no dentist during dental appointment?
Question by good_man_101: no dentist during dental appointment?
I scheduled an appointment at a dentist office for dental exam. After finishing the paper work, I was escorted by an assistant to a room where she took pictures. Then she brought in another person she introduced as Andrew. They never said what his credentials were or whether he was a dentist or a hygienist. He finished the exam and suggested a treatment plan to be carried out in future appointments. I asked him for a prescription antibiotic as I needed immediate pain relief from a dental condition I have been having for a week. He tried be the system couldn’t let him. The front desk clerk sais she would call me tomorrow and send the prescription to the pharmacy directly. I came back home and checked Andrew’s credentials on their website. He is a hygienist. No dentist ever showed up during my appointment. I don’t understand why I was not able to see any of their real dentists and why didn’t they tell me this in before my appointment? If you are scheduling your first appointment at a dentist’s office and they do the exam, shouldn’t a real dentist take a look at the results and meet the patient? My next cleaning appointment has also been scheduled with the same hygienist. How do I get to see a dentist then? This is ridiculous. Now if I go elsewhere, my insurance wouldn’t pay for another exam. Is this normal? How do I get a proper service and attention(or at least a visit:) with a dentist?
@DOLL below who replaied…
Thanks. But I doubt the RDH is supposed to draw a treatment plan. I checked the California state laws related to dental practices and that’s what I have learned.
Best answer:
Answer by Doll
First off, if you were concerned with who was going to be doing what in your mouth, you should have asked Andrew if he was a dentist before anything was done.
A registered dental hygienist (RDH) is a licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive oral health, typically focusing on techniques in oral hygiene. Dental hygienists provide three types of services to their patients. The first of these is preventive services to promote and maintain good oral health. The second is educational services to help patients develop behaviours that promote better oral heath and help them understand the importance of practicing these behaviours. The third type of service provided is therapeutic services which are treatments meant to stop disease and maintain healthy tissues in the mouth. Local dental regulations determine the scope of practice of dental hygienists. In most jurisdictions, hygienists work for a dentist, and some are licensed to administer local anesthesia. Common procedures performed by hygienists include cleanings known as prophylaxis, scaling and root planing for patients with periodontal disease, taking of prescribed radio graphs, dental sealants, administration of fluoride, and providing instructions for proper oral hygiene and care.
Dental hygienist work together with dentist to contribute to a co-therapist environment, while providing optimum oral health care to the public. Dental hygienists also offer expertise in their field and provide the dental hygiene diagnosis, which is an integral component of the comprehensive dental diagnosis.
So based on what you stated and the above, Andrew was qualified to handle the situation. Now you can call the office and request a dentist, but depending on how they have their office set up, the dentist might only handle actual dental procedures like fillings, crowns, etc.
Answer by Dobiegal
If you went to a “dental center” they only use dentists for treatment. They are a big rip off. They invent problems and scare you into doing unnecessary work. One told me I had a huge filling in a back molar(I did) that needed a 4 canal root canal and a crown just this tooth alone be almost 2 grand. I declined treatment and 2 years later I went to my family dentist. All that molar needed was a new filling for $ 250.
Go to a private practice dentist because those “free exam and x ray” offers are scam to get you in the door and scare you into expensive treatment you probably don’t need. And a private practice dentist would never make you wait for antibiotics for what I think you implied an abscessed tooth.
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