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Original poster

Sodding dentist! Long rant...

14 replies

Lisa78 · 14/05/2004 14:40

Your sympathy is required please!
I hate going to the dentist, really hate it - its not the pain (though I ain't exactly keen on that either) I just can't cope with the sounds, smell and all those things in my mouth. I'm the patient that weeps in the waiting room, when I'm only there for an inspection... My dentist herself is pretty good, she knows what I am like and is really patient and helpful but the damn receptionists
Last October, my tooth broke and I needed a crown; I was 4 weeks off giving birth so made the appointment for January. As usual, they rang the day before and had to cancel and couldn't reschedule me till March. Then they did the same again and rescheduled me for May - I have never had an appointment kept in three years... Its awful, I psych myself up then they cancel and its always weeks before they can fit you in again.
I had all the pre work done 10 days ago and had to go back for the fitting today. I got there at 10.55 for an 11am appointment and at 11.25 was still sat in the waiting room, listening to the sound of 3 lots of dental work going on - I was in a right tizz, so I spoke to the receptionist.
SNOTTY COW! I was all wobbly and trying not to cry and she was so off with me, she said that all she could do was tell me she'd be another 10 minutes. I said it was on my notes that I was a nervous patient and said why didn't she tell me when I arrived they were running half an hour late, cos I would have gone for a walk rather than sit there (with baby) and she just shrugged and said she couldn't read everybodys notes - and all this whilst she is carrying on doing something on the computer. She was only about 19 / 20 and made me feel like a right silly cow
So of course, I went in, got the injection and burst into floods of tears straight away.
Then when I came out to pay, literally shaking, it was £50 more than I'd been told. I queried it and the cow actually rolled her eyes at me and just kept saying "Its £155 Lisa" (I never mind being called by my first name, but in this instance, I felt really offended!) I came home and cried my eyes out!
I bloody hate the dentist even more now. And my face feels like I have been punched...

OP posts:

secur · 14/05/2004 14:43

Message withdrawn

Original poster

Lisa78 · 14/05/2004 16:15

Thanks secur

I am managing to eat a mushy banana sandwich at the moment

OP posts:

secur · 14/05/2004 16:25

Message withdrawn

JJ · 14/05/2004 16:34

Lisa, can you complain to the dentist about the cost? If it's a private practice, they will hopefully listen. I'd yell at them first for the rescheduling. Be a squeaky wheel.

So sorry about the fear. I completely understand -- used to have to have serious measures in place to get anything done. Do they have happy gas? I'd try that next time, although probably you already have...

Tissy · 14/05/2004 16:48

I bet there is a charge if you cancel appointments at short notice! Given that you have had your appointment rescheduled several times AND the work cost more than you were quoted, I would write a letter to the practice manager expressing surprise at the cost of the work, and disappointment that you were made to wait several months through no fault of your own. It may be that they will reimburse you some of the cost.....

sponge · 14/05/2004 16:58

Find a new dentist.
There are plenty of them out there and this one sounds hopeless.

lars · 14/05/2004 17:02

Lisa78, We had a receptionist like this at our dentist, thankfully she left. I wonder if she has gone to your dentist. I feel really sorry for you lisa78 a little understanding from her could of made all the difference to you.
I know with our last receptionist my sister complained about her as she was awful, not only to my sister but to me and my friend as well on all seperate occasions. Complain to office manager or the practise owner- really isn't on.
Larsxx

katierocket · 14/05/2004 17:46

complain. definitely. her job is to welcome people and to be polite NOT to be a stroppy cow.

poor you.

OxfordBaby · 14/05/2004 18:17

You must complain, there is no way you should have been treated like that - write a letter - explaining what happened - I don't see why you should have suffered - and receptionists should be super friendly and helpful, it's part of their job description. I always complain if I have received poor service - remember you are PAYING for the treatment and service that goes with it!!!

SecondhandRose · 15/05/2004 08:41

Hang on, your notes are personal and the dentist really shouldn't be telling his receptionist who is nervous about being there so she may not have known how you felt.

We often used to run late as people would appear in agony in the waiting room and you can't just make them sit there whilst you carry on with your booked in patients.

Also if someone in the chair is nervous you do overrun the time allowed for them so that makes the dentist late. Maybe the dentist was having to deal with problems or a knock on effect from earlier on making him or her late for you.

I would query why your bill is more than quoted, also if you have a child under one you are entitled to free treatment on the NHS. If you sign your form the day before your child is one then the treatment is free until it is finished even if it takes six months.

Not much point claiming about the receptionist as if she is in charge of appointments she may try to make it difficult for you in future.

HTH.

SecondhandRose · 15/05/2004 08:42

Sorry that was complaining not claiming!

Mog · 15/05/2004 17:43

I moved dentists because the receptionists were so snotty and it's the last thing you need when you are a nervous patient (I am too). My new dentist has a lovely reception area and I think it is so important as most patients are sitting there for longer than they are in with the dentist and that waiting period is such an anxious time.
At my new practice I did phone the practice manager after a visit to the dental hygienist. I'd told the hygienist I was 5 weeks pregnant as this can affect gum bleeding. When I got out to the reception, receptionist started quizzing me in a busy waiting room about the pregnancy - due dates, that kind of thing. When I raised this as being inappropriate as we hadn't told anyone yet and someone I knew could have been in the reception, the practise manager was brilliant. She thanked me for bringing it to their attention and assured me they would deal with this.
If the practise manager in your practice is worth anything they will act on the behaviour you describe - FWIW I think you've been treated dreadfully.

eddm · 15/05/2004 17:52

I only found out on Thursday that there is a gel dentists can put on your gum so you don't feel the needle going in for the anaesthetic... WHY has my dentist never told me about this? Bunch of sadists... apologies to anyone who is a dentist but I am outraged!

robinw · 16/05/2004 09:50

message withdrawn

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