This is pretty long, but I have a lot to say.
I've been to Dr Le twice now. First time, my blood pressure was not in check, so I couldn't get the service done. Second time was a few days ago. Blood pressure is in check, however that day I took it a little late, my fault. I went for a general check up, and they took Xrays, blood pressure, and then I waited for Dr. Le. He viewed my BP and said it was too high to do anything major. I said fine, but then he lectured me a bit about high blood pressure, I said I understood, and it's managed and that Im on the right med dosage etc, I just took the pill about an hour and a half prior, vs the full 2 hours. He kept harping on it even though I agreed to no deep service that day.
He took a look in my mouth and said 2 fillings needed to be cleaned out and redone, totally fine. He again said he couldn't do it because of my BP, I said that's fine, as I've said already many times, I'll just come back. He said he could do a deep cleaning. Before the deep cleaning, he inspected my 2 fillings a bit more and said it doesn't appear too deep so he could do it without numbing me. I was baffled. I have never been to a dentist who didn't numb when it came to fillings...that just sounds like a world of pain.
Before we started on the deep cleaning, he mentioned that I grind my teeth. I said I do, and always have at night when I'm asleep. He starts laughing as well as his assistant, and asked me why i don't have a night guard. I said I used to, but I can't afford it out of pocket right now. He laughed again, checked a hand written sheet and confirmed my ins doesn't cover it. He lectured me on why I need a night guard (I know this already, I said I've dealt with this my whole life but I can't afford it right now). He kept guilting me, and laughing at me for not having one despite me repeating why. He claimed he'd give me a discount, and paused as if I'd agree right away. But again, I don't have the money for it right now. He kept saying I have to take my dental health seriously (as if i don't), and grinding is bad for your teeth, and how I need a night guard and can buy it from him etc etc.
I'm already in deep medical debt due to an unforeseen, permanent disability and all the care that comes with it. (not that I should have to explain why I can't afford it right now...)
Again he spent a good couple minutes just lecturing me and laughing with his assistant. I felt laughed at, unheard, belittled, and unseen.
Finally we get to the deep cleaning, and it HURT. BAD. He tried to say I don't brush well, but if that was the case, I'd have new cavities and more dental issues, instead of 2 persistent fillings needing to be redone. He tried the deep cleaning again, and I just dealt with it. He kept pausing to say he's being gentle, and my teeth are "too sensitive." He kept giggling at this while I'm in obvious pain. Any other dentist I've been to would've numbed me up a bit, whether its with the needle, or the numbing ointment if they seen i was in that much pain. It felt like DR. Le just did not care. My gums bled quite a bit and I just laid there and let him finish while he kept talking about my teeth being sensitive.
At the end, he essentially told me to go elsewhere by suggesting a new place, saying he'd write a referral. He mentioned the Dugoni School of Dentistry. I told him I used to go there, and he cut me off and laughed and said "Why did you stop?!" I said they didn't take my new ins at the time. He said "since they're not professionals, just students, they can do cleanings by hand, but when they become professionals like ME, they will use this machine" (the deep cleaning metal tool). I said "okay" just to get out of there. He kept saying they would be a better fit as they're students and not professional Doctors/dentists. It's not that i needed someone "less qualified," I needed a CARING and understanding dentist. Who absolutely should've suggested numbing ointment.
On my way out, he again lectured me on how I need to make an appointment "ASAP" and not wait around for my dental care, not neglect it, and "take my time." with it. (Which was never the case. Just because I can't buy a night guard outright, doesn't mean I'm fully neglecting my dental health.) Again he kept lecturing, and fear mongering about how my teeth. I stayed relatively quiet and just said I don't drag my feet about dentists and I will 100% make an appointment. Perhaps I should've spoken up, and walked right out, sure, but I just froze up through it all and stayed polite. My mistake there.
Overall, I need to see a dentist with more compassion when their patient is in pain, and not one who refuses to numb you, or help you, and just proceeds to laugh at you. read more