Dental hygienists! Made to feel like a child!

Witzend it’s all very well saying go somewhere else but here you CANNOT get an NHS dentist at all, people are left in agony and one of my friends goes 80 miles away to see a dentist

I had a different NHS dentist this week (I had an abscess) the dentists keep leaving and I m told I m very lucky to have one at all
I had a lovely gentle Greek dentist who would talk me through everything now he’s left they have given me another who I first put down as plain rude now I think he almost definitely has Asperger’s he doesnt greet me, no good morning, hello or anything, he talks with an accent, but softly and very quickly and talks to the floor, absolutely no eye contact
He said I needed an X-ray Last time I had one years back I stood by a machine, this time he literally shoved a machine in my mouth I gagged, he adjusted it, I gagged again, no explanation of what he was doing or going to do quite roughly too
He sat down with his back to me looking at the computer image, then spoke “to the computer “ about what he saw I didn’t really understand so said could you tell me that another way I don’t really understand he spoke to the ground and said exactly what he said the first time I gave up said Thank you for seeing me got a script for antibiotics and went…. paying my second £25 for same problem (first was two or three weeks ago!!)
I ve got to see him on 21 st and dreading it I asked at reception if I could see someone different and she said they had no one else NHS to offer me

Orchid - Penelope Cruz has veneers

It is the job of the hygienist to teach the patient, how to angle brushes etc so that best results are had. My hygienist has been wonderful, a tweak of teaching here and there and my teeth and gums are better now at 75 than they were at 60. Not to forget that gum disease may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke by three times. My hygienist can be as bossy as she likes, worth her weight in gold and fast becoming a rare species

Hygienists, like any skilled worker, vary so much in ability and personal skills. My current one is fantastic. Diligent, caring and causes almost no pain to my sensitive teeth. Each time I see her, tell her she’s never allowed to leave! Have seen some that were awful.

Chrisks, I’d go elsewhere and write a ‘pithy’ review, assuming that you’re able to. Or else insist on seeing someone else - and say why. You don’t pay a lot of money to be treated like this.

I dare say some people who ought to see a dentist are nervous of going because they’re scared of being roundly ticked off. A dd once temping in a very up market estate agency worked with one such - the woman had appalling bad breath and when she finally plucked up courage to go (or maybe was nagged into it) there was so much plaque to get rid of, many gaps between her teeth that nobody had realised existed, were revealed in all their ‘glory’!

While I was once waiting to see my own dentist, a woman who was clearly very nervous came for her first appt. and told the receptionist that she was petrified - she hadn’t seen a dentist for years.
I hope they were kind to her! My experience there has always been very positive.

I don’t think it’s matter of what you are paying, these people should not be rude and condescending even if it was free. I’ve had a snotty attitude from mine too.

crazyH

Grannyjacq - when I enquired, earlier this year, Denplan was roughly £50 per month, but that would only cover routine dental treatment. I decided against it. I don’t have the best teeth, but my last visit only cost me £56 (re-filling one tooth). I will be seen in 4 months and will cost me roughly the same amount.
I hope that helps. I am in my 70s.

Mine is £18.99 a month,that covers two hygienist visit a year two dental checkups and 10% of any treatment..

An immediate curt riposte would have been my next move, but there again I detest rudeness in any form. Followed by a stern word with the Senior Dentist which would include the reminder that nowadays in light of so many private patients they are likely to take their business elsewhere along with the reason why. I would leave room for the fact that the hygienist may have been undergoing some personal crisis in which case interfacing with patients must be suspended.

I've put up with decades of being told "You don't clean your teeth properly". I'm now 76 and if I hadn't cleaned them properly I wouldn't have any left by now! When I was 60 I was diagnosed with the auto-immune condition Sjogren's syndrome, which means I don't generate enough saliva. This leaves mouth acid free to attack enamel and make gums sore. I probably had this condition all my life and didn't realise it. If anyone starts nagging me now, I tell them to read my notes. And I haven't seen a hygienist since before the lockdowns. It's just a money-grabbing exercise and does no good in the long run.

I had a similar experience of being made to feel stupid next time my dentist mentioned a scrape and polish I told her I didn’t mind if she did it but I did not want to go to that young snot she was fine about it and does it herself now …….result

I've given up going to the hygienist, not because she was unpleasant (though she was, rather) but because of the cost. I don't think it had all that much effect, specially as I do all the flossing etc etc. Even NHS dentistry isn't cheap. Just hoping my remaining teeth last out!
Both ACs have perfect teeth in their 50s, a different era from the 1940s and 1950s.

If we all did exactly what our dentists and doctors told us to do….they’d be out of work . That would’ve been my answer as I marched off the premises for last time!

Denplan rates are set on an individual basis after a dental assessment. My monthly charge is half of what my DH's is. 🙂

Grannyjacq - when I enquired, earlier this year, Denplan was roughly £50 per month, but that would only cover routine dental treatment. I decided against it. I don’t have the best teeth, but my last visit only cost me £56 (re-filling one tooth). I will be seen in 4 months and will cost me roughly the same amount.
I hope that helps. I am in my 70s.

Still on the subject of dentists and hygienists. Lots of gransnetters seem to have to pay for private dental care now. I know that this will vary from practice to practice depending on age, condition of teeth etc. but can anyone tell me approximately how much it would cost per month for someone in early 70s, with teeth to reflect this age, and what you would get for this. Thanks.

Hi,
Sorry to hear about your experience. Can relate: a rude and patronising dental hygienist said to me 'you're never going to have teeth like Penelope Cruz!' (not making that line up). I don't know who these people think they are but going to a dentist is really expensive and they should be a lot more compassionate. Hope you look around and get someone who treats you with respect. All the best.

I would let your dental practice know how upset her words and manner made you and, unless there is another hygienist available, I would definitely change dentists. You are the client and should be treated with respect.

I have never had that sort of treatment from my hygienist.
She is always pleasant and friendly.
The cost is factored into my Denplan payment.
It might be worth changing to that for some,people.

I think you might find all hygienists are “private”. Not part of NHS.

Cheeky bint!
Our Dental Practice has a stern Hygienist who wanted to book me
In for treatment with a new dentist (using her room on the Hygienists day off). I cancelled the appointment and haven’t had any trouble (and had a routine check up giving the all clear).
I’m thinking of going elsewhere as they now book you in for next time and take a deposit !

I wonder if you got our old one. We had one and she was the same and even when she treated you she seemed to forget your mouth was attached to your face she was rude and rough. So many ppl complained about her that dentist had to let her go. My dentist used to book you to see her before him before covid now he sees you first and decides if you need to see hygienist at an different appointment after lockdown he got everyone to see hygienists first but the one we got now is lovely if a hygienist can be. Don’t think anyone likes to see them at best of times lol

I had the same. Luckily they have two hygienists and changed to the other one. Quite a young lady who mostly used a high power water cleaner. So much better. Felt lovely after.

Changing practice may be easier said than done. I have tried several practices nearer my home but none are taking new patients.

Perhaps walk out, tell her/him you won't be coming back as they are rude. Then speak to the practice manager. I had the same kind of treatment from a hygienist. I told her to stop what she was doing and went to speak to the practice manager who couldn't do enough to help me and ensure that I saw a different dentist.