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Original poster

Nightmare at dentist

43 replies

amygarrard · 02/08/2022 02:03

Took my daughter to the dentist for the woman to not tell me she had finished treating my daughter as I was bent down next to the dentist chair trying to comfort her as she was distressed. Next thing the chair has come down and crushed My leg in half trapping it between the metal frame of the chair. Don't know how to feel as I suffer with my own wellbeing and dealing with emotions. To feel trapped is the scariest thing. Think it's shock trying to process it as this never happens. How would other people feel about this?

OP posts:
Forestgate · 02/08/2022 02:05

Ouch!! How did dentist react? Usually it's pretty obvious they're done without them having to make an announcement about it? Hope you're ok

Original poster
amygarrard · 02/08/2022 02:15

As a nervous patient myself and trying to put on a brave front for my daughter honestly I never heard a thing or any indication she had finished the treatment for my daughter just down came the chair onto my leg and then she panics when I start panicking saying my leg is trapped she then got the up and down button confused somehow and pressed the down button again before finally pressing the up button releasing my leg. She did say sorry and gave me some water but yes I'm OK thankyou

OP posts:
milkyaqua · 02/08/2022 02:24

Jesus! That is a nasty bruise and a horrifying experience. I am a bit stunned that a dentist would be pressing any buttons that move the mechanics of a chair with someone standing close by. I get the panic bit, where she pressed buttons madly and crushed you further, but surely she should know her own equipment and be more in charge of her own actions?

A cup of water and an apology doesn't really cut it. Whatever you're feeling is valid. Flowers

Original poster
amygarrard · 02/08/2022 02:29

Thankyou for your message that is exactly what I was thinking myself how many other patients she treats day in and out so yeah she should surely know her equipment. Nothing like that has ever happened before. But to be trapped and she's the only person that can get me out was quite frightening just glad it wasn't any worse

OP posts:
RozaPoza · 02/08/2022 02:36

That's a very nasty bruise. Dentists are normally very careful. She squashed your leg when she sat your girl up? I'd feel very upset too. Stuff like that can trigger a lot of emotions and your child there you must have added worry and pressure to act normal. I don't think offering water and saying sorry is good enough but I don't know what exactly should happen now (compensation? complaint?)

Original poster
amygarrard · 02/08/2022 02:51

Basically my daughter was layed on the chair that wasn't very high to begin with so it didn't need to come back down alot for my daughter to get off. I was crouched down next to the chair and the next thing all of a sudden the chair comes down taking my leg with the frame coming down pinning my leg inside of the frame. Hard to explain without someone witnessing it but I'm only small 5.3 and weigh about 7 1/2 8 stone I didn't really stand a chance. And yes I was already having a tough time trying to stay calm for my daughter to get the help she needs. Thankyou for your message 😊

OP posts:
stayinghometoday · 02/08/2022 02:56

That looks so painful. What an absolute awful thing to happen. I hope it gets better soon. It sounds like a really nasty accident, and unfortunatrly those things do "just" happen. I'm not sure what she should do. What do you need from her to make this right? I can't really think of something other than the apology.

Original poster
amygarrard · 02/08/2022 03:11

Maybe a word with her manager might be appropriate then about giving proper training to her members of staff about the safety of using mechanical items when people are near by...they make sure they clear a room before they turn on their little xray machine why not the same for a big mechanical item. Not clear the room for the chair but just a word of warning anything? No word of warning she was moving it or anything.

OP posts:
RobinHumphries · 02/08/2022 09:01

Compensation? For the OP putting a body part under machinery that moves? People need to take responsibility for their own actions

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 02/08/2022 09:08

I'm surprised she was happy to treat your daughter with you so close the the chair to be honest.

Looks really nasty but it will go soon enough.

Tollystar · 02/08/2022 09:10

I'm guessing there should be an entry in the accident book? I think it would be a good idea to send the photos to the manager, saying that you wanted to update them on the accident that happened on xxx date, this is the bruising now, and that you'd appreciate it if they update you on the measures that have been put in place to prevent this happening to someone else.

VerifiedBot2351 · 02/08/2022 09:13

That’s a terrible bruise. Definitely send the image to the practice manager. I’m surprised you were able to be so close during treatment.

Meltingsocks · 02/08/2022 09:13

Nasty accident but these things happen, people make mistakes. Rest up and move on, the dentist was probably shaken to!

Original poster
amygarrard · 02/08/2022 10:09

Robin humphries when I'm petrified of the dentist so is my daughter the last thing you would realise is 1 just 1 part of whole body is slightly under something that moves? Maybe the dentist should have said I can't treat your daughter with you that close or finished now so I can move. I really hope u don't have any children you don't seem like the caring comforting type of person just shove them in job done yeah? No word no nothing no accident form literally nothing. Let's hope nothing bad ever happens to you in your life but if it does please do make sure to pop back to this thread so I can be first to laugh at you! Have a wonderful day you lovely human being. So glad this world is still full of lovely people like yourself ✌️

OP posts:
cherrypiepie · 02/08/2022 10:18

I hope you are not in too much pain op

This is a bit confusing as surely the chairs move really slowly and make an audible noise. And what was it trapped between?

Yes, you need to report this to surgery and it 100% needs investigation as that is a serious bruise.

I'd send a factual email starting with an explanation when you moved to be near the dentists chair, how long you were there for and then what happens as the chair was lowered.

I don't agree that you need compensation but an investigation and an apology yes. And a promise that training issues will be addressed as some one has made a very daft mistakes in lowering a chair on to a patient and causing an injury.

Avoid describing the Dentisit as a "woman". Use either dentist or dental nurse.

WeBuiltCisCityOnSexistRoles · 02/08/2022 10:24

"Let's hope nothing bad ever happens to you in your life but if it does please do make sure to pop back to this thread so I can be first to laugh at you!"

This is a really nasty and unpleasant thing to say. I would be surprised if you get any further support on this thread.

Hoppinggreen · 02/08/2022 10:27

WeBuiltCisCityOnSexistRoles · 02/08/2022 10:24

"Let's hope nothing bad ever happens to you in your life but if it does please do make sure to pop back to this thread so I can be first to laugh at you!"

This is a really nasty and unpleasant thing to say. I would be surprised if you get any further support on this thread.

I agree
I lost all sympathy for you at this point OP

Original poster
amygarrard · 02/08/2022 10:28

Yes sorry. I've never posted on a forum before thankyou for the advice regarding using either dental nurse/dentist. And no it just all happened to fast but my leg was folded in half in the end in between the top and bottom part of the chair underneath

OP posts:
FrownedUpon · 02/08/2022 10:29

Your responses to some posters are really unpleasant. You basically want everyone to agree that you deserve compensation then? These things happen. Don’t put your leg in such a stupid place in future.

Underscore21 · 02/08/2022 10:31

Sounds like a totally chaotic appointment tbh.

NiceTwin · 02/08/2022 10:35

This would appear to be a genuine accident rather than negligence.
I can't imagine there are many people who would be that close to the chair that they could get caught underneath.

It's only bruising, it will heal.

As an aside, I'm not sure you are empowering your dd to be brave when you are hovering so closely over her. Ot's not giving her the signal that there is nothing to worry about.
Do you have someone who isn't anxious about visiting the dentist to take her?

Original poster
amygarrard · 02/08/2022 10:35

Compensation? When did I say that?

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 02/08/2022 10:39

I doubt the dentist will ever do it again but it is worth flagging with the manager like pp suggested.

Original poster
amygarrard · 02/08/2022 10:42

Hello nice twin I'm glad you have brought that up. I never know how to approach the dentist with my daughter as I'm petrified and so is she I had to move away from all of my family when I was 19 due to years of domestic violence from my daughters dad. He's currently in prison for 25 years for murder. I suffer with mental health I have no family I can call on and I have no friends as I have medical issues with don't allow me to go out the house. So I was already feeling overwhelmed by the time I arrived at the dentist but my daughter needs work done and checkups to have a few teeth removed to make room for braces so this is just the start. Really appreciate your comment because I don't think I help her because of my own self which is horrible because we only ever want the best for our children

OP posts:
Underscore21 · 02/08/2022 10:42

As an aside, I'm not sure you are empowering your dd to be brave when you are hovering so closely over her. Ot's not giving her the signal that there is nothing to worry about.
Do you have someone who isn't anxious about visiting the dentist to take her?

^
Spot on.
You have to stay calm and role model serenity.
I think you've let your own dental phobia override your thinking skills here.

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