Chimp Monkey at the Dental Office - Dental Health Message Board

VictoriaB · 04-13-2004, 08:18 AM

Hi all. I'm very happy to find this message board. Boy have I been there, done it all.

After about 30,000.00 in dental work over 25 years, I'm now at the point I need full lower dentures.

THREE (that's THREE) years ago, I went in to have my wisdom teeth extracted in preparation for partial lowers. As I was sitting in the waiting room, a couple came in with a baby monkey. It was wearing a little girl's baby dress, and was on a leash.

The monkey climbed all over the furniture, all over the charts, the front desk area, and even all over some of the dental assistants. Ewwww.

In the surgery room, I asked the dental assistant whether they believed it was unsanitary to have a monkey climbing around their office. She told me the couple brings the monkey in all the time, and that monkeys are "clean" creatures, despite their reputation. (No--they aren't.)

Our conversation kind of deteriorated, with me playing the part of the unhappy client, and her playing the part of the bullying provider. The conversation ended up with her telling me if I didn't LIKE IT--I could leave. She went and got the dentist, who proceeded to lecture me about how my concerns were unjustified, as the monkey was never allowed into the oral surgery areas, restricted to the front desk area.

((I am there to have my gums cut open and where people will be working inside my mouth who have also been handling charts, pencils, desks, and etc----where a dirty monkey was just climbing, ewww))

I went ahead and had the extractions done, and left---and came home and cried and cried over the way the people in that office had treated me over something *I considered a legitimate complaint. ( A MONKEY IN AN ORAL SURGERY-DENTAL OFFICE???!!?) I went back in the afternoon to get my temporary partial put in and they were rude, and they were rude the next week when I went back complaining of blisters, and they were rude the next time too.

At that point, I stopped going to this office. When I asked for a refund, they refused to give me any kind of refund. They had already billed and *received* 1200.00 from Cigna dental, in addition to my out of pocket 400.00

That's 1600.00 for a lower denture I paid for 3 years ago and still haven't gotten.

A few months ago, I decided to give in and go back to them, as they continue to refuse to refund my money. I went back, thinking fine--I will just get the lower dentures and move on as soon as I possibly can. LOL. Right.

Now they want an additional $400.00 because my teeth have deteriorated to the point I now need full lowers rather than partials.

I am at wit's end with these people. They are supposed to be a reputable firm. I've spoken with their office manager, who has assured me that what happened to me, didn't really happen--that I must be "mistaken" in saying I was told to like it or lump it, and etc. She all but called me a liar about the monkey incident, saying that she "remembered" that day and the monkey certainly didn't climb around like I said it did. (Yes--it did.)

So far they've received 1600.00 for work they haven't performed THREE YEARS AGO---and now want another 400.00.

I got inadequate service, inadequate follow-up care, walked around with bleeding and blisters on my gums for days b/c they couldn't get the temp partials adjusted, and so on. It has been a nightmare, and now my teeth have literally rotted out of my mouth in the meantime. (If I had gotten the partials 3 years ago, they'd still be rotting and I would still need full lowers now. Sheesh.)

I sure wish I understood why the dental industry seems to be innundated with incompetent or uncaring people.

One last thing that happened, which made me laugh----after telling me my lower teeth weren't (now, 3yrs later) worth saving----the dental assistant suggested I come in for a thorough cleaning because there is a good chance they could be saved thru "aggressive treatment". HUH?

Boy I am at wit's end. I've probably been to ten dentists in my lifetime, all of whom criticize the previous work done, and tell me why I need to have it corrected, and whose enthusiasm runs out at about the same time as the insurance coverages do. I've also noticed that dentists like patients who don't ask questions, or complain about things like monkies running around the office.

Thanks for letting me just rant. Grrr. Sign me, Disgusted

JenniferWalker · 04-13-2004, 11:43 AM

Well, lots to cover here.

First off, I probably would have walked out that first day 3 years ago when I seen the monkey crawling around the office. Then I would have filed a complaint with the dental board.

We do wash our hands before and after every patient so don't be alarmed that we are 'touching charts, pens etc.'

If they were rude and treated you badly even though the work had started regarding the partial, I would have again filed a complaint with the dental board. Thats why they are there. Its a peer reviewed board and can penalize or remove a doctors license.

You are entitled to what you have paid for. However, in 3 years time, teeth can and will continue to fail, shift out of place from gum disease so the likelyhood of anything even remotely fitting is unlikely. It would be like someone wearing a retainer following braces and not using it for 3 years and not having it fit, it just won't.

I certainly would not have any cleaning done at this point if your teeth are that bad off. That doesn't seem logical to me either.

I would seek another doctor, and go for an 'interview.' Let them know your past experiences and find out how they can help you. If you are not comfortable, leave and keep looking until you find someone that you can talk to. They are out there, not all dentists are evil. Although there are quite a few of the arrogant type. Been there as well.

So, what I would do even at this point is contact your state dental board. File a complaint and let them deal with this dentist. Like I said, it is peer reviewed and you'll have the opportunity to state your case. Similar situations that I have heard of, is that some restitution is likely from that doctor.
If he is a member of the ADA, call and file a complaint with them as well. Also, call your insurance company and speak with a rep.

As far as "us" in the dental industry being incompetent or uncaring is so far from the truth. Yes there are bad dentists, but there are also bad lawyers, judges, police, teachers, hairdressers etc.

But you would likely be surprised from the amount 'caring' we feel for our patients. There have been times when all a patient and I do is sit for an hour and talk! They had a death in the family, going through a divorce, or have been hospitalized and so on. I did not go into this field to be mean and uncaring. In fact, I was that pitiful child crying when I had to go to the dentist! I was the one crying to get fillings or when I had to have teeth pulled. That is why I went into this, because I had been there!

Good luck in finding a solution to your situation.

brwneyez9 · 04-13-2004, 07:49 PM

I am sorry you had such a horrible experence at that dental office. It's office's or dentist like that that give the rest of the field a bad name. I would agree with Jennifer i would of left as soon as i saw the monkey crawling all over the place. That is not right. I cannot believe that the doctor was so unwilling to resolve the problem or at least say he was sorry and he didn't relieaze how it came across to the patients. I am sorry for all your troubles. Not all of us are uncaring in this industry. I try to get to know my patients. I have even had a deep conversion with a patient that over time that i have become close with over the years. He was comfortable enough with me that he had a personnal conversion with me about his kid(older gentlemen 80's) and we even cried. Now not all of my patients are all that comfortable and that's ok. I care about the people i see. I want them to come in and be comfortable and get the work done that is best for them and there health. I hope that you find a dentist and a team that will treat you good. goodluck