Met with Dr. Rebellato for a consultation. I felt profiled. Perhaps there were certain assumptions made about me because I have some of my hair dyed green?
We spent half of the appointment discussing my medications prescribed by my GP due to a chronic back issue that led to surgery. I explained I had a prolapsed disc. He asked me how it happened. He told me I was being given heavy medications. Being that he is not my GP and does not know the extent of my medical history I thought this was really not his place to say. But he was nice enough and soft spoke so I explained that none of the medication is daily use- only when needed. He then asked why I was prescribed Lyrica and whether it was just after my surgery or current which I explained was for the sciatica nerve pain. I told him after my surgery I experienced recurrent nerve pain and was give a new lyrica prescription and was sent to a specialist to get a steroid injection in my spine to help with inflammation at which point they found in the rxays why I was still having irritation on my sciatic nerve. I also explained I had since stopped taking that prescription as my pain resolved since changing to a less physically demanding job. He then asked if they had to do surgery on my entire spine or just one part. This is when I realized what a stupid question this was as each vertebrae in your spine has one disc between them and the sciatic nerve runs from the lower back down to your toes and WHY am I discussing in such great detail my back issues with a dentist who is clearly so far out of his depth he thought you'd cut open an entire spine to work on one disc and clearly does not know what a herniated disc is, what a sciatic nerve is or where it is located. I couldn't understand why I was justifying the care plan provided to me by my Specialist Physical Therapist and my GP.
This line of questioning was never tied into any thing having to do with my potential treatment plan for my tooth nor if my medications would have any impact on treatment.
He also made a remark about my OPG and other previous dental work. I mentioned that I have had a lot of dental work in the past and he asked me in what country it was done??? I have an accent so, I guess he was making more assumptions about me.
We were not there to talk about who did my other dental work or where. The consult was about one tooth that may be in need of endo treatment. *I'll note he did NOT ask who or where the filling on this particular tooth in question was carried out so I really don't see the importance.*
When you go to see a medical professional you want just that- professionalism. You also want to be as transparent as possible with your medical history so that they are well informed so they can do their best to assess you and help you. In retrospect I don't think Dr Rebellato had the right the ask me any of the above information and it was an overreach of his position as a health care practitioner to ask the kinds of things he did that were not relevant to my consult or even my teeth.
I'm obviously not shy talking about my medical history but I think as a medical professional you know that people feel obligated to answer your questions so if those questions are not completely necessary or connected to the reason of your visit then you have the responsibility to ask permission before you question your patient on unrelated matters. read more
