Not a fan of my new dentist

[rachel1496]

Tell her you need that tooth removed before you're willing to do any more work and then move on to one you do like. I have horrible dental anxiety and when my usual dentist retired it took me 4 tries to find one I do like.

[alicia]

I watched Marketplace a few weeks ago, and it was about one patient going to multiple (more than twenty) dentists, all with different consensus. They said dentistry is a bit more subjective than other types of health care such as medicine and is directly related to who trained that specific dentist.

That being said, I believe you are in Halifax from previous posts, and we do have Dal dentistry. There are also lots of dentists in the city. Second opinion might be necessary. I have an excellent dentist in Sackville if you're interested.

[screamy]

I was just about to mention the Marketplace show. I wish you were in Toronto, OP, I have an amazing dentist here!

[seylz_gurl]

If you have already paid for x-rays and decide to leave I would take them with you to your new dentist. if you are experiencing pain with the other tooth she should be addressing that one right away especially if it becomes infected.

[joseff]

Never let the dentist, whether a new one or your own, talk you into work you do not want or can't afford.
In an ideal world, we'd all have a great dental plan and have mouths full of sparkling teeth. Unfortunately, I inherited really poor teeth and had an accident at an early age that also played a role in the shape my teeth were in.

I had a great dentist 20-odd years ago when my ex had a pretty good dental plan. The Dr pulled out every tooth I wanted pulled, in the chair, never suggested root canals, always was available for an emergency appointment. When he was away on holidays, I had an emergency come up and saw the on-call dentist with an absessed tooth. He wanted to root canal before anything else. I yanked out my full uppers and gave him a real strange look while asking him if it looked like I wanted to keep the one lone back tooth? He simply nodded, tried to freeze the tooth and yanked it out.

You may need to remind the dentist just exactly WHO is paying the bill and not be bullied into work you really didn't want done right away.

[lghend]

I agree, ask around and get references for a dentist. My dentist retired and the "new" one has found cavities EVERY TIME I go for a cleaning.

[Minou]

There was just a documentary on CBC a week or two ago... they were talking about how dentists often find different things... they had someone's teeth checked by a professor of dentistry, and then sent her out to a variety of dentists... and a large number of them were suggesting a whole lot of work should be done!

Are you sure you want to have the tooth pulled? How do you plan to replace it later on? Maybe a root canal could save the tooth? Things could move around on you if a space is left. Maybe see another dentist and discuss options... and maybe contact your parents for help now. You're young, and I know money is probably tight, but it would be too bad to have problems later on/an expensive implant/bridgework because of the missing tooth.

[Veronique86]

I am a dental hygienist and I can tell you 150$ per surface is TOO much! The filling charge are normally not based on the surface that is decayed but the harder/more complicated/more TIME it takes to fix. A normal filling small (not under the gum line) is normal around 140-170$ a complex filling up to 350$. I personally never seen a filling at 500$. You also mentioned that you are not experiencing pain from the other teeth but if in fact you have decayed tooth (cavities) I would definitely get them fixed sooner but please see another Dentist. The longer you wait the more money it's going to cost you. Cavities are cause by a certain bacteria that feeds off sugar and excrete acid which destroys the enamel on your teeth. The longer this process goes the closer the bacteria gets to your nerves and at that point the only solution is root canal $$$$$ or extraction (which I doubt you want a lot more removed).

For your crack tooth, I really don't understand why she didn't do the extraction. Normally a tooth cracks when there is infection and they put you on meds before they do the extraction but if there was none I have no clue why she didn't do the extraction and went ahead with the filling. I wasn't there to witness all that but from what you are saying, she is not following the normes of practice. Dentist/Dental Hygienist ALWAYS have to base their treatment according to the chef complain of the patient and needs.

Sorry for this long message...When it comes to dental hygiene I get a little carried away but please see another dentist. If you have any questions or anything feel free to pm me. Also I went to school with a lot of girls from NS if you want to pm and let me know what area you are from I could try to contact some of them to refer you to a good dentist. Either way don't let this bad experience stop you from going to the dentist (they are not all bad/trying to get your money) Good luck!!

[Veronique86]

This is in regards to Joseff's post

I understand where you are coming from. A dentist job is to inform you about all the possibilities for the treatment but their job is to try to keep your teeth as long as possible that's why they recommend the root canal. Down side is that it is $$$$. This is why everyone should work with their dentist to figure out what is best (for your teeth/wallet). Some dentist even do monthly payment plan that way you have the work done when it's best for your dental need. Again the Dentist gives all treatment possibility but the patient always decides the route they want to take.

It gets to me when i hear stories like that, just wish everyone would have good experience with Dentist.

[saveadollardiva]

I feel ya! DH and I were looking for a new dentist and finially thought we found one. DH had minor fillings put into his teeth and ever since than has had problems! He has been to the dentist 5 times to fix the problem. They came to the realization that his teeth were sensitive and needed a special kind of filling instead. They re did the fillings and it seems to have worked. But DH has never had sensitive teeth before in the past, now ever since he went to the dentis he now has this issue.

It is really hard to find a good dentist. If I were you I would look for a new one. Also, if the tooth is really bothering you can you not go to the hospital to have it removed???? It should be covered by OHIP? See if that can be a option for you.

[matrix82]

If you are in Halifax, I used to go to Public Garden Dentistry, Dr. Leslie Bashow. I found him pretty good, I went there for 4 years until I moved.

[tmlskk01]

So I cancelled my appointment with the new dentist. They charges me 50 dollars because it was less then 2 days notice but the appointment was booked less than 24 hours before. But anyway. I called my dentist back home and explained the situation he reffered me to a friend he went to school with that have an office near me and said he would call him to see if he can get me in asap. I am so relieved and love my dentist even more for taking the time to do that for me.

[newb]

Wow .. you do have a great dentist ... glad its working out

I have horrible dental anxiety and when my usual dentist retired it took me 4 tries to find one I do like.

I here ya on that .. I still white nuckle it for just cleanings ........

[LauraWill]

I don't understand How are they able to charge you $50? It's not like you are ever going to go to that dentist again, so just don't pay.. I assume you cancelled by phone? Do they have your credit card information? This is so terrible, I have an awesome dentist who has a policy to charge for late cancellations but I've had to once before as has my boyfriend and we were not charged, we still go there to this day. I have a very honest dentist, who did an extraction same day for my bf without any question. He also pointed out that he needed a cleaning and fillings but that he could feel free to make an appt for that at his leisure.

[tmlskk01]

I don't understand How are they able to charge you $50? It's not like you are ever going to go to that dentist again, so just don't pay.. I assume you cancelled by phone? Do they have your credit card information? This is so terrible, I have an awesome dentist who has a policy to charge for late cancellations but I've had to once before as has my boyfriend and we were not charged, we still go there to this day. I have a very honest dentist, who did an extraction same day for my bf without any question. He also pointed out that he needed a cleaning and fillings but that he could feel free to make an appt for that at his leisure.

They dont have my adress or any credit card number. I'm not sure how that will work out. I called a few hours after I left to cancel and I mean if she booked me the day before around noon and they close at 4pm I'm sure I didnt make her lose any business.