I had a very disappointing experience during what was supposed to be a filling appointment…read more
Before becoming a patient, I disclosed that I have a clinically diagnosed anxiety disorder and significant dental anxiety. This was my third visit with the practice, so this was not new information. My anxiety had also been evident during previous appointments, including dental X-rays.
On the day of my appointment, I followed every instruction given to me and was fully prepared to proceed with treatment. I did not refuse treatment, pull away, become combative, or ask to leave. However, when the dentist began applying the topical anesthetic to my gums, I started crying. That was my anxiety response.
This response was not due to my fear of the procedure itself, but specifically about the injections used to numb the area. Despite my anxiety, I remained seated, cooperative, and willing to continue treatment. At no point did I indicate that I wanted to stop the procedure or leave the appointment.
Within minutes, the dentist stopped the procedure, stated that I "needed sedation," and left the room. While I understand that any provider has the right to determine whether they can safely continue treatment, what followed was extremely confusing and disappointing. The dentist did not explain what type of sedation she was referring to, why treatment could not continue, whether alternative accommodations were available, or whether the treatment plan we had already established was being discontinued. Instead, an assistant returned with a list of other dental offices and told me to contact them.
This was especially confusing because I had already completed multiple visits with this office and we had created a treatment plan for several fillings. At no point was it clearly communicated that I would need to transfer my care elsewhere or that treatment at this office was ending.
When I later attempted to speak directly with the dentist and owner of the practice to better understand what had happened and attempt to explain my reaction, I was dismissed rather than heard. I was told that my reaction was comparable to someone touching my teeth with a toothbrush and me immediately bursting into tears. I found that comparison extremely hurtful, dismissive, and condescending particularly because my anxiety had been disclosed from the beginning and because I had successfully completed other dental procedures with other staff in this office despite being anxious.
I do not expect special treatment because of my anxiety. However, I do expect communication, professionalism, and basic respect. What hurt most was not that the procedure was stopped, but that there was no meaningful effort to understand what I was experiencing, explain the decision that was made, or discuss a path forward. Especially after I have had patience with this office when they have had scheduling conflicts that have caused me to sit anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour after my initial appointment time.
Patients with anxiety do not all respond in the same way. In my case, tears were a response to fear surrounding the injections, not a refusal of treatment. A brief conversation and a little patience could have gone a long way. Unfortunately, that was not my experience.
As a result of this experience, I am now left to find another provider and navigate the transfer of my care on my own. I was not given a formal referral or a clear transition plan. Instead, I was handed a list of three dental offices and told that "one of these should work." No effort was made to determine whether those providers accepted my insurance, whether they could accommodate my needs, or how my existing treatment plan would be continued. After already investing my time, money, and trust into treatment with this office, being left to start over elsewhere has created unnecessary stress and uncertainty.
