Am I wrong????

[Chrisnstar]

We've got kind of a delicate issue with one of our health care providers. Our dentist is a terrific guy and I like him a lot. The problem is he has Parkinson's. Not good for someone who really need manual dexterity in his job!

I was going to his office, but using a different dentist in his practice. I like her a lot. She had to repair several fillings and they were all ones he had put in.

Ray has had thousands and thousands of dollars worth of work done on his mouth.. many root canals, caps on all is front teeth. And it's all falling apart.

He keeps going back and going back. It takes the dentist at least two or three visits to complete a root canal. In the meantime, DH is miserable with the aching tooth.

The other dentists who were helping in his practice are gone now, so it's only the one disabled one left.

I've suggested it's time to find a new dentist. I hate to abandon such a nice person, but our teeth are organs and they are vital to our health and well being. DH thinks we should stay with him, even though several of the caps the dentist has put on DH's teeth has come out, and several of the root canals and crowns have failed....

I hate this dilemma...
chris

[ExLibris]

Omg!! Do you have insurance, or are you paying for this out of pocket?? I'm shocked he's still legal to practice! I'm also shocked that no insurance companies have seen any red flags from the repeat business he's been having, on the same teeth... Geez!! I'd SO be finding a new dentist! Granted, I've got some serious dentist phobias, so the idea of an even slightly shaky drill coming at me sends me into shock, but still...that's awful! Yeah, I'd definitely be finding a new dentist. If Ray insists on continuing with this fella, that's his choice, as it is his teeth...unless it's costing the both of you an arm & a leg to do so. Then I'd say you have a right to step up & say, geez, it'd be cheaper to go somewhere else & get it done right the first time. Yow!

[Newfygirl]

As someone who has also run the gamut of dental work - caps, root canals, apicoectomies etc...Get thee to a new Dentist. Not only are these procedures expensive, but they are, technically, a surgery. Why subject yourself or hubby to a surgery over and over. If I were having an apendectomy, I'd sure want the Dr to take the whole thing at once, wouldn't you?? I do sympathize with your situation, though. It is touchy, but I'm sure that the dentist realizes his limitations, but is reluctant to admit it. I would think it would be extremely hard to admit that you could no longer do your job.

[Mary Ann]

I'm with dems guys, Chris. And what Ex Libris says about each choosing for yourself can help keep some peace in the house. Then when you go get a filling that doesn't fall out, Ray can want some of what you've got. Especially if your dentist is terrific.

I'm so sorry for this poor old guy. It could be he'd planned on practicing for the rest of his life, and doesn't have a retirement prepared. That's really tragic if it's so, but you're not responsible for this.

[noblesseoblige]

poor guy, I am sure he is trying valiant to do his work and conquer his illness.
But if you keep on going to him you don't do him a favor, you actually become an enabler, allowing him the illusion that his work is still viable.

Dental work is horrendously expensive and you sure should not have to pay twice, leave alone the stress of being in the chair - again.
I would find another dentist, then tell DH about it. I am sure he wants to have his teeth taken care off right the first time. If he insists to go to your old dentist, not much you can do, not worth having a battle over. But IMO, you can't be the only patients with issues, his doors will be closed sooner then you might think.

[Chrisnstar]

It's amazing. I think people still go to h im out of loyalty.. there are quite a few dentists in town, so it's not like he's the only one...

He's about our age. It's pretty sad, but I agree, I'm not willing to risk my teeth over it anymore!

chris

[linda]

I too have sympathy for the dentist---but take your teeth elsewhere. If you don't, it will become much easier for you to repair your own teeth with super glue because they will come out every night.....

We need to keep these teeth--a harder job as we age. You probably can't control where Ray gets his teeth done, but you sure can make your own choice.
Linda