I made an appt for the first time in 2 years. I explained issues with the stairs and was given an appt with a specified dentist downstairs. When I got there I was told said dentist was upstairs so I reiterated I'd booked with her because I'd been told she worked downstairs. I was told to wait and they'd sort it out. I waited about twenty mins or more and was then told I was seeing another dentist.
The dentist called me and I got in the chair. The - who I assume to be - dental asst. was in and out and didn't make a move to assist the dentist. The dentist looked in my mouth - after almost blinding me with the light - and asked where the pain was. I explained I had niggling pain, nothing specific, just some tenderness generally when eating which made me think perhaps some filling were in need of replacement (at this stage she looked at my notes, mentioned some meds I don't even think I'd yet started last time I was at the dentist and mentioned a medical condition I have (nothing catching, to do with muscle pain). Not sure if dentists can access a database of the meds you're on but she seemed to spend more time on that than my teeth!
Anyhow, she had a cursory look (I was concerned because she didn't do that thing dentists have always done IME anyway...you know, when they start using combos of numbers and letters when examining the teeth...).
Anyhow, after what seemed like a glance, she said she thought I may need a feeling on the lower side and did an xray. She put this 'card' in my mouth and told me to bite. I explained I was but it was cutting in to the bottom of my mouth. She did this repeatedly until she said it was complete, then told me to go back out and wait.
After a few mins she called me back in, said no filling was needed and said my mouth looked inflamed and started rooting around for toothpaste samples and mouth gel. Then she said, 'I'll see you next week'. When I went to make an appt at the desk I was given an appt and told I'd be seeing that dentist again because she'd done the initial exam.
I am reliant on a friend to bring me in to the dentist and I don't want multiple appts to no end as I am also not too well and it's not easy for me. I also do not like the dentist's. I was so perplexed by this dentist (lack of a proper examination) that I called and asked if she was a qualified dentist...very embarrassing! I was told 'yes' and when I said I was asking because I'd never attended an appt where a proper exam wasn't carried out I was told they don't always do that, that she might at the next appt.
Would you find the lack of a proper examination odd? She literally glanced, took an xray badly and gave me some toothpaste with the instruction to come back. It seems I have to see her again.
I don't want to create a fuss but she hasn't inspired confidence. I don't want to complain but it seems I have to see her next time (according to the receptionist) and if I ask to see someone else it may not go down well or I may be asked why and I'm not sure what to say as it was a generalised feeling the dentist didn't really know what she was doing (and I hate tension...I suffer with anxiety and don't want to get the sense when I next go that the 'one who complained about so and so' is in).
If I call up and ask to see another dentist, what reason can I give? She was not unpleasant or rude to me so I can only say I was not happy with the standard of treatment... Ugh! I hate situations like this. I'm already not well and suffering with anxiety!
Any advice would be apreciated (I know I sound like a wuss!)
Sorry this is long.
Thanks!