I went to Oasis Dental in Ridgefield today (September 30, 2026) for a checkup and cleaning. After the exam I was told I needed deep scaling.
I explained to the hygienist that I am a redhead and that local anesthetic often does not work well for me. That has been true since childhood. If extra time is not built in and numbness is not confirmed, scaling is extremely painful, which is why I have a long-standing aversion to dental care. I used a blunt, sarcastic comment about preferring to lose my teeth rather than go through that again. I was not refusing treatment. I was asking to be fully numb before they started.
The hygienist left to discuss "options" and came back with a form stating I was refusing care and should find another dentist. There was no conversation about extra anesthetic, a longer wait, or the sedation this office advertises.
I called manager Marlise Montgomery after I got home. I told her I was looking for reassurance that I would be numbed properly, not a new dentist. She said I was not a good fit, told me that as a healthcare provider I should know better than to delay treatment for periodontal disease, and suggested sleep dentistry. She offered to call back after she looked into it. The conversation had already made the outcome clear, so I declined. I was not interested in hearing the same message three times.
The manager was correct: I work in healthcare. That does not exempt me from pain or anxiety. It does not mean a patient who asks to be numb is refusing care, and I should not have been shamed for my experiences. I was willing to stay and complete the treatment if I felt heard. Instead the visit ended with a dismissal form. This could have been resolved by a hygienist with an ounce of kindness or grace.
That is a shame, because my previous hygienist -- who is on maternity leave -- was aware of my sensitivities and was always careful, took her time, and made me feel appropriately cared for. Most importantly, I trusted her and appreciated her. If she had been there today, I believe the outcome would have been different. Up until today I liked Oasis Dental and intended to stay with them. read more