I’ve been having problems with my teeth lately, and while my dentist (a DDS) says that I need X, Y, and Z procedures, what bothers me most is that he refuses to do them before I have a “deep clean” by one of his hygienists.
There are two problems in my mind: one; that the dentist is working for me. and two. if I say “no hygienist,” then there will be no hygeinist. He disagrees. I must have some sort of “deep clean” before he will refer me to a denturist.
The last time I had a “deep clean,” I didn’t know what I was in for. What I experienced was a woman digging her knee into my chest, saying, “You need this; the dentist says so.” As it was, and I was in the dental chair, I kicked the so-called dental hygienist who was bending over me, across the room. She did not explain what she was going to do; I did not give her permission to do what she did, and she went ahead anyway. And so, she got kicked across the room, and I left (I did pay the tab for services incurred).
My question: Was I wrong? I need dental help now, but I don’t want to make any enemies. I need dentures–I haven’t been able to enjoy a steak in two years, and it takes me a long time to eat anything–but my dentist won’t help unless and until I have an appointment for “deep cleaning” by his hygienists.
How do I approach another DDS/DMD dentist, asking what is really necessary, that “hygienists” will not play a part in my dental health, and are not a condition of whether the dentist treats me or not, and for a referral to a denturist?
Its sounds easier then you may be thinking. Say you want a second opinion of the work proposed, also state you are a bit dental phobic. Before that I would check out google reviews of the perspective new dentist in respect to reviews for dental phobic reviews.
Hygienists can be very aggressive or very gentle.
In short it sounds like it’s time for a new dentist.
From what I understand, dental procedures can open you up to serious infections and complications from the crud in your mouth. The deep cleaning may be to make sure your mouth is as clean as possible before surgery for your safety. Medical professionals will often refuse procedures if patients won’t follow the safety protocol. When doctors tell patients not to eat 8 hours before surgery do you think they care about your opinion that they are working for you?
But you should be able to ask your dentist all about the reason for requiring the deep cleaning before the procedures. If you can’t ask that or he/she won’t answer, then find a new dentist. But get the work done, dental problems don’t go away because you ignore them.
Dentist here. You say you need new dentures. I assume you mean partial denture since dentures are for people with no teeth. The dentist should be doing a better job of explaining but I imagine he/she wants to have the abutment teeth(the ones the partial hooks on to) for the partial strong enough to support a new partial. The deep clean will strengthen the periodontal support for the teeth or let the dentist know if the teeth aren’t suitable to hold a partial. Also the partial has to fit properly to work. If the teeth have tarter build up one cannot make a well fitting partial.
If you think there is a problem get a second opinion. Clarify what you want to know and ask for reasons for the treatment recommended. You should do this with the first dentist also.
I assume you are exaggerating but there is no hygiene situation that I can even imagine where their knee would be in your chest and if kicked anyone in my office you would never be back.
Ask for sedation for the cleaning. There are sedation dentists here in the U.S.
The lil’wrekker has to be sedated for most procedures.
As phobic as I am you would think I need complete sedation. I don’t because I searched and found a practice I’ve grown accustomed to.(they put up with my crap) & I feel safe. Me and hygienist have a safe ‘word’ before any cleaning. If she starts to get crazy I pull out the 'word"
My advice look for another dentist. Good luck, I hope it all goes well.
Are you objecting to the cleaning or to a hygienist doing the cleaning?
If you don’t trust your dentist’s decision that you need a deep cleaning prior to the work you want done, you should find a new dentist. If you object to the division of labor within the practice of dentistry, you should get over it. Ask for a different hygienist than the one you had the first go-around.
I love my hygienist. She keeps me out of the dentist’s chair for the most part.
No formal procedure. Most people just go to another dentist either nearby or friend/family recommendation. Generally the cost is whatever the cost for the exam is. One can usually have x-rays sent from previous office to avoid paying for a second set. In my experience most people wanting a second opinion will make the appointment for that but it still requires a full or limited exam.
Just a layperson here, but I’ve been going to dentists for nearly a half century now and I actually did need a “deep cleaning” once upon a time (which really did improve my dental health) so slightly informed opinion:
Part of the job of the dentist is to tell you what you *need *to hear, not what you *want *to hear. He is not there for you to order around like a servant. You are, of course, free to disagree with what he says, reject the options he gives you, or go somewhere else. He is free to say “go elsewhere” as well.
Hygienists are part of the normal practice of dentistry. Saying “no hygenist” is like going to a car mechanic and saying “you can’t use power tools”.
“Deep clean” is necessary in some circumstances. They are typically done by a hygenist. Because they are the ones who normally do them they are probably better at them than a dentist who seldom if ever performs this procedure.
It’s rather like when you need blood drawn - you want a nurse or, better yet, a phlebotomist to do it because they do it often and all that practice makes them very good at it. Docs? Not so much. Much more likely to fumble, require multiple sticks, etc.
The you were at a sucking practice - it has been my experience that dental professionals - including hygienists - tell you what they’re going to do, ask if you have questions, and ask “are you ready?” before commencing. Also, if you haven’t had something done before it is entirely within your rights (not to mention a very good idea) to say “Could you tell me exactly what’s going to happen here?”
The fact you had a bad experience does not mean all dental hygienists are evil sadists.
If you really did kick someone across the room under those circumstances you should have been arrested for assault.
For assaulting someone trying to do their job? Hell yes! If you actually did commit that violence and weren’t speaking metaphorically.
Go to another dentist and say “I’d like a second opinion”
Sorry, hygienists are part of a “dental team” and your SOL for getting stuff done without them. It’s like going to a hospital and saying “no nurses - I only want doctors involved with my treatment”.
If you really do need a “deep cleaning” then any competent dentist is going to tell you exactly that
If you really need a “deep cleaning” you’re going to have to deal with a hygenist
Likely, if you really do need a “deep cleaning” then no one it going to do dentures for you until you have one.
It was metaphorical. Put it down to a few whiskies I had consumed to fight insomnia last night. Re-reading it today without any whisky in me, I see where it was hyperbole, and something I wouldn’t have done anyway. It was years ago, and I may have told my wife that’s what I wanted to do (but of course, didn’t) when I got home later, which memory probably rose to the fore through the fog of whisky last night. Apologies to all for not being clear, and implying something that it is not in my nature to do.
As I recall the way things really happened, at a point where the hygienist wasn’t working in my mouth, I said, “That’s it, we’re done,” and got out of the chair. She was about half done, but I paid the bill, and never went back.
Thanks to all for the replies. I guess I’m a little behind the times when it comes to modern dental practices. For most of my life, I was under the care of two dentists (when the first retired, I went to the one who bought the practice), and neither had a hygienist. Then I moved cities twice, and didn’t see a dentist for a few years. When I decided I needed to take better care of my teeth, I started going to this dentist, who had a hygienist. Perhaps the “look at the two of them as a team” approach is the best way to deal with this new (to me) situation.
I must extend a special thank-you to **rsat3acr **, who explained, in a brief post, what my dentist couldn’t seem to. Now I understand why he wants this work done. Again, many thanks.
I had a lot of dental work done in 2011-12, and it really soured me on going to dentists for a while. However, they were very understanding and non-judgmental when I finally showed up again in 2018 for a checkup and, as could be expected, a deep cleaning, and it really wasn’t that bad. The hygienist used an ultrasonic probe that looked like a fine-point knitting needle, and it was also an applicator for a lidocaine/prilocaine gel that tasted horrible but rendered the whole procedure nearly painless. I have some root exposure, so naturally those areas are very sensitive, but they were able to get all the tartar off.
I couldn’t hear or feel the scaler’s vibrations, except for some front teeth, which she said was normal. It sounded like a bee buzzing in my mouth.
As someone without dentures, I have had dentists “over-prescribe” deep cleanings in the past. It happens. You can ask for a second opinion and if you spent a little money to confirm your dentist was right–hey, she’s a good dentist.