. It is ridiculous and a total waste of your time.

so they ABU not you. I would speak to your dentist and see if they have any others they would recommend.

I know that I am going to have to go through this with both DC soon...

YANBU. And for them to give each other a "look" about a perfectly logical request, is very annoying.

Oh you must be at the same stage as us then.

Except I had my referral for an orthadontist, took my dd on Friday. He looked at her teeth,said yes she does need braces it's borderline but I'll put it through on the NHS.

He did the moulds then the dental nurse did the x-rays whilst I did the paperwork with reception.

Next time we go she'll have the braces fitted.

So we did in 1 visit what will take you 3 visits to do!!!!!

And I was moaning about that.

To add insult to injury, I've got another 3 kids who look like they'll need em too.

I had an even weirder experience - I spent about 18 months going to see an orthodontist every 3 or 4 months, who never even touched me. He just peered into my mouth & mumbled a bit about 'next time, next time'. Then he mysteriously disappeared & the practice was shut down with no explanation. I think the caretaker got hold of a white coat & a box of gloves

After that, it was much as you describe. My second orthodontist was not the nicest man & had a serious God complex. Including displaying all of his karate certificates & photos around the waiting room.

& to be honest, when the braces were on, my mouth hurt too much after each visit to be able to go back to school that day, & I needed a bit of TLC anyway. But that may just be my experience.

BAFE

Yours was the kind of visit I was hoping for.

Oh, and DD can't get another apppointment for a month!

I think Chipping In is right - I might ring around other orthodontists tomorrow, as this one has annoyed me.

I just don't think we are compatible

While it was very nice that they had computer games in the waiting room for children and a coffee machine for parents, I think it's a bit showyoffy in a 'look how much money we are making' kind of way.

are you paying for your treatment? I'm nosy It's just that I was anxious that I would have to end up paying about £3k which I simply couldn't have paid anyway. But in the end he put us through on the nhs.

No free coffee in our waiting room!!!

Hmmm...I don't understand the ego that seems to be a common theme.

I mean...come on, they work with slobber and crooked teeth! If anyone should be down to earth it should be them!

That's ok BAFE.
I'm in Australia, so we have to pay.

So, yep about $6000 all up.

Not thrilled, but she really does need them.
AND this is why he should be more sympathetic to work hours - how else are we going to pay for them?!

Well if your paying can't you shop around for one that's got more convenient opening hours.

I'm NHS, so obviously have to go when I'm summoned