erm in my eyes this is invasion of privacy?

[7up]

went to the dentist today and was met with an hour long wait but the worst thing was that while the man before me was having his teeth drilled i was asked to go in the surgery to rearrange my apt(couldnt wait that long with youngest).

the surgery is a fairly large room with the reception inside this room. i refused and said i wouldnt stand at a desk 4foot away from a man having his teeth done?!

i was quite astounded actually that they even thought i would. is this normal? was . i was livid for this poor man too be honest.when i phoned up to rebook the apt i told the receptionist that when i came with my eldest i wouldnt want people entering the room while we were having treatment

I wouldnt want people in the room with me while I was having my teeth worked on. And I wouldn't want to be in same room with someone having theirs done. The thought makes me shiver. Who wants to hear what they may be up next for?..lol ugh

sounds ver y weird set up..I've only ever been to place where there is a reception in one area separate waiting room and individual treatment rooms

the receptionist was totally laidback about it, so obviously it happens a lot until they ask an outspoken one like me to go in their "reception/come surgery". the mans wife was glad i spoke up and said she wouldnt have the guts too if it had been her.

what makes me die, is that the room is big enough to put a divide down or just a screen round the reception bit. unbelievable. if anyone walks in that room when me or ds are in the chair im gona flip

I think somewhere in their code of ethics/proffesional standards there is a bit about 'patients have the right to be treated in privacy' away from the public. I'd look on the General Dental Council website...

change dentist...outrageous....

cant change dentists, no one local is taking on nhs and our old dentistwho went private is booked up now. wish id never moved.

when i go in afortnight im going to bluntly suggest they pay out £20 for a cheap piece of plywood and make a screen!

I totally agree with you. it's disrespectful of both the patient receiving treatment (in particular) and the people with reception bsuiness.

If you're a nervous patient, would you want your squeals, cries, gasps etc. made public knowledge ? Would you want someone to overhear the dentist reprimanding you for not cleaning your teeth properly ? There's a 101 scenarios which should be private - these are medical procedures, not a new hairstyle.

More seriously, what if there was an emergency ? What if someone had a bad reaction to the sedative or anaesthetic, or began to choke ....... all witnessed by Mrs Brown and her 4 kids ?

Another thing - is this not contravening hygiene requirements ? Stands to reason if there's greater traffic through a treatment area, then there should be more frequent cleaning required ..... I'm not being ridiculous am I ?

I'd feel very exposed and vulnerable if that were my dentist. It's bad enough at the doctors or hospital when people you don't know and haven't been introduced to see fit to stick their head round the door while you're discussing something private, being examined or being treated.

I really feel quite shocked by your post - just never imagined such a setup would be allowed

witchcatsmother, im almost pleased that you are shocked.i spoke to a work colleague and she said that since the surgery opened just over a year ago it has been the same set up. her teenager daughter wasnt happy about and left for another dentist but i dont think anyone can actually have said anything until i did.

lol but it is outrageous I agree!