Cranky patients...geesh

[Thelma Lou]

Poor Gilmour has been listening to me vent for three weeks about the AMAZINGLY cranky patients I've had for the past three weeks. Today was the first day I didn't want drop kick a patient out of the operatory. I realize that people are terrified of the dentist but MUST they tell us every 5 seconds they hate us? THAT'S NOT THE WAY TO GET ON OUR GOOD SIDE PEOPLE!!!
And what's with biting me?! And why do they lie about flossing?? I mean...HELLOOOOOOO...I'm picking last night's dinner out of their teeth and they insist they floss 6 times a day?! AUUUUUUUUUUGH...

Thelma Lou
"My wrists are sore, I've got a migraine, and if one more person spits on my shoes I'm going postal"

p.s. Thank You for letting me vent..I feel much better.

 

[Strelnikov]

Did you ask them, "Is it safe?"

Strelnikov

 

[GuitarPeteTklr]

Would You Believe?

Thelma Lou, I ALWAYS appreciate a dental hygienist who knows what what they are doing, when roaming My naturally sensitive mouth with the "tools of the trade."😀

The reason I felt so compelled to post is that TickledToDeath, jen, and I know a female ticklee who used to like to "joke" about having a "dental appointment" when it was her turn to submit to a tickle at Hyenas Club Gatherings. Your reference to your occupation sort of rekindled My memories of her "quips."

Anyhow, I hope you can find as much humor in this reference as all of us did! 😕

*GuitarPeteTklr shreds his way back into tickling oblivion*

 

[Thelma Lou]

ummm..

Did you ask them, "Is it safe?"

Strelnikov

I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Do you mean do I ask them if it's safe to come in the room or work on their mouth?🙂

 

[Thelma Lou]

Re: Would You Believe?

Thelma Lou, I ALWAYS appreciate a dental hygienist who knows what what they are doing, when roaming My naturally sensitive mouth with the "tools of the trade."😀

We like being appreciated. As for tickling scenarios in the dental chair...I've been trying for a couple years to get Gilmour to sit in the chair for a quick tickle!

 

[Ayla ny]

hi Thelma Lou. remember the dentist Steve Martin portrayed in Little Shop of Horrors? well, the one Strelnikov is referring to (from Marathon Man) makes him look like Mr. Rogers! lol

when it gets to you... take it out on Gilmour. what’s the worst that could happen? revenge? 😉

 

[Haltickling]

Maybe he's afraid that you couldn't resist to go for his mouth as well... 😛

 

[tcrewme]

Re: Would You Believe?

Thelma Lou, I ALWAYS appreciate a dental hygienist who knows what what they are doing, when roaming My naturally sensitive mouth with the "tools of the trade."😀

The reason I felt so compelled to post is that TickledToDeath, jen, and I know a female ticklee who used to like to "joke" about having a "dental appointment" when it was her turn to submit to a tickle at Hyenas Club Gatherings. Your reference to your occupation sort of rekindled My memories of her "quips."

Yeah Pete, she must have had really bad cavities around me... 😀 😀

 

[GuitarPeteTklr]

Re: Re: Would You Believe?

Yeah Pete, she must have had really bad cavities around me... 😀 😀

tcrewme, that was more like Oralmaxilofacial Surgery, as I recall the procedure the both of us performed on her!

She reluctantly admitted she enjoyed it though!😀

*GuitarPeteTklr flashes back to Hyenas II and III, and the memories of tickling the "ever sensitive" jaime's (aka popperwannabe's) soles along with tcrewme*

 

[Strelnikov]

Ayla picked up on the "Marathon Man" reference. Ancient Nazi (Laurence Olivier), a dentist by original training, interrogating the hero (Dustin Hoffman) as to whether his stolen getaway money is safe. He asks the question while giving a root canal with a Craftsman 3/8 inch drive reversing electric drill. It would have made a great Sears commercial. Don't Try This At Home.

Strelnikov

 

[Dave2112]

Speaking as someone who's had more problems with his teeth than he cares to discuss, I am glad that I've found a dentist who's really good. She's over the border in Canada, the exchange rate is great, and I rarely feel anything other than minor discomfort. Dental technology is growing, so people shouldn't be afraid.

Thelma Lou, you've stumbled onto the phenomenon of "I'm your only patient"...a condition common amongst all health-care professionals. Every person you treat who is afraid or nervous needs you to understand that, as they're looking for reassurance, and they invariably think that they're the only ones with this problem that you've seen that day.

Such is the joy of serving people.😎

 

[njjen3953]

I have to say that I keep out of the dental chair as often as I possibly can. It really has nothing to do with pain. I cannot tolerate my teeth being cleaned and I can't find a dentist who will numb me for it. My gums are more sensative than my ears. The one place where ticklishness is totally unbearble and I have had dentists show me the door for fear my screams would empty their waiting rooms. 🙁

Do you have any suggestions? I know routine dental care is imperative.

Jen

 

[Thelma Lou]

Thelma Lou, you've stumbled onto the phenomenon of "I'm your only patient"...a condition common amongst all health-care professionals. Every person you treat who is afraid or nervous needs you to understand that, as they're looking for reassurance, and they invariably think that they're the only ones with this problem that you've seen that day.

After nine years in dentistry I understand this phenomenon. True anxiety (tears, sweating passing out, etc) is actually easy to handle. It's the ones who because they KNOW they don't take care of their teeth and they get defensive about it who are nasty individuals to deal with. On a daily basis it is nothing for at least five patients to say to us..."Nothing personal I really hate you"

Patients need to understand that I know what hurts, whats uncomfortable and what tastes bad. Being over the top nasty about it and to me will not change anything.

 

[qjakal]

Long Island...

Hmmm..listen Thelma, it was nothing personal I swear...but get that thing away from me....aaaaieee!!!! Actually, I've had quite a bit of work done by several different dentists out here across the course of 30+ years...perhaps I've supplied your practice with a Mercedes? I have fairly nice teeth now, but it's a constant battle...bad genetics. 😉 Hi from another Long Islander... Q

 

[Thelma Lou]

I have to say that I keep out of the dental chair as often as I possibly can. It really has nothing to do with pain. I cannot tolerate my teeth being cleaned and I can't find a dentist who will numb me for it. My gums are more sensative than my ears. The one place where ticklishness is totally unbearble and I have had dentists show me the door for fear my screams would empty their waiting rooms. 🙁

Do you have any suggestions? I know routine dental care is imperative.

Jen

Hi Jen. This is actually fairly common. Have you asked the hygienist to apply a topical anesthetic? It's the "numbing jelly" we put on before an injection is given. Also there is a product out called "Dentipatches"...basically a lidocaine patch. I've had hit and miss results with this. I've had a lot of patients that say the topical anesthetic really helps, but it has to be top-of-the-line not the cheap stuff.

If you want to be actually injected with lidocaine (patents know this as novacaine--something dentists haven't used n over 25 years because it causes allergic reactions) you may find your dentist reluctant simply because they're thinking about the time that has to be scheduled. We do it for our patients because we don't want them avoiding the dentist. Call around or get referrals from friends and co-workers. I do not know any dentists in the up-state but if you'd like I could always ask around.

Any others questions feel free to e-mail me a [email protected] I love to talk dentistry and Gilmour's eyes always glaze over when I start talking about periodontal disease lol 🙂

Take Care,
Thelma Lou

 

[TickledToDeath]

Re: ummm..

I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Do you mean do I ask them if it's safe to come in the room or work on their mouth?🙂

Thelma, I take it you had not seen or did not recall at the moment the movie.."Marathon Man" with Dustin Hoffman?

That is where the line..."Is it Safe"? stemmed from.

TTD

 

[Thelma Lou]

Re: Re: ummm..

Thelma, I take it you had not seen or did not recall at the moment the movie.."Marathon Man" with Dustin Hoffman?

That is where the line..."Is it Safe"? stemmed from.

TTD

Nope, never saw it. I've heard of it. Not a big Dustin Hoffman fan either. He has ugly teeth. 🙂

 

[Thelma Lou]

Re: Long Island...

...perhaps I've supplied your practice with a Mercedes?
Hi from another Long Islander... Q

That was you?! Thanks! But I want to upgrade the SUV..aren't you due for a check-up? 🙂

 

[njjen3953]

Thanks, Thelma Lou. I will definitely look into the jelly. It might be just enough to slightly numb the area.

Jen

 

[JoBelle]

Am I the only person who doesn't mind the dentist? 😉 I swear I've been waiting my whole life for this moment! I'm 30 *shiver* and have never even had a cavity! *knock on wood* And I do floss everyday! LOL

Now, there was that time I cracked a tooth in half when I sneezed and clamped my tooth onto my, then steel, tongue ring! *ARGHHHH* Acrylic since, thanks. They can do some wonderful things with that porcelain overlay stuff! Looks like a real tooth!

Joby

 

[Thelma Lou]

ooooh a dream patient! 🙂

Am I the only person who doesn't mind the dentist? 😉 I swear I've been waiting my whole life for this moment! I'm 30 *shiver* and have never even had a cavity! *knock on wood* And I do floss everyday! LOL

Now, there was that time I cracked a tooth in half when I sneezed and clamped my tooth onto my, then steel, tongue ring! *ARGHHHH* Acrylic since, thanks. They can do some wonderful things with that porcelain overlay stuff! Looks like a real tooth!

Joby

WOW...you floss EVERYDAY?! Don't tease me! I think only about 10% of my patients actually floss. One guy uses the floss samples we give him to tie fishing flies. <sigh>

btw...had a patient come in with this neat clear plastic thingie in her tongue so her piercing wouldn't close up. We ask them to take the bars/rings out during appointments.

~Thelma Lou
"Boss of Floss" 🙂

 

[Strelnikov]

My dentist claims that eating lots of corn on the cob is a great way to ensure dental health. Forces you to floss...

Strelnikov