03:19 Dec 17 2009
Times Read: 776
About a month ago, I went to the dentist, due to a pain in my upper molar. I had found the dentist and done research on them and decided to try them out. They had sleep dentistry, so if I liked it, LordV would try them too.
My first appointment with them, was simply them evaluating my teeth. Checking for gingivitis, cavities and other dental problems. So, they took xrays, did the exams and then sat down to tell me the bad news. Thirteen cavities.
My only defense is that in the past 4 years, I have had other things on my mind, than my teeth. You know, MS diagnosis, almost bankruptcy, Father's heart attack, divorce, homelessness. Those things kind of took all of my attention.
So, I arrived at the dentist at 1:45pm. I checked in and sent LordV on his way. He was going to do some shopping and then swing by and pick up my antibiotics and pain meds, for the pulled tooth. They said it would be around 3:30 or 4pm. I informed them, we had to be out by 4, due to a prior appointment.
I spoke to the receptionist, named Cheryl. Cheryl asked me, "So you are here to get a tooth pulled?" I reminded her that I had called her, stayed on the phone with her, getting the medical prices to decide what I could afford with the Careington Dental insurance that I had. That we decided to fill the 4 cavities on the left side and pull the tooth with nitrous oxide.
She was like, "Oh that's right" and proceeded to charge me for all of the above.
I also reminded Cheryl, that I wanted antibiotics before and after the procedure, because of my auto immune disease. She went back and spoke to the doctor and came back with a piece of paper, asking me to write down, why I wanted the antibiotics. So I wrote:
"Diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. This is a neurological autoimmune disease. Fatigue and infection tend to cause me to have attacks (relapses)."
So, the doctor took me into the back and told me flat out, that he will authorize the antibiotics after wards, along with pain meds, but he would not give me antibiotics before.
So the doctor leaves and the technician starts setting up to give me Novocaine. I asked about the nitrous oxide and the technician was like, "Ummm, let me check." She came back in and then had me move to another room, where the nitrious oxide was. They then started talking about how to get the tooth out. I asked about filling the cavities and they stared at me blankly.
I raised my voice. "You are not instilling any confidence in me, that you know what you are doing. Nobody knows why I'm here, nobody knows what I want done, nobody knows how I want it done and you are all sitting here like bumps on a log."
They stared at me blankly.
Cheryl comes in from the front, tells them exactly what I wanted, which specific teeth were to be filled and pulled, that I wanted nitrous oxide but I had a previous experience of fainting while one it. That I wanted antibiotic before and after and that my fiance' would be picking them up. Also that I had to be out the door by 4pm, due to a previous appointment.
She calmed me down, told me that there was a break down in communication, due to everyone going to lunch. I pointed at my file and told her, "Generally, that is what is used for communication. Do they know how to read? I told them 4 times and even pointed it out in the chart, what was being done." She didn't answer me.
Now I was thinking, I want to get this tooth out, because it is giving me so much trouble, but these people are not medically professional at all. So, I was trying to make the decision to leave, when they swooped in and started.
They placed the nitrous oxide mask over my nose and told me to breath deep. I don't know about anyone else, but they expected me to breath in and out through my nose. But when I did that, I felt I wasn't getting enough oxygen and would take a breath, every once in a while, through my mouth. The Technician would hold my mouth closed, to remind me to breath through my nose.
She then asked me, if she could numb me. Like I know. I told her that I didn't feel any different yet, but to go ahead, I have a high tolerance for pain.
So, she gave me 9 Novocaine shots. Two on either side of my bottom and top molars and one in the roof of my mouth. As the doctor came in, they upped the Nitrous and I was almost put completely out, except the doctor was giving me orders. "Scoots up, turn your head this way."
So, first thing they did was fill my cavities. I will tell you, the drill feels odd when your mouth is numb. They boosted the nitrous and I was feeling no pain. I was zoning, that state just before you sleep, where you can almost be awakened. They were on the third filling, when I heard LordV's voice. I heard the technician invite him to sit down and I was struggling to wake up, to open my eyes. In my mind, I was screaming LordV's name and reaching for him. He said I was unconscious.
I remember thinking, after I heard him leave. LordV is here. He will make sure nothing happens to me. He will protect me. I then remember crying because it meant so much, to know, that he was there, watching over me.
The next time the doctor came in, I felt him grab my back tooth with pliers and start attempting to wiggle it. Now, the thing you have to understand, it was over 2 hours since the Novocaine and it was starting to wear off. So, when this cavity filled molar started crumbling in my mouth, as he was attempting to twist it out, it hurt. I screamed, way down in the back of my throat and started to kick my feet.
"Does that hurt?" The doctor asked.
I could feel the tears running down my face but I couldn't get my breath, because he still had the pliers in my mouth and they had bumped up the nitrous again.
"This is just pressure."
I finally shook my head and he pulled out the pliers. He ordered another dose of Novocaine. Between the Novocaine and nitrous, I was unconscious when he came back. I woke to a yank and the doctor saying, "we are all done."
They immediately took the nitrous off my nose and sat me up in the chair. I hadn't even opened my eyes and they were attempting to get me to stand. I mumbled, "Is my fiance' here?" They said, "well we can check." "Get him for me."
I sat on the side of the chair, just trying to focus my eyes and I heard LordV come in. He had to ask the woman to get out of his way, to get to me. He helped me on with my coat and then helped me stand up and steady myself. I put my arms around him and he put his around me and walked me out. On the way out, Cheryl told me that she needed my card again, to charge me for the nitrous. I was attempting to focus, to be able to sign the receipt, but LordV signed for me and we were off.
I have spoken to LordV and I will not be returning there, to get the rest of my fillings. Although, I have no pain right now, the incompetence and lack of medical professionalism, has turned me off from going back. I will find someone else to finish my dentist need.
COMMENTS
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Theban
11:48 Dec 28 2009
It makes sense not to change, however sometimes I so want to change mine.
Vampirewitch39
14:13 Dec 28 2009
Well said but still...
*push the do over buttom*
RedQueen
22:25 Dec 28 2009
You and I have had this discussion on many occasions. Were it not for the pain you and I suffered at the hands of others at virtually the same time in our lives, we would not have been near as appreciative of what we now have with these wonderful men.
LadyChordewa
07:02 Dec 29 2009
Very true sis.
ladyofdragonrose
18:17 Dec 31 2009
Its always this time of year, We all pause for reflection. A new year, a chance to wipe the slate clean. To never stop learning, or growing no matter how much it hurts or how much we age. We take the lessons to heart and try to remember life isnt all bad. changes are good. I am blessed with all the people I have crossed paths with. And as I enjoy telling ya sis, I wanna be like you when I grow up:)