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Today I had a dental appointment to get a crown on a back tooth. I usually do pretty well with dental work, so I had no anxiety going into the appointment. The dentist who I was seeing was new to me, as the previous one had retired.
The pre-local anesthetic gel that was swabbed on my teeth really irritated a particularly sensitive tooth on that side. The dentist removed the swab after it was left in for a few minutes, irritating that tooth. I told him this, as I thought it was perhaps important medical information. He then laughs and makes a joke about the gel "tasting spicy", and then didn't address my concern and moved on.
As he gave me the local anesthetic, my mouth filled with saliva with no one evacuating it. After the 3rd stick, I explained that I salivate more than normal. (I've choked on my saliva during dental work before, so I usually need more frequent saliva evacuation). He laughed and joked that he salivates a lot too, then he continued on. His assistant (a woman) Evacuated my saliva as soon as he stepped away, which wasn't immediately (so she was doing her best I think).
As soon as he stepped out to let the local anesthetic sit, I thought about it for a minute and it just didn't sit right with me that the dentist would make jokes at my expense twice, and likely wouldn't care about my comfort while applying the crown. I grabbed my stuff and bolted out of there, telling the receptionist that I wasn't feeling well.
I later got a phone call from the receptionist asking me what was wrong and about rescheduling. I explained my issue, and felt bad when she apologized for him. I told her that wasn't necessary because it certainly wasn't her fault.
They offered to schedule me with a woman dentist there, but as I understand it, she's his wife; so she might actually treat me poorly in his defense. No problem, there are a million dentists around here and I can find another one so no thanks, I won't be returning there.
That’s awesome. Listening to and acting on our inner voice / feminine intuition is such an important skill.
I had it out with a narcissistic optician once. You just have to do what you have to do to protect yourself and don't let anyone ever tell you that you're overreacting! 👏
One time I was at the new dentist and I noticed as I walked into the room he changed the tv from CNN to BET. (I’m Black, he was Middle Eastern) I politely asked him to change it, and he did, but he claimed the woman before was watching it. LIES. I should have walked out then. When I came back the second time, he did it again. This time there were rap videos playing (the guy onscreen was literally 'bleeding' from a gunshot wound!) I asked him to shut it off. He said to me, “What, you don’t like this?” Needless to say I never returned. 🤬
I need a toenail evulsion soon since one is dead and I’m dreading going back to my podiatrist. Older white man and on the first visit on finding out I lived 22 years in LA, he said, how could you stand being around all those liberals? I said, because I am one. Last time I went, I said, Hi Dr M, nice to see you! And he replied (no kidding) oh I know it’s not nice to see me. And I was like umm, okay? Didn’t get up and walk out because I was shocked in the moment. He strikes me as one of those older white men who may be closeted and who is filled to the brim with self-hate.
Trully queen sh*t!
Always listen to your gut! I'm glad you walked out and hope you find a much better dentist soon. He sounds like a complete creep.
It's never a bad idea to leave, but sometimes it's a bad idea to stay. Well done, sis.
Good for you!
I went to this male dentist that my father recommended for a filling that fell out, and I was worried about it, so I decided to pay out of pocket instead of waiting for the VA dentist appointment. I told this guy to please go easy on my because I broke my jaw and neck in the Army, and I'm still not okay. Well, this guy was about 6'-7" tall and just kept trying to put his whole damned fist into my mouth and was really torqueing on my jaw and neck whilst his dental assistant let me nearly drown 4 times with water going into my lungs and up my nose. And I paid $950 for this experience. My next dentist was a female.