I really don't know what to say to this dentist who keeps on going away.

[AuntieE]

The reply was get a new dentist.  I already paid him $12000 for the dentures alone.  He  just gave me a new upper and lower denture.  The bottom is complicated - it has to fit over 6 implants.  The top is crooked again. I was in Friday. He won't be back till 7/6 and is going away on July 11th for a week.  The bottom seems good but not the top.  He won't even be around to make adjustments.  However, considering the last temporary denture was very crooked -every adjustment made it even worse and I think that's why I developed Oral Herpes.  How long is it considered even reasonable to expect someone to live without teeth.  Is it even ethical for a prothodontist to go away without ever leaving someone on call - He told me to drink 2 cans of Ensure a day because I've lost so much weight and have no strength.  I can't go "shopping" for a new dentist. Am I being unreasonable if I tell him the top should be redone again  - and in the meanwhile, what do I do? I know I have a problem mouth - caused by errors made by a periodontist 17 years ago -when I went to get upper implants - and ended up where he pulled out all my teeth and put in bottom implants.The implants are still good, but no dentist seems able to fit me with dentures.  I have no life because I can't leave the house. Please tell me  what I can expect from this dentist and whatI should expect him to do?

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

I am sorry for your problems but I can't teach your dentist to communicate with you and not go on vacation without leaving someone to cover his practice. I think it is unprofessional to leave you in the state that you are in but I think my first advice is still the best that I can offer you.

[Kalio1]

I'd call the Detal Board in your state File a complaint. He is vacationig and you are stuck in hiding due to his inability to do his job. That is shameful. He has every right to leave town as often as he pleases but he should not leave his patients hanging with no one taking his plae while he is gone. Sounds like you paid quite a bit for him to do work that is OT satisfatory. The American Dental Association might be a good place to call also.

[texas2step]

I am in the same boat....My prostodontist felt it necessary to crown five of the upper front teeth so they would look pretty. The temporaries on these five whittled down teeth he  put on three times now have all fallen off within 48 hours.  Now, he is gone and for how long I do not know. No one answers his emergency calls.   I was to go to a wedding tommorow and cannot go.  I was suppose to go to a christening on Sunday but notlooking like I do . ....I feel there are some very good DDS that do not have to be prostodontist that can do the job well and be there for you, when necessary.  I am really bent out of shape too.  I feel your pain and frustration.

[robdent]

the thing about dentures and dds' is that patients dont understand that if they would have took better care of the teeth God gave them, they would not have this on-going problem with their dentures! Im sorry, but the whinning has to stop. I understand that you paid alot of $$ for your new teeth, (next time, make the next set in Texas-- WAY cheaper!) but, believe it or not the dds' don't sit around waiting for denture cases. They are in the business to save teeth, and even a prosth. has to go on vacation sometimes. Your timing was just off. And, one last thing, they are NOT real teeth, so they are never going to feel like, look like, work like real teeth. Sorry

[Kate Smythe]

Well, Robdent, who put the burr under your saddle?!  I take from your criticism that you feel that because one didn't exercise optimal dental hygiene earlier in life, they deserve to have problems with a DDS.



As for a dentist who collects a fee for specific services, in this csse a rather very substantial fee, there is an implied expectation of a minimum level of quality, both with the appliance and the timely delivery & any and all adjustments necessary to bring the appliance to acceptable working order. In this case, quality, well-fitting dentures which operate properly.  



As far as reporting to the state dental board, or other like societies, expect no satisfaction.  In Washington state, for example, the local paper ran a story about two dental-related deaths caused by two different dentists.  The state society was slow to address the many complaints logged against these dentists, and then if was only AFTER the paper ran the story.  Even then, the dentists in question were given something like TWO YEARS to take additional classes in specific treatments.  Their licenses continued to remain inforce so they continued to practice.



Still, if necessary, log a complaint with the appropriate board,and with the local BBB.  At least it will be on record.



There are some great dentists practicing with excellent skills, who take pride in their work, and truly care about their patients.  Unfortunately, we don't always find them the first (or second, or third...) time out.  It can be a very painful experience both in the wallet and in the mouth!