I called the office to make an appointment. I explained to the man who answered the phone that I was in some pain due to a toothache. I had seen Dr. Robinson when she was at another practice. He stated that I would be treated as a new patient, which is reasonable since I haven't seen her in a few years and my records are not at her office. I gave him my information and then discussed ASAP times.
Unfortunately, out of the 2 times I was given, one couldn't be done and the other would be tight. I have to use my husband's car (he's 80 and works part time) since my car is in for repairs. ---- Have you ever had one of those weeks?--- I explained the situation and told him I'd have to check. His response - "well if you're in pain I'd think you'd make the time". Couldn't let that go...I explained that if my husband didn't work we wouldn't have the money to pay our dental bills...
I called my husband to confer. He could come in a little late. I called the office back to book the appointment and mentioned my husband was a patient there. The response? "Yes, I see..He WAS a patient, but we dismissed him. We sent him a letter".
"What?" said I. "You dismissed him?"
Evidently, if you don't go there for a while (I have no idea what that period is) they dismiss you like some naughty child. You aren't made inactive, but dismissed! So I asked how long before you're dismissed? His reply? I don't think you'd be a good fit for this office....I was being dismissed...I thanked him and replied that he was right since I don't agree with the policy (and I didn't like his attitude).
2 things: One - my husband was unable to go to the dentist because shortly after his last appointment with Dr. Robinson, he came down with shingles on his head. (No correlation, I think) He is suffering from postherpetic neuralgic pain from the nerves in his head which no medication prescribed so far has been able to stop. Can you imagine someone poking around in your mouth with that head pain? I don't think so.
Two - I always liked Dr. Robinson. She seemed very nice and capable. My husband liked her too. However, there is no way I would go there because of this person's actions/attitude and her dismissal policy. If I got sick and couldn't go to her office and spend money for a period of time, or I got ill at the time I should have made an appointment and missed the window; I'd be dismissed too and looking for a new dentist.
Our daughter's a doctor. She has never dismissed a patient! Sometimes you can't take on new patients or you're very booked and another doctor needs to step in, but dismiss? Really? read more