Unfair treatment at children’s dentist

Dolly1

Wed, Jul 15 2020, 8:44 pm

I had an appointment with my 4 year old ds at the dentist today. Our appointment was scheduled for 3:30. Luck had it that my son tripped downstairs and it delayed our arrival by a few minutes. I arrived at 3:32. The girls by the desk asked me if I’m here for an emergency or a scheduled appointment. I told them I had an appointment. They couldn’t find my name. They finally found my name but with a wrong first name. They kept arguing that I gave them the wrong name. I told them there must hv been a misunderstanding but why would I make an appointment using a wrong name? They finally decided to update it in the system and take my info again.
I sat down for a few min and then a nurse came to call us in. My son saw her dressed up in all the Covid gear and he freaked out. But I managed to take him in. As we reached the room she turns around and tells me sharply “you are late!” At first I didn’t understand what she wanted from me so I said “excuse me? Why am I late? I had an appointment for 3:30?!” She says “yes! 3:30! And now it’s 3:40!! You are late” I was so horrified! I told her “I was here at 3:32, yes 2 min late cuz my ds hurt himself downstairs! But I didn’t arrive 3:40!! I was sitting in the waiting room and waiting to to be called in! The reason why my name came up late in her system was cuz the girl at the desk had to put all the info in again cuz of a misunderstanding! Why is that my fault?!”
My ds who wasn’t terrified enough started panicking from the tension. It was a nightmare and she just about mumbled an apology!
And this is a highly recommended Child friendly dentist!!
Sorry for the long post!
I had to vent!

-Sunnygirl

Wed, Jul 15 2020, 9:19 pm

Uch thats so frustrating!! Feel so bad for you and your son!
I hate when these offices get annoyed when you're 2 minutes late and then make you wait for forever!! ridiculous. she mustve been having a bad day. I guess all the covid gear is super annoying and hot and could lead to tension... hope next time is better for you!

gibberish

Wed, Jul 15 2020, 11:21 pm

-Sunnygirl wrote:

Exactly this. I have heard from a dentist that many, many children are frightened by all the PPE that the dentist is wearing. It is also very hot and uncomfortable to be wearing that stuff all day, so they are more likely to be on edge.

ShishKabob

Thu, Jul 16 2020, 12:31 am

So sorry that you had this stomached dropping experience. I hope that next time it'll be way better.
In light of this, my pediatrician told me that she can't handle the ppe either so she makes the visits real quick and runs out of the room so that she can breathe. This is the sad reality now. Hugs op, it was probably not you, it was the ppe.