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Orthodontist with reputation asking 13 what her issues with how her teeth look and are... She's blissfully unaware...

204 replies

SpringisSpinning · 17/03/2021 20:35

Dd has an over bite, we've been reffered, waiting list for years but also told the treatment timing is critical, jaw growth.

With covid etc it's been challenging, anyway, finally get her in and have phone appointments etc.

Orthadonrist asking questions about how daughter feels? I say well she's only known what's she's know re teeth and cosmetically she's blissfully unaware of looks etc.

He then asked her this when we saw him... And again the last time "what is your problem with your teeth, what do you hope to achieve... How do you feel about now your teeth look."

He's actually got a reputation for being rude and I'm absolutely furious that instead of simply doing the treatment he's asking these questions.

The reasons I am upset is because dd is very comfortable in her looks, she's not one for pamper parties, make up, nails etc at all.

She's 13 and seems very happy in her skin. She's not into shaving legs etc and seems wonderfully un touched by this media on slaught.

So to couch these questions on looks me.also on terms of looks how she feels now.... And how self conscious she may feel at 16 are vastly different things...

And its not something I want to even talk about because then it sounds like she does have a problem!!

OP posts:
Thoughtcontagion · 18/03/2021 11:52

My daughter has braces and was asked the same.

Onjnmoeiejducwoapy · 18/03/2021 14:36

She’s a teenager, she has some say in her own medical treatments. You’re going to really freak out when she’s an adult...

bendmeoverbackwards · 18/03/2021 18:22

God, I bloody hate these sorts of questions!

The orthodontist is the professional, he/she knows what can be achieved with treatment, so just get on and do it!

My oldest dd is currently undergoing orthodontic treatment. She has a long standing phobia of the dentist so it was pretty amazing she actually went for a consultation.

We saw two - first one asked her a load of questions which she couldn't really answer and made her more stressed. I asked her at home how she wanted her teeth to look....she said 'straight'. And that's all there is to it. Dd felt almost as if she was being told off for not 'engaging'. Well some people are like that, dentists should be able to deal with it.

Second orthodontist was brilliant - no questions or interrogation. He just got on with photos and x-rays etc. He then explained to dd what could be done and how he was going to to it. We went with him and the treatment is going very well.

It's not just about cosmetic issues - straight teeth are much easier to clean and look after.

And I don't agree that if a patient doesn't answer all these questions it means they don't want the treatment. They wouldn't be there otherwise would they?

CorianderBee · 18/03/2021 18:24

I mean I don't see the issue wit her noticing somethings wrong when there is something wrong which will be corrected?

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