I would not recommend this place nor Dr. Carlson.
My daughter was scheduled for surgery a week out so the Orthodontist and Dr. Carlson could chat about the course they would take. Either install a bracket or just expose the eye teeth on the roof of her mouth.
The day before surgery, the Orthodontist let me know that the oral surgeon was just going to expose the teeth, on top of the 6 extractions they were to do in preparation for braces. This same day, the Yukon Maxillo-Facial Surgery called and confirmed the surgery and then stated they would be installing a bracket on the exposed eye teeth as well as the 6 extractions. I informed them that this was not what the Orthodontist has discussed with me minutes before hand and requested they call and clarify what they were suppose to do. She acted annoyed with me but followed through.
I received a follow-up phone call with the clarified information and we arrived early for the appointment the next morning.
My daughter went back as scheduled, the surgeon even placed the IV for my daughter as she was nervous. He had great bedside manner - but apparently lacks proper protocol as we discovered four days later.
We went as a family to see the new Jurassic Park movie when my daughter informed me that she had a loose tooth. She was not suppose to have any baby teeth left - per the 6 extractions during surgery - and so I told her not to touch it as it was likely a permanent tooth, and that we would look when we got home.
When I looked in her mouth, imagine my surprise when I discovered that only FIVE teeth had been extracted. I let her know it was a baby tooth and she felt better, but knowing that I had paid for 6 extractions including the 2 exposures left a sour taste in my mouth.
I called the office the following day, Monday, and asked the gal what procedure was to be done on Thursday (after the fact). She confirmed 6 extractions and 2 exposures. I asked what the surgeons notes were regarding the surgery. She confirmed the same information. I then informed her that there were only 5 extractions done. She assured me that 6 were done, but she could schedule a follow-up appointment for us the next morning and then surgeon would then show me the extraction spots.
While I have more medical and dental experience than most, it's not difficult for the average Joe to see where teeth used to be.
We arrived at the follow-up appointment early, and were quickly ushered into a room - my feelings were to prevent my discussing the mishap with any other clients.
While we waited in the room, I took photos in case he were to pull the tooth in question to prevent any issues arising and we waited. And waited, almost 15 minutes.
Dr. Carlson finally came in the room, with proper bedside manner. He asked how we were doing, and then told me that he remembered my daughter and would show me where the teeth had come from.
I smiled and said okay and joined him beside my daughter. And he began to count. 1, 2, 3 - he moved to the other side - 4, 5........ummmm.... and he kinda pushed a bit on her baby tooth, realizing it was loose and also that he had only counted to 5.
He then said, "ummm, we can take care of that". I proceeded to tell him that "we would take care of it. I, will take care of it."
He said okay, said his staff would be in to take care of it, hung his head and walked out, never looking at my face after that.
Where is the protocol that should have been in place to prevent this from happening? How often has this happened? I understand the no apology as doctors are taught never to admit guilt - which apologies do. However, I had a feeling that I would have to follow-up to be sure that my insurance company was notified, I was given a refund for the tooth forgotten, etc.
In which case, I was right. I had to file a insurance fraud claim after receiving a bill in the mail for the procedure, which was paid in full at time of service. It was afterwards that I was finally sent a refund. My insurance company is still waiting for their refund for the tooth they did not extract.
And all of this would likely have been caught if one of two things had been done - 1. we received all the baby teeth from the extraction as we requested; only received two of the six, and 2. protocol was done correctly in the surgery room checking and double checking that each specific tooth was extracted as well as exposures being done.
Overall, while his bedside manner and knowledge were great, his lack of protocol during surgery and the manner in which it was handled afterwards left a lot to be desired.
It's unfortunate, but the medical and dental experience that I have had in the last year here in Oklahoma has been a disaster at best. I wish for everyone to understand that the standard here in this state is below what anyone should settle for. Having lived in multiple states, I will seek doctors who understand the difference and hold a higher standard for their practices. read more