Deciding whether a dentist is "good" or "bad" often goes beyond technical skill--it can be a matter…read moreof ethics, too.
I'm 81 years old, living with poor health, and I made sure to inform Dr Crocker about my challenges, including Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), which makes it hard for me to follow directions or conversations. My health conditions include multiple sclerosis (MS), chronic back pain, and heart failure, all of which make everyday situations more challenging.
Unfortunately, my appointment turned into a nightmare. Due to my health issues, I asked to remain seated in a chair until the dentist arrived. After receiving a numbing shot, I waited over an hour for him to see me. As my pain levels steadily increased, I noticed he seemed upset and even blamed me for his running behind schedule. Despite my confusion, I told him I was willing to wait as long as necessary.
At some point, I asked a fair question: if he was so behind schedule, why spend so much time blaming me when I had already agreed to wait? That's when he revealed his real concern: I learned later he was going to be late picking up his daughter. I explained that I was already numb and preferred to proceed with the treatment, but this only seemed to frustrate him more. He abruptly stormed out of the room, declaring the appointment over and instructing me to leave.
Feeling confused and hurt, I asked a nurse to help mediate. I said we weren't understanding each other, and surely, as adults, we could work it out. Still, the dentist refused to return. I remained calm, never raised my voice or acted disrespectfully; I only asked for clarification about why he had decided to stop the treatment when it had already begun. His response was to have the police escort me out.
The stress of the situation, combined with my heart condition, ultimately landed me in the ER. I prayed for him to reconsider and find a compromise, but instead, he blamed me for making him late to pick up his daughter. I reminded him that this was his issue, not mine. He had the power to dismiss me as a patient, but his actions became an ethical dilemma. I noticed that he continued treating other, healthier patients without issue and only forced me to leave--an 81-year-old with significant health challenges.
To me, his motives weren't pure. He used his authority to bully a vulnerable patient instead of treating the situation with compassion and professionalism. I was willing to compromise, but he insisted I couldn't make him treat me. He was right about that--I couldn't force him to do anything. But I left without understanding what I had done wrong.
This was an ethical failure. A dentist who chooses to work with elderly patients or individuals with disabilities has a responsibility to treat them with dignity and care. My time and health were of no concern to him. His priority was elsewhere, and his dismissal of me felt less about scheduling and more about the power he held. While I could have simply walked away, I believe he must be held accountable for his actions.
He got flustered when I continued to tell him I didn't understand and I would wait the extra time . What a terrible situation for all including his staff who had more compassion than he did.
