After reading all the positive reviews on Google and Yelp, I am still wondering if I went to the…read moresame dentist as everyone else.
I go to the dentist every 6 months but recently moved to Seattle from the east coast. The first dentist I went to made sure to max out what he could from my dental insurance (e.g., bitewings, panoramic x-rays, fluoride, the works!) and told me that I needed about 8 fillings, 2 crowns (one of the crowns was because he said I needed a retreatment of my old root canal) and a $400 nightguard: wow. This isn't the first time that this has happened to me, so I knew to get a second opinion: Dr. Waind.
My name is Sofia and when the hygienist called me, she did her best to pronounce my name "Soph... so-pha... so-pha-yee?" The hygienist is American and well over 30... but no problem, my name may just be difficult for some.
Dr. Waind tried to use this new technology to take photos of my teeth and it took him about 3 minutes for each tooth (the first dentist I went to had the same tech and it took him about 10 seconds for each tooth).
He eventually told me I needed 7 fillings, 1 crown and NO nightguard needed, so a slightly better prognosis. I decided to get four of my fillings done since my insurance was about to reset in April (my dental insurance only covers $1500 per insurance cycle, so I wanted to use my allotment for that year before it renewed again in April).
Dr. Waind gave me shots on the upper left, lower left, and upper right of my mouth (he was redoing some of my very old fillings). My last dentist in DC also re-did two of my old fillings but he didn't have to numb my mouth... but okay, he knows what's best.
Dr. Waind's procedure was the most uncomfortable procedure I have ever had. His assistant, Shawn, piped water into my throat directly instead of on the tooth/the sides of my mouth. I sat up and almost threw up the first time she did it, I was gagging so badly. I did my best not to gag during the procedure, but it happened again a second time where I sat up and started gagging again. When I told her that the water kept going down my throat, rather than being apologetic, she was offended and said that she was doing her best.
Throughout the procedure, big drops of fluids dropped on my face and forehead several times, but were not wiped away or were just not noticed: I felt disgusted the whole time because I could not wipe them away. I have also never had this happen in all the times I've had dental procedures.
When I finished the procedure, the front desk tried to take my photograph. Since they already scanned a colored copy of my driver's license, I didn't see the need for them to have a photo of my face and said no. The front desk was clearly not happy with this and said they needed the photo to verify my identity. I told them they could use my photo ID that they scanned and she finally said she would let the doctor know.
Fast forward to 1.5 months later (today) and I went to a third dentist to get the rest of the work done since I only did half of it. I went to a reputable dentist office way outside of South Lake Union and guess what: I don't need to do the other 3 fillings or the crown.
It is sad to see so many dentists that see patients as $$$ rather than as people, which is why trust with dentists have eroded over the years. My advice: be skeptical if a dentist tells you that you need so much work, especially if you go to the dentist regularly!
