On 09/29/23, I had an appointment with Dr. Kanter for the removal of my four wisdom teeth. I am,…read moresuffice it to say, disappointed with the outcome, and was made to feel objectified while under his care. While I understand that medical procedures can sometimes be unpredictable, my experience left me with several concerns.
During my appointment, Dr. Kanter, allegedly, encountered difficulty in finding a vein for the administration of anesthesia. He poked me several times in each arm, 4-5 in total, without success. I have a fear of needles, and was very lightheaded, near fainting, after these attempts. Dr. Kanter then asked if he could remove my wisdom teeth using only local anesthetic. I said yes, and received 4 painful novocaine shots to my lower jaw only.
When he began, I could feel what he was doing. I made noise, and was visibly crying, but couldn't speak due to the numbing of my lower jaw. Due to the pain and trauma of the experience, Dr. Kanter only removed one of my wisdom teeth during the appointment.
Throughout the appointment, Dr. Kanter and his assistants commented not only on my weight, but also on the scarring I have on my arms. They spoke about me as if I were not sitting right in front of them, and I could not say anything, as my mouth was numb.
Afterwards, I was prescribed a day's worth of painkillers. The numbing began to wear off very quickly, and I was in extreme pain. Two hours later, my pharmacy had yet to receive the prescription. My mother called, and Dr. Kanter's office informed her that they were not at fault, and nothing could be done. Shortly after she called, the order arrived at my pharmacy, which I found to be somewhat suspect.
I was hoping for a smoother experience, considering the nature of the procedure and the discomfort associated with wisdom teeth. Communication during the appointment was abysmal, and I wasn't prepared for the change in plans.
I believe that it's important for medical professionals to be well-prepared for a range of scenarios, and while I understand that complications can arise, I was left with trauma from this experience.
I strongly encourage others to exercise caution with Dr. Kanter and make their own judgments.