Not everyone loves the dentist. In fact, you might have quite a few reasons for avoiding your necessary checkup. “9 things we wish you wouldn’t do at the dentist” listed some of the pet peeves we clinicians have when it comes to caring for you. Following that, it seems only fair to put myself in your shoes. So after polling my neighbors, patients, and random strangers, here are the things patients like you find annoying about their dental appointments.
When we ask questions with our hands in your mouth
This was by far the number one beef. And yes, we need to own up to this. After more than 20 years of clinical practice, I hope I’ve improved at this one. However well-versed I am in dental garble, it’s awkward and uncomfortable—I don’t like it when it happens to me! My advice? Instead of trying to gargle out an answer, just wait. Your clinician will get the hint.
When we run late
Running behind is the worst. It’s stressful for you, and for us too—I can probably speak for all clinicians and say we hate it as much as you do. Please let us know if you have a hard stop and need to leave by a specific time. That might mean leaving some things out of your appointment or just rescheduling, so you get the best care possible. If your office is chronically late, try to get the first appointment of the day or one right after lunch.
Being lectured about brushing and flossing
This is something widely discussed among dental professionals. And again, I’ll own up to it. For a long time, we pretended like brushing and flossing were silver bullets and would instantly restore your oral health. While I’m not saying they aren’t important, brushing and flossing aren’t the only things you can or should be doing. If you aren’t a flosser or are still struggling with oral health, ask your clinician to think outside the brush and floss lecture. There are great oral health aids on the market that you can implement into your day. I’m a huge fan of plastic picks with little bristles to clean between my teeth. It takes way less coordination than flossing and is easy to do on the go.
Confusion about what insurance covers
This one hurts my soul. We need to rename dental insurance the “dental discount club.” Dental insurance is simply not designed to cover all the interventions you might need. They are a for-profit business and, truthfully, aren’t always looking out for your best interests. If your provider is recommending treatment that isn’t covered or is only covered a little bit, don’t refuse it outright. Talk to your dental team about why they’re recommending a specific treatment. It might save you time, health, and money in the long run to go with the recommended treatment, or perhaps they can phase your treatment to make it more within reach.
Overexplaining (or underexplaining)
This one is a toughie. Every patient wants something a little different. Some people want a quiet dental visit, and others consider their hygienist almost like a therapist. When we explain treatment options, some patients want all the gory details, while others just want us to tell them what to do. Understanding what you want out of your visit is the first step. Then you need to communicate that to your provider. If they just won’t shut up, let them know you get it, or if you need more communication, ask questions.
Making your gums bleed
Let’s get this out here first: healthy gums don’t bleed. I know we enter your mouth with pokey instruments, but let me assure you, I have healthy patients who go through an entire hygiene appointment without any bleeding. The reason gums bleed is because of inflammation. That inflammation might be all the way at the bottom of the space between your tooth and your gums—you know that spot where popcorn shells like to hide? When you smile, things look healthy, but when we poke, they bleed. So let’s work together to figure out what we can do to get to the root of the problem so that eventually, when you come in, they won’t bleed.
Appointments taking forever to schedule
Since we live on three- to six-month appointments, we tend to be booked three to six months out. I know, it’s a pain! My best advice is to make your appointment way ahead of time and try to stick to it. If something comes up, ask to be on the short call list, and hopefully your office will call you when there’s a change in the schedule.
The smell of the office
AHHH! There’s nothing like the smell of disinfectant. OK, it’s not going to be the next perfume to hit the market, but it is the smell you want in an office. Infection control (IC) takes time and money, and I encourage you to ask your office questions about their IC protocols.
Hopefully, all these pet peeves aren’t so annoying that you’re ducking out of your dental visits. Your relationship with your dental team should be one of mutual respect and care. Talk to your office about what bugs you. Some of the things, we might be able to change. Others you might have to put up with. The important thing to remember is oral health is whole body health, and you are worth a healthy life.
