Crown Me

I'll be going to the dentist tomorrow, Friday, and I AM NOT happy about it.

I've been seeing the same dentist since 2008, and his office is an hours drive from home, but I chose him because he advertises as being a dentist who provides 'gentle dental' care.  

I always saw the same tech that cleaned my teeth, for six or more years and I built a repoire with her so she knew exactly how gentle I needed her to be, and the dentist provided whatever my needs were to keep pain at bay.  I only had one cavity since seeing him.  

THEN

about a year or year and a half ago he suddenly let all of his employees go and without any announcement I had a new tech.... then another tech, and then another tech.  It's as if they were all part time employees and I never knew who would be cleaning my teeth when I plopped down into the dental chair.  It was unnerving to me and I would have to explain my fear and sensitivities and how careful I needed them to be at every six month cleaning appointment.

At my last appointment I began to choke uncontrollably when the tech used too much of the analgesic for the numbing of my gums.  She had used so much that some of it entered my throat which numbed it and my own saliva caused me to choke and cough.... so the appointment was ended abruptly and they made a second appointment time for me to come back a few days later to complete the cleaning. 

Now.... I don't know about you, but when a patient has driven an hour each way twice to have her teeth cleaned, you would think that the same girl that started the cleaning would finish the cleaning.

Nope.

When I returned to have the cleaning and polishing of my teeth done I once again had a new person.

Prior to her completing the appointment I mentioned to her that one of the crowns that the dentist had put in less than a year prior, seemed to be loose and I could feel it pull up and down when I ate.

She checked it, said that the seal had not broken and all was okay with it.

Today the crown came off.

*hoping the dentist is as nice as the building*

I refuse to make the drive, an hour each way, to have it re-attached, so today I called a dentist that is only five miles from home, hoping that he will also be gentle and that I can have all files transferred to him and proudly call him my new dentist.

I want a dentist with techs that will listen to me and not piss me off by causing me to choke.

AND

I want the same tech at each appointment.

We don't have dental insurance but instead pay cash for their services and for that I expect perfection in the dental chair.

Wish me luck!