Dentists - Rant 2

The last time I had a rant about my dentist was on 28th October 2013 when I went to the 'patronising dentist' that had just taken over the practise where I normally go.


I didn't like him then and I like him even less now.


After my last visit (when he told me I had to visit every three months to have my teeth cleaned because the plaque was really bad)  I duly made another appointment.  OK I admit I stretched it out to about three and a half months but only because I only ever saw my previous dentist every six months and he didn't seem to have a problem with the amount of plaque on my teeth.


Anyway 'patronising dentist' actually saw me on time.  Turns out 'very lovely receptionist' who I thought had left last time, hadn't actually left.  She was just in hospital for a few days and the inefficient stand-in receptionist was actually patronising dentists wife!  Still don't know what patronising dentist is called because he still hasn't bothered to tell me.


Plonked myself down in the dental chair while patronising dentist faffed about on the computer.


The dental surgery has been refurbished.  Lots of clinical white units, and gone are the lovely mobiles that were hanging on the ceiling for children and middle ranting women to focus on.  Gone is the soothing music playing gently in the background.


Patronising dentist has employed a dental assistant.  Not really quite sure what she does.  Wasn't introduced to her either - she just seemed to be hanging around in the background.


After spending a few minutes faffing on the computer the conversation went a bit like this.  Patronising dentist doesn't do small talk:


Patronising dentist - 'Your teeth don't seem so bad today.  Are you doing something different?'


Me - 'No'.  I felt like saying, 'that's because you've made me come back after 3 months instead of 6'


Patronising dentist - 'Are you flossing?'


Me - 'No'


Patronising dentist - 'Did I use the water jet the last time'.


Me - 'I don't know'.  I felt like saying, 'How should I know - you're the one who spent more time keying stuff into your computer than actually talking to me or treating me'.


And then after he'd finished cleaning my teeth he actually asked how I felt about going to see the dental hygienist at the practise up the road???  The reason I changed to this particular practise almost 10 years ago was because the dentists and hygienists up the road all hurt me so much that they made me cry.  They were also just as patronising as patronising dentist.


Needless to say I refused point blank to do that.  So patronising dentist asked if I was anxious about dentists.  I felt like saying that I was becoming more anxious by the minute.


Then I had to wait while he keyed more stuff into the computer:


Do I ever floss?
What kind of toothbrush do I have?
Do I use an electric toothbrush?
How often do I clean my teeth?
Etc etc etc.


He wanted me to make another appointment for 3 months time.  So I made one for 4 months time.


Obviously, I had to have a bit of a moan to very lovely receptionist.  And she said that lots of other people have had a moan to her.


......................So I'm not the only person who doesn't like patronising dentist!!