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I got a new Dentist. He appears to be very good at what he is doing technically and has very high ratings online, but has the personality of a robot. He never says anything to me about what is going on during the long appointments to take care of my many dental issues. He just speaks in a low hushed tone to the Dental Assistant about what he needs her to do.
Previous Dentists I have gone to would always tell me what he/she were doing and any complications that had occurred.
What do you expect from your Dentist regarding communication while the work is being done?
I expect there to be a two-way communication with mine. If he's doing something that I'm not understanding, or that he hasn't explained yet and I actually want to know about it, I ask. He also knows (because I told him) my signal for "please stop whatever you're doing in my mouth, I need to talk or scratch my nose or something." So there's never any time when I don't feel like I can ask him anything about the appointment.
Some dentists have lackluster "bedside personalities." It's not that they don't care about you as a patient. It's just like not all cashiers are exuberant, not all teachers are peppy, not all cheerleaders are extroverts when they leave the football field. Don't ever feel intimidated into not asking questions, or even telling the dentist at the start of your appointment "Please explain each step of the process to me as you go along today."
Don't forget, also, not all patients want to know. Lots of them show up, hold their breath, and try to think about laying out on a beach in Hawaii until it's over.
My dentist, who I've been seeing since November of 1979, explains everything he's doing as he goes along, and fully answers any questions I might have. I'll really be sorry when he finally retires.
I have a lifelong dread of the dentist and it doesn't bother me in the least if he doesn't explain every move he makes as I'd rather he concentrate on the job at hand and, frankly, I'm hardly able to respond to anything he says when my mouth is jammed open wider than an old barn door. Once he's done looking around he can tell me what he's planning on doing but I'm quite happy enjoying and being pleasantly distracted by the soothing background music and his lava lamps swirling as he's working.
As you can see, OP, different patients have different expectations and different methods of dealing with the dentist. Conversely, different dentists have different expectations and different methods of dealing with their patients. If you want your dentist to communicate more, then -you- need to communicate this to him. If he finds you genuinely interested, he will likely be happy to talk your ear off about what he's doing. I've found most professionals are proud of what they do and would love nothing more than an interested ear to yack at
As you can see, OP, different patients have different expectations and different methods of dealing with the dentist. Conversely, different dentists have different expectations and different methods of dealing with their patients. If you want your dentist to communicate more, then -you- need to communicate this to him. If he finds you genuinely interested, he will likely be happy to talk your ear off about what he's doing. I've found most professionals are proud of what they do and would love nothing more than an interested ear to yack at
Agree.
My dentist & hygeniest explain every little thing that they do during an appointment.
Ask the densist if he could explain what he's doing before he does it, or as he goes along through the appointment.
Ah then in that case, you might want to make sure they have good records of your dental history, look into getting a more communicable dentist, and have your "new" new dentist request a transfer of the patient file from your current new dentist.
I'd still try talking to him first, at least one more time, maybe before even the hygienist puts the bib around your neck. Tell him you are looking out for your dental health, and you need for him to communicate what he's looking at, what he sees when he looks, what he thinks about what he sees, and what prompted him to look in that particular spot for that particular thing in the first place. An example of what he -would- tell you, about what I just said:
Well, Retired Now. I'm looking at a tiny little divot in your front right upper incisor. That would be a "fang" in layman's terms. It's near the gumline, and it's grey, maybe the size of a pin head. I was checking your gums for recession - which, by the way, you have a bit of especially two teeth over between your first two molars. I noticed a tiny shadow, so I'm checking further to make sure it's not a cavity. It appears to be just a minor flaw in the enamel, but it doesn't look like it's gone all the way through so - no need to drill. I'll mark it in your file though, to keep an eye on that spot when you come back in 6 months for your next cleaning. And you make sure to call me if you feel it's gotten worse, or you start feeling sensitivity or pain in that spot.
Now.. he shouldn't feel like he needs to talk you through every single second of his examination. But he -should- be keeping you informed whenever there's something "interesting" to report. Even if he thinks that interesting thing is nothing, but wants to keep an eye on it "just in case."
To that end - another possible thing the dentist -would- say - if he was addressing the communication issues I brought up:
What am I looking at, RetiredNow? I'm looking at your gums. It's a standard part of your 6-month cleaning. Are you feeling any sensitivity when I touch the tooth just under the gumline here? No? Awesome. They look good too. That's what we're hoping for, always. I'll keep going then, it'll be just a few more minutes.
I asked him to tell me what is going on, but he did not respond.
Personally, if it was me in that situation I would not go back to that dentist.
You are paying this person a lot of money, plus it's your body that is being worked on. You have every right to have everything explained to you in detail.
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