How do I tell my dentist?

I have Kaiser dental insurance.
For a checkup I phone and make an appointment.
The next person I talk to is where I check in for the appointment.
The next person is the dental hygenist (teeth cleaning).
The last person is the dentist.

Where along this path do I let it be known about having HCV?
Worried about being shunned.

[spcecst2]

r u related to Jessica623??

[charm27]

I told my dentist and periodontist. It didnt seem to phase them. It was my responsibility to tell them.
Tell them to write it on your records .

Dont worry about being shunnned if it happens then you certainly dont want any of them in your life anyway.

Your not guilty you have an illness.

Good Luck at the dentist
I hate the dentist.   :}  

[dmhrdh]

When you fill out your health history.

[scratchinghead]

nope

[Andiamo1]

I went to have some oral surgery and told the dentist.  His assistant refused to help and he fired her on the spot.  I felt he did the right thing but I was very uncomfortable.

I still think we all have to tell heath care workers who might be exposed to blood.

That was 10 years ago and I have not had a problem since then.

[spcecst2]

If you feel that we need to tell health care workers who might be exposed to our blood, do you also believe that health care workers should have to tell us what their medical condition is?

[MrsOckert]

You do bring up a valid question.....it certainly got me to thinking.

[spcecst2]

I'm not saying there are not reasons for telling your doctor/dentist in case of drug interaction, low wbc etc... problems, but if there is a system in place for preventing transfer of blood from patient to doctor, tools to patient etc... then we should have no problem not telling, NOW, if there is no truly effective system in place then we should all have our cards on the table, and what about patients who don't know they have something!

[spcecst2]

I hate to stereotype people (no I don't) but last time I was at the dentist sitting in the waiting room someone came out who looked like a straight up junkie, I thought great I've gone thru all this treatment and then I'm going to be worked on after this guy! I know they have rules, but one day while waiting in the chair I saw a dentist across the way walk into the office and take a drink out of a coke with glove on and go back to working on the patient next door, then a few minutes later come in and with glove off this time take a hit off the same coke can, did he go into another room and see another patient, shake their hand, touch some equipment, spread some blood or mersa, some of the girls who take my blood look like they've done some wild partying (I love party girls) but some wear gloves and some rip the fingers out, do they have something I should know about!!

[dmhrdh]

You need to change dentists and report this one to the Department of Professional Regulations.

[FlGuy]

Gloves or no gloves?
http://www.courttv.com/news/2007/1101/mark_anderson_ctv.html

Hope you're doing ok.  You must be in week number 'endless' by now.

[FullOfHope77]

Eric, you make a good point as it goes both ways; if I'm risky to others then by definition they are risky to me via the same mechanism...

[dmhrdh]

How often when they are working on you is a doctor or dentist bleeding????  On the other hand, how often do you think a doctor or dentist is exposted to an infected patients blood?

[spcecst2]

I feel like Bill Murray in GroundHog day!!

[scratchinghead]

Thank you for all these replies.

[alagirl]

The problem with thinking the way you do is that I have hepatitis C and I have never used IV drugs.  And I suppose I would like to flatter myself that if you saw me at your dentists office it would never occur to you that I might be hepatitis C positive.  But for all practical purposes, I am just as much of a risk to you and other patients as the man you describe as having the appearance of a junkie.  We have to remember though, that junkies are not the only people with hepc.  

For at least a few weeks after my exposure I did not know that I was positive for hepatitis C.  During that time, I went to my various physicians' offices.  I received botox injections and other services without knowing about my status, so of course, I couldn't warn anyone.  Physicians and dentists have to be diligent in their universal precautions with ALL patients.  You CANNOT tell from how someone looks or even by their habits whether or not they have hepatitis C.  Someone may have received this virus from a nail salon or dirty instruments in a medical procedure or a transfusion before 1992, or from using their college roomie's toothbrush..

In terms of discrimination I did have one doctor drop me and I KNOW it was hepc related.  It was my neurologist - the one who does the botox injections.  However, aside from her, I have been dealt with very compassinately by my medical professionals, but I think much of that has largely to do with how I was infected and the fact that I am so sick right now on treatment.  They just plain feel bad for me.  But you know, all but that one stupid doc have been great and have not shied away from me at all and I have been diligent about telling them so that they will not be at additional risk.  

In fact, some of them have begun to talk to me.  Hey, its the south!  I found out this week that my phlebotomist at my hep doc's office had a grand mal seizure earlier this year.  I have some experience with that situation vis a vis my former work AND some friends who've gone through it.  It is a very stigmatizing situation as well, even though adults who have one seizure may never have another.  Still, there are both social and legal and work implications from it.  Like hepc, one must sometimes keep it secret to avoid that stigma.  She was relieved to talk about it with someone and we both agreed to keep each other and our respective families in our prayers.  Her husband had just had back surgery prior to the seizure and they have two small children, so they had made the difficult decision to move in with his mother.  She said her mother-in-law had been very gracious, but her story reminded me so muvh of what many here have had to do in order to get thriough this long treatment, and of just how many chronic and critical illnesses affect people's lives in such profound ways.  So sometimes the person on the other side has their own difficult story.  

And as to the question of when to tell a practioner about your hepc status, I generally do it when they are taking my history, or when filling out the paperwork if it expressly asks for that.  If the paperwork doesn't ask, then I let them know when they are taking the oral history.  You know, at the same time I tell them I have mitral valve prolapse and I need an antibiotic prior to dental work, I let them know about the hepc.  I just say, I need to make you aware that, blah blah blah, yadda yadda yadda.

[alagirl]

And IF any dentist shuns you when you tell them about your status they are NOT worthy of you and your time and you money.  You are hiring and paying for their service.  Absolutely under no circumstances should you put up with being treated badly when there are so many other dentists out there.  Why would you want an ignorant dentist working on you anyway?  You are so muvh better than that! :)

[scratchinghead]

I drive 40 minutes out of the way because this dentist is known for being really good with the novacaine needle (real slow, numbing in front as it goes). I found out about her from a hiking friend that works for Kaiser. I have a major phobia for that all too graphic sqeeking sound as the needle pokes through the muscle and holds you pinned on a sharp spike inches from your brain.

I just pray she won't drop me. And, after all these good replies.  . . . . . .I COULD CARE LESS NOW!!! DENTISTS ARE LIKE BUSES, I'LL JUST GET ON A DIFFERENT ONE BWHAHAHAHAHA

[spcecst2]

You missed my point!!

[l-horn]

On my health history HCV exposure/infection was one of the questions my dentist asked. This was a new dentist to me and was right before I started tx and a crown had fallen off. I told him I was about to start treatment. Neither he nor his assistant batted an eye. In fact, they were both very encouraging and positive about treatment and said something to the effect of, 'You'll be fine. The drugs to treat HCV are a lot better than they used to be." ( The assistant new someone who had been through the tx ),  then told me my crown wasn't going to hold and I needed an implant and he would start the procedure if OK'd by my GI doc, who said 'no', it's not okay, ( implant process takes several months )  so I spent the entire term of my treatment missing an upper front tooth. In fact, I still am. GI doc said to wait 90 days post tx before starting the implant process.

So, the moral of the story is, all of your health care providors need to be aware of your situation.  

[jmjm530]

My dentist and periodontist also didn't bat an eye, or at least if they did, it was out of my sight. In fact, they were so nonchalant, that I wondered if they understood what HCV was, but of course, they do. Don't they. LOL.  The main reason I told them was because I was concerned that treatment might do a number on my teeth and gums and therefore wanted to discuss/alert them of the situation. Fortunately, my teeth were fine on treatment -- had them cleaned every 3 months and also had some minor dental work done. I was also told not to do an implant during tx because inteferon could temporarily soften the bone density.

-- Jim

[GrandmaA]

I told both my dentists. I recently changed dentists and they have a sticker on my chart "hepatitis C" and I think it's fine. Everyone treats me well. I have a friend who GOT hepatitis C from her dentist years ago (and so did her brother who is now waiting for a transplant). They had no other risk factors.

[tedinoregon]

It really shouldn't matter to healthcare professionals whether you are HCV positive or have HIV.  They should treat all blood as if it is infected.  Afterall, there are alot of people out there that don't know what blood-borne diseases/pathogens they have.

[dmhrdh]

GrandmaA,
It may be fine with you that they have a Hepatitis C sticker on your chart but they can get into legal trouble for that!!!!  The only sticker that can legally be on the outside of a dental chart is "See Health History".  HIPPA if for no other reason!!
Just curious...how do your friend and her brother know they GOT hepatitis C from their DDS?

[Harry Potter]

I found out about two weeks after my last dental visit; I notified him with a letter that I enclosed in the billing envelope.  For my next visit, when he went over my treatment plan (for the teeth), I saw in the document "HCV+" or "Hep C+" but he didn't say anything to me directly.  I'm sure most dentists, if they have more than 50 patients, they would have at least one w/Hep C (statistically speaking!)

I also notified my laser hair nurse, b/c she would shave me a bit prior to the laser procedure, and she thanked me very kindly for telling her.  She told me about all the people she knew (in the healthcare profession) who were Hep C+ & fine.  She also brought up milk thistle, homeopathic stuff, because she's kind of hippie-NewAge-ish (I'm not making fun, I really appreciated her knowledge).  She kept telling me, "You'll be fine, you'll be fine, think of how early you've caught it!"  Because I told her I had caught it within, I believe, a few months.  She asked how I think I got it, I told her I think sexually.  Without even saying anything, she said she knows it's not possible to get it from oral sex...so I told her that's how I *think* I got it, as that's the farthest I've "gone," so to speak.

But anyway, in short, most healthcare professionals shouldn't be fazed by hearing the news...and if they are, they're probably not the right person to be going to anyway!

[adamswife]

I am really saddened by the remark of the woman that was afraid to enter the dentists chair after she thought a man was a junkie. BOOOOOOOO too you. that is so rude.
Then what about the ones of us that never use drugs, don't drink and have been married for 31 years to the same partner, that is negative from HepC? The ones of us that are afraid that we will be all grouped together because we have such a disgusting disease?
My doctor told me that there is a high percentage of us that will never know where we came into contact with it.
You do not have to tell your dentist, doctor or anyone that you are a carrier. The RIGHT thing to do, is to let them know. More than likely, they will not even bat an eye over it. They are already suppose to be protecting themselves. I do tell people. Not that it makes me proud that I have it, but I do not wish this on anyone. I would not want someone unknowingly to get t from me.
I have walked out of getting blood tests 2 times in the past 10 years because some little, young cutey didn't want to take the time to glove up.
When I see someone that looks used by the world and appears to have taken a beating~~~~~~~my heart goes out to them and yes, I too wonder if they might be a carrier and going through the hell that we have.
If someone saw me, they would not know that I have HepC.
Just because someone looks beat up and gross from the world getting the best of them, does not mean that they are infected.
~~~~~~~~~Ramona~~~~~~~~~~~

[Forseegood]

was completely cool with it, he's the kindest guy, but he's uses gloves, precautions with every patient. My docs, for the most part, have all been nice about it too, and very professional. So have my family, friends, etc...I feel sorry for anybody that is discriminated against by a narrow minded person. For a disease that they certainly didn't ask for, who wants any disease?

I remember reading a person who said when she told her neighbor,  the woman followed her around with a disinfectant bottle, spraying and wiping anything she touched. She felt so bad about the experience, said she came from a small town. Small town or not, that's one neighbor that I would just avoid. Who needs these people? Thankfully, there are plenty of people out there who are kind and open-minded. Who read books now and then.

[ladywhy]

I finally got to a dentist for a cleaning...first time there. My ins. covers. She took x-rays....then after an hour of being there...she told me I needed to come back for a scaling. No cleaning was done whatsoever. I still thought she should have gotten the the superficial cleaning done. I started to think...humm..is it 'cause of disclosing hepc? A month later...got a bill from her office for $350.00!!!!!!  Will not return there...but will get my x-rays....and will not be paying $350.00.

[ladywhy]

Ehh...it's cause you always dress up for your appts...that's why they treat you so well! I try...but lately it's been getting more difficult. I'm gonna go find a male dentist...and he has to be good lookin' too! That's my new criteria.

[Forseegood]

my criterion is that he doesn't have hairy hands...:) and nice breath is always a bonus! you know what I hate? is that light that goes right over you while your lying in that chair...you can see your reflection in the glass...and it's not a pretty sight, at least not for me....my mouth is all distorted and full of these implements , with these bits of matter flying every which way....and it makes my nose get distorted...who wants to have to have to look at all that Monster Mash while that stuff is being done to you?:)

I think it's sooooo important to find a good dentist that you're comfortable with...before I had literally thousands of dollars worth of work done (I mean every tooth in my mouth was worked on, I HAD lousy teeth - I now have more porcelain in my mouth then a 30 piece China set)

I had to go through about 3 or 4 till I found the right one...my real criteria is that their outer and inner office be immaculate...to me it tells you a bunch in terms of their fastidiousness as far as their work, etc...this one I went to had dirty scuff marks on their machines and dust bunnies in the corner, I was outta there fast...

also, their bedside manner, are they okay about giving you breaks if youre doing long procedures? Do they seem really nice and patient? Some of these people have tempers, and the last thing you want is some gruff dentist raising his voice at you cause you need a break during a really long root canal, been there done that...

that's another thing, how deft are they? Do they take all day to do one procedure? Taking too many breaks themselves and overbooking patients, walking in and out of there while youre a captive prisoner? A very bad thing, cause then you have a much bigger chance of your numbing meds wearing off and they have to keep shooting you up with that stuff, not a good thing....Or do they go too fast for your own good?...Look at model examples of the lab work they use, if you can...to see that the lab they work with know what they are doing too, they have to be good sculptors if youre having crowns, caps, etc done...I could write a book on this stuff with all my experience on this...

[ladywhy]

You should write a book....period!

:)...meant in a good way!

Sweet smelling breath,.no hairy hands or back!...no mirrors...dust bunnies...scuff marks...
just added to my new criteria!

Thanks

[ladywhy]

Wonder how he will respond when I ask him to remove his shirt...?

[Lady Lauri]

Many really good points here. I think the bottom line was as said above....ALL medical personel should treat ALL blood as possibly infected. NOT doing that is why many have Hep, HIV now. They should worry far more about the ones that don't know, don't get tested and MANY of them out there.

Question tho....'thought' we were supposed to not do dental procedures on tx.? (other than maybe cleaning, routine.)

  Ladywhy......heh, heh, heh :}...naughty, naughty!

                                                                                            LL

[ladywhy]

My hep dr. told me to inform dentist if I had low platelets. Even to go as far as bringing my latest CBC with me. Normal platelets, no problem.

Keep on smiling, Lady.

ps. Don't know if you noticed, and I hesitate to bring it up... and I will do so with trepidation... I've been using your version of smiley faces.
Never saw 'em before and found they fit my mood much better sometimes.
I hope you don't feel the need for a *knock down*drag out* over this?  ;}
......copying, the best form of flattery......  
You sound like you're doing better since lowering dose...if that's the case, I'm glad.

There a time under the sun for all things....even being a lil cheeky!

[ladywhy]

I a rambler today..............

Bottom line though....there is no way i would have extensive dental procedures done while txing. This is far and above the amt. of torture i'm willing to deal with at any given time. I 'aint no maschocist.

[meki]

I tell everyone - I am not afraid of my disease - or the lack of information out there - I educate - and if someone treats me badly - or has a problem with it - LMAO - I usually set them straight on it.

Be upfront and honest.

All health care workers should treat everyone as if they have Ebola - Aids - HIV - HCV HEPb - HepA... etc.

[ladywhy]

Ebola. Isn't that goin' a bit extreme? Ok..time to suit up anf get out the ole h2o tank!

[susan400]

I hate going to the dentist, but I go in anyways.  I have always told my dentists about the Hep C and my current dentist knows about it.  They always seem very nice there and concerned about my 'lack of being able to clear it', even.  Of course, the hygienist would like to see me come in for extra cleanings if I could afford it...(but the dental insurance won't pay for any cleanings other than the twice a year, or every 6 mon.).   I don't have a problem with any cavities or root canals, or anything major, just a small amount of recession happening.  They always say that I do a great job on my home care.  Anyhow, when I used to use substances, I never looked the part of a druggy.  I always looked respectable, so, so much for that theory.  In fact, I was working in a hospital dietary department, when I was using on the outside and wearing a uniform, so, I definitely didn't come to work looking like a junkie.  I agree that medical professionals need to assume that every patient could be carrying some sort of communicable pathogen and should use universal precautions.

Susan

[scratchinghead]

God, I love this forum!

(even the 50 pound replies)

[merryBe]

well if you hear of a good one let me know. mY guy is retired now...and so gotta find a friendly. maybe they'll know at the clinic? my jaw has throbbed the last 3 days so something is messing with me.

[Lady Lauri]

Yup....knock down drag out!!   All mine :}    :{    "}   "}  ;}
MINE< MINE<MINE!!!

  Could we wait till after tx for this knock down , drag out........I'd loose right now :}


......copying, the best form of flattery......

Absolutly........ we got personality :} Can't just WRITE what we're saying, have to show the mood, the expression......H*ll, can't use the cuss words!

P.S. Yes, feeling better & up a bit more and really seems to have made a difference. OR....my body has adjusted to these lovely drugs and changes!

                                                     :}       LL

[Lady Lauri]

  "up a bit more" , not meaning ready for that knock down, drag out :}

Meaning, can get up and go to bathroom, walk into kitchen, make a smoothie, walk outside, say "lovely day", pet the dogs, scratch the cats, MAYBE even get the mail.....and than back to bed, LOL!

                                                                       LL

[cajunldy]

Never Ever judge a book by its cover.  My best girlfriend's husband has this beard that goes down to the middle of his chest and is groomed every day.  His hair is in the middle of his back as well. His hair soft as a baby's behind.  He grooms better than most women I know.  To look at him you would think he is the biggest drug addict there in the world, but furthest from the truth.  This guy has, never even so much as smoked a joint in his life.  He seldom goes out to clubs, now and again out to drink a few beers.

So don't judge a person by just a look at them.  I watched people do this to him for yearssssss and it is not fair.  He is one of the most descent, loving, compasionate people I know, married my girlfriend and raised her THREE children as his own and they wanted for nothing.  He has also, and still is raising the first grandchild as his own.  These children are his kids and you will not tell him different. Not many out there like him. So the next time you see someone, step back before you judge. You just might be pleasantly surprised about that person.

Just my tid bit on the subject.

Cajun

[nygirl7]

I just came straight out and told him while lying about how i got it - I had just found out and was still scared of people finding out and thinking bad things...oh the stigma we can have huh?  Now I just say it straight out and if they want to talk about it it's a great way to educate the masses one at a time.

Of course.......I've known about it for years now and I am SVR.  It's easy to be more nervous when you are a newly diagnosed person. But you do have to tell.  i'm sure you won't be the first. It's none of their business how you contracted it or anything so if you do get very uncomfortable - just lie about the how (of coruse I don't know how you got it but I got it thru drugs).

Good luck.

[scratchinghead]

Dr. Sue at the Salmon Creek Kaiser (WA). That is who I like and who I will have to tell. don't know when I am going to go to the Dentist. Probably after my meeting with Flora/Skinner and biopsy results, yada yada.