I do not think that word means what you think it means

[rolanni]

So had follow-up at dentist, which was, according to him, a "consultation."  To me, "consultation" means sitting 'round a table and drawing up a Treatment Plan, or figuring out which things are priorities and which are pie in the sky.  "You will not," the dentist said to me -- the last thing he said to me, at the end of our last appointment -- "need to take the sedative."

So, I didn't take the sedative, and I didn't bring the bear.  BIG mistake, there.  I'm gonna start making it Policy to just bring the damn' bear.  She can sit in a chair next to me and play with the pens if it turns out we're in a meeting.  Because! It comes to pass that the dentist's idea of "consultation" is, You sit in the dental chair; I show you the model of your mouth and what the problem is.  I tell you what I'm going to do about it.  Then, I do it, right now.

On top of this, the Tooth of Doom (which always hurts, a little, no matter that I've given it two root canals and a pretty porcelain cap) blew up on me yesterday, which I noticed when I took my first sip of coffee and the pain sent me Right. Through. The. Ceiling.

Informed of this circumstance, the dentist decided to knock around on the teeth on either side of the Tooth of Doom, to see if anything else was compromised.  I can see where this is going to end up -- I mean, I'm not an idiot -- and I carefully tuck my hands under my thighs so I don't hurt anybody.

Knock Tooth One.  "Does this hurt?" Headshake.

Knock Tooth Two.  "Does this hurt?" Headshake.

Knock Tooth Three.  "Does this hurt?" Headshake.

Knock Tooth Four -- I'd grabbed his wrist before I even knew I was moving.

"OK, then!  This one."

Sigh.

Anyhow, we got through the consultation with everybody still standing, and no one bloodied.  He filed down some of my upper teeth ("The bottom teeth, I will not touch this time.  I promise.") so they'll fit better with the bottom teeth, and recommended braces.  We made another appointment, for a consultation, in two weeks, and I'm here to tell you right now that I'm not only taking the bear; I'm taking the sedative, too.

The plan for the rest of the afternoon was to see Winter Soldier, but I already used up a week's supply of adrenaline.  I think maybe a nap is in order.

Comments

[reedrover]

Really, I would fire that dentist. Or at least make him reschedule. His non-concern about your mental state is actually cause for concern in my book. You are buying a service; you should get the service you want.

Do they teach this chairside manner in dental school?

[aska-kettlingur.livejournal.com]

My dentist sent me to an endodontist for a 'consultation.' When I arrived, the receptionist told me I was there for a ROOT CANAL !!! That day !!! Not only wasn't I mentally prepared, I wasn't financially prepared for such a procedure. I told her I expected to have a consultation, not a procedure, and the endodontist, after examining my teeth, told me a root canal was not indicated. 'Needles' to say, I fired the referring dentist.

[By the way, Livejournal's spellchecker doesn't have 'endodontist,' but suggested 'indecentest' and 'undetonated.' Not far off the topic, those.]

Pat

[attilathepbnun.livejournal.com]

Oh dear .... That dentist does sound rather, well, casual about definitions, at the least .... *offers nice, non-tooth-pain-provoking, relaxing tea*

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Not any consultation I've ever heard of.

Maybe you should interview a few other regional dentists before you kick this one into next week, all accidentally? I was nearly blinded by someone's casual medical behavior (a dermatologist) and could have kicked his balls into his abdomen. Preventing such incidents is what civilized behavior is all about.

Dentist

[catherine ives (from livejournal.com)]

I also have a Tooth of Doom. And an appointment with one of our two local dentists who I like a lot. So...I have lots of sympathy for you. I don't have a bear like you do. Maybe I should secure one.

[margotinez.livejournal.com]

I, too, have a Tooth of Doom - I shall remember to call it that on my next visit. When it starts acting up, I first check to see if I might have a sinus infection - if so, the inflammation triggers that tooth's nerves. Last time,the second possibility came into play, it was solved with a bite adjustment. Here's hoping your file down works.