Tooth Tale, The Continuation

If you missed the beginning of my Tooth Tale you can read it here!

On Thursday July 9 my dentist was back from vacation and was supposed to call me.  The office receptionist assured me she would red flag my file and put it on the top of the pile.  Thursday came and went with no phone call.  I called the central appointment line on Friday asking to be connected with the office.  Again I explained myself to the receptionist.  She told me the dentist would get back to me within the hour, she didn't, but she did eventually call me back.

She told me she was very sorry for the delay.  She told me she didn't understand if I wanted the root canal or the extraction.  I told her I never wanted a root canal and didn't tell anyone that I did.  It's the least advisable course of treatment, as she had told me!  Anyway, she said she would make the reference to the oral surgeon and that I should call back the central appointment line to make the appointment.  I waited an hour to make sure it was all taken care of and called.

I was questioned as to why the office didn't make the oral surgeon appointment for me.  I explained that I was told to call to make the appointment.  She was clearly unhappy with my answer and connected me to the office where they told me that before I could see the oral surgeon I needed to go back to their office for a special panorama xray!  Are you serious?!  The soonest they could get me in was Tuesday July 14 at 2:45.  Then she set the appointment with the oral surgeon for a consultation (not actual work, but a consult) on Tuesday July 21.  I wonder why the dentist didn't know about the special xray the oral surgeon needed?!

Meanwhile I have two very busy weekends ahead of me, not to mention vacation July 23-30 when we will have out of town guests.  Thankfully (and knock on wood) my tooth does not hurt as long as I'm gentle with it, avoid chewing on that side and don't do too much strenuous activity to cause it to throb, but how long will that last?  I was so upset on Friday that I wrote a letter and sent it out to everyone who I thought should know about my situation.  The only office that emailed me back was one of my local representatives.  I haven't heard from the dental group!

I had my xray appointment yesterday and after the nurse took the xray I was put into an office where the office manager spoke to me about the issues I've been having trying to get the tooth fixed.  I told her I wasn't very happy with the communication with the dentist and how I felt pushed aside while she went on vacation.  The office manager was very gracious and apologetic, of course that's her job.  And that's not going to get my tooth fixed any quicker.

After this tooth is fixed and I make an appointment for a check up and cleaning it will be with a different office.  I have no plans to go back to that office after all of this.

More to come on July 22 after my oral surgeon consult!  That should be fun...Not!

Comments

[The Incredible Woody]

Dear God - poor you! Do I need to come up there and 'assist' with these people???

[deb]

You are being very patient...realy...not sure I could do this.

I remember one time, while in the dentist chair and under gas...I heard my dentist say, looking at my tennis bracelet...she should have spent that on her teeth! I never went back to him, but saw his partner...

[Daryl]

I dont understand .. you dont live in a backwater town, you dont live is a third world country. WHY could you not get in to see a dentist, get a referral and get treated w/o all this nonsense? I would be for sure whining to my dental insurance co. and anyone else who'd listen. I have had many root canals and never once was I asked if I wanted it pulled or saved ... in my entire life I have seen only 4 dentists and not a single one of them has ever advocated an extraction over a save/root canal.

[noble pig]

Wow, they seriously dropped the ball! I can't believe that!

[Mental P Mama]

Good Lord. I hope it comes out well;)

[Asthmagirl]

Aw Honey... Like I told you last week, they need to be canned and a letter writing campaign started. You've been far too nice when faced with their incompetence and a tooth that is on the brink.

There is just no excuse.

[Julie]

That is just crazy the run around they are giving you. Have you called the dental insurance co? I'd give them a good chewing out.

[♥Tracey♥]

Can't say that I blame you! Yikes!

BTW, called my allergist today (AGAIN) now 3 weeks after blood work...left my name and number for results...no call back.

*sigh*

[Rachel]

That's insane!!!!!!! Anything tooth related makes my stomach curdle!!! I hope it gets worked out soon!

[Jenn @ Juggling Life]

I cannot tolerate dental HMOs. That's what my husband's work offers, so we pay for a private plan through AFLAC.

Reimbursement rates are so low through traditional dental plans that the dentists that work for the HMOs are never very good--it's truly a sorry state of affairs.

I read Deb's comment and have to say that I've spent way more than the cost of a nice tennis bracelet on my teeth--though my problem is periodontial is definitely genetic.

Good luck!

[cosmetic dentist pasadena]

Yeah right! you are so patient, I don't think I could do that thing.

-heather-