My New Dentist Experience - get a 2nd opinion

[downsouth95]

Moved here several months ago. Made an appmt with a dentist that had a couple of good recent reviews (less than a year old). Very nice front desk staff. The hygienist was so rough I couldn't believe it. I have never been manhandled (okay woman handled so badly). This was just during the x-rays. She even closed my mouth on my tongue so it had a huge blood blister - I didn't know at the time I just told her I thought I was bleeding but she ignored me. The cleaning wasn't anymore pleasant. She did the probe thing to check the pockets of the gums etc without any help. Looking at her screen where she was entering them they were all 6,7,8 when I am use to the hygienist reading it to another assistant, and it is usually 1,2,3 and 4s. I thought maybe they have a different numbering system.

Afterwards she tells me I have periodontal disease, the roots of my teeth are deteriorating and that I need to have a deep cleaning, and that it can be painful so they need to numb me for it. They will also inject antibiotics into the gums. After this I would have to go back every three months for regular cleaning until the gums and teeth heal. I was shocked ... I hadn't been to a dentist for cleaning in a year due to the move and other things, but have always been pretty good with upkeep. The dentist himself looked briefly at my mouth xrays and concurred with her.

They gave me an estimate after calling my insurance company - I would have to pay over $850. for the anitibiotics on the initial visit as my insurance doesn't pay for that, and I would only have to pay $80 for the deep cleaning. We didn't get into how much it would cost to go back every 3 months for cleaning.

My gut told me something was wrong. Did a search on TOTV and see that this hygienist was mentioned previously in an old post about being rough. The dentist did not get good reviews several years ago. So I researched periodontists and went to one in Ocala, the only one who is board certified there. They did a very thorough exam, looked at the xrays and concluded that although they would love me as a patient that there is nothing they can do for me, my gums and teeth are healthy. That cost me $175.

So just a warning, if it doesn't feel right, get a 2nd opinion.

I will not post the name of the dental group, but if you wish to PM me I will let you know. I feel very sorry for all the patients that were coming and going out of that place.

p.s. thank you to the poster who posted reviews about her periodontist Dr. Leah Strange in Ocala. She and her staff are wonderful. She directed me to another dentist that they work with here the villages - hope that they take my insurance.

[Barefoot]

I don't understand the point of posting a negative review about a particular dentist, and then saying:
"I will not post the name of the dental group, but if you wish to PM me I will let you know. I feel very sorry for all the patients that were coming and going out of that place.".:confused:
If you feel sorry for all the patients, why not post the name of the dental office?

[NYGUY]

I don't understand the point of posting a negative review about a particular dentist, and then saying:
"I will not post the name of the dental group, but if you wish to PM me I will let you know. I feel very sorry for all the patients that were coming and going out of that place.".:confused:
If you feel sorry for all the patients, why not post the name of the dental office?

:agree:

[goodtimesintv]

I don't understand the point of posting a negative review about a particular dentist, and then saying:
"I will not post the name of the dental group, but if you wish to PM me I will let you know. I feel very sorry for all the patients that were coming and going out of that place.".:confused:
If you feel sorry for all the patients, why not post the name of the dental office?

I would be reluctant to publicly ruin the reputation of an entire dental practice when it was a hygienist who was rough and bloody, and who so-called measured the pockets.

Giving the practice name by private message is good enough.

[mixsonci]

She also said that the Dentist agreed with the hygienist. My opinion, you can't feel too bad for the patients using that dentist office if you continue to let them go there without warning. New people are looking for a dentist everyday and if someone has the opportunity to save them the pain and problems associated with this office, why wouldn't you.

Why tell us about the experience at all. Guess some people just want to vent to us, but don't really feel that bad for the other patients.

[Blessed2BNTV]

I agree and RESPECT the OP about not posting the name of the practice. If someone is concerned they could pm the OP.

Some of us are concerned about possible litigation.

[CFrance]

I agree and RESPECT the OP about not posting the name of the practice. If someone is concerned they could pm the OP.

Some of us are concerned about possible litigation.
I tend to agree with you, Blessed. If the OP had not offered a PM with the name, I would say it's a disservice to come on with such a horrific story and leave it hanging there with no ID. But s/he is offering a name privately for anyone interested in knowing.

And there is always the litigation issue.

I do hope the OP contacts the dentist about the second opinion results. Or files a complaint somewhere.

[784caroline]

The OP did it right. If she posted the name of the Dental Practice on a public BB, she would be opening herself up to "possible" litigation by the practice. Not saying the practice would win but there certainly would be a a cost to defend yourself...and im certain the Practice has deeper pockets. It happens more than you think.

[Villager Joyce]

The OP did it right. If she posted the name of the Dental Practice on a public BB, she would be opening herself up to "possible" litigation by the practice. Not saying the practice would win but there certainly would be a a cost to defend yourself...and im certain the Practice has deeper pockets. It happens more than you think.

Do you know someone that was sued over comments in TOTV? How would the person know who to sue since this is anonymous?

[Villageswimmer]

If what the OP presents are the facts, there is no need to be concerned about libel. From what I read, she is simply relaying her experience.

I would like to know the name of the practice so I can avoid it. It matters not that the problem was the hygienist. She is a member of the practice as well. I do hope OP reported this experience to the dentist(s) who supervise this hygienist.

[graciegirl]

I don't understand the point of posting a negative review about a particular dentist, and then saying:
"I will not post the name of the dental group, but if you wish to PM me I will let you know. I feel very sorry for all the patients that were coming and going out of that place.".:confused:
If you feel sorry for all the patients, why not post the name of the dental office?



Perhaps for legal reasons? I know this. This place, the first place I have lived in Florida has some real Shiester dentists. BE CAREFUL. Palm Ridge is our choice. Ethical, well educated and honest.

And from personal experience and listening to friends, Dental Hygienists here, dig deeper. Maybe because we are older and we have deeper pockets?....in our mouth too?

[Boomer]

We go to Marion Dental. They do not try to scare us or make us paranoid or take all our money.

I really like the hygienist there. She is fast and does a really good job. She does not gouge me or try to gouge me, in any way. The only thing she told me I needed to do was to buy an Oral-B electric toothbrush. (NOT from her -- just to go forth and buy one.) She also said to buy the cheapest Oral-B because it works fine, no need to go up the line. (We all know about those line-extensions. I am so confused by all my many choices of Crest Whitestrips.)

So anyway, Mr. Boomer and I stopped on the way home from Marion Dental and bought our Oral-B electric toothbrushes.........(Do you think it would be tacky if I bought some more to give as Christmas gifts. We really like them.)

Brusha Brusha Boomer :D

[Bogie Shooter]

Just wondering......
If some one PM'd and then posted the name?

[Barefoot]

I would be reluctant to publicly ruin the reputation of an entire dental practice when it was a hygienist who was rough and bloody, and who so-called measured the pockets.


Apparently the Dental Practice said there were treatments required that weren't really necessary.
So ... not just the hygienist, also the Practice.

================================================== ===============================

Interesting post by Bogie Shooter ...

Just wondering......
If some one PM'd and then posted the name?

[Dynsol]

I think the OP is/was right in not listing the name of the service provider and offering to supply by a Private message.

Have seen many times where a poster is criticized for making us aware of a possible unethical service provider by using the name of the business.

Its always a mixed bag of what to do when providing info on this website!

[Barefoot]

[QUOTE=Dynsol;1157778
Its always a mixed bag of what to do when providing info on this website![/QUOTE]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's true. But isn't it great that we're all focused on the greater good of our members, whether info is provided online or in a PM.

[lanabanana73]

Perhaps for legal reasons? I know this. This place, the first place I have lived in Florida has some real Shiester dentists. BE CAREFUL. Palm Ridge is our choice. Ethical, well educated and honest.

And from personal experience and listening to friends, Dental Hygienists here, dig deeper. Maybe because we are older and we have deeper pockets?....in our mouth too?

My 25 year old son just moved back to VT from Orlando where he lived for several years. 4 years ago, he went to a dentist there, had his teeth cleaned and was told that he needed TWENTY fillings! He was totally freaked out and never went back, or anywhere else. When he recently got home, I strongly encouraged him to go to our family dentist and get things taken care of. When he got home from his cleaning he said after he told our family dentist of his experience in Orlando, the dentist said, "Unfortunately, there are a lot of unethical dentists practicing in Florida. You have only 3 teeth that need fillings." Wow! Be on your guard, people!

[John_W]

Doing a quick Google search, I found a couple in Texas sued anoymous posters on the community website Topix and won $13 million dollars. That's a message board network that is used for various cities and towns around the country. They've been know to have posters who can say just about anything, I guess that's going to stop.

As far as doctors reviews on website such as vitals.com and yelp.com and similar, they say lawsuits that only state facts such as a procedure that was performed can be written about. However, saying the doctor had a poor attitude is an opinion and can't be proven true or false.

So as long as you are writing about your visit and don't state opinions, you'll be okay. How long was the waiting time, the hygienist not having an assistant, the costs involved, the second opinion of the Ocala dentist. I'm sure you can find ways to write your review without providing an opinion but still convey your displeasure and then provide the dentist name.

[mk1126]

This may be a bit restricting but, anyone know: a dental hygienist, in the area, that uses the more current method of high speed water stream instead of ultra scaling to remove plaque, and is covered under Delta Dental?
:

[TNLAKEPANDA]

PM sent

[Golden Years]

This may be a bit restricting but, anyone know: a dental hygienist, in the area, that uses the more current method of high speed water stream instead of ultra scaling to remove plaque, and is covered under Delta Dental?
:

I am in the dental business and have never heard of this on a professional level of care. I seen the water stream plaque removal units for home use. Can you give me more information on this?

[cquick]

I don't understand the point of posting a negative review about a particular dentist, and then saying:
"I will not post the name of the dental group, but if you wish to PM me I will let you know. I feel very sorry for all the patients that were coming and going out of that place.".:confused:
If you feel sorry for all the patients, why not post the name of the dental office?

I think it's just being considerate of the patients who might go there, and perhaps not agree.