I had Dr. Yuenkel as my dentist for over a decade and contacted him when I had continual tooth pain 24 x 7 for over a week and wanted to have he and or his staff resolve the pain. In talking with him I was over due to come in for a tooth cleaning by a hygienist and that could have been the reason. I had not had a cavity, any problems for years so put off coming in for a few months for my cleaning. I still had seen him at least 20 times over the years. He said I could come in briefly for him to take a look due to the pain which he did for five minutes and said it could be just the need for a teeth cleaning to resolve it. Since thats the case I stated I would like to get in asap and made it clear I am in pain all the time, affecting work and sleep. He replied there was no way he could get me in for two weeks, with no further explanation such as staff ill, on vacation etc or even that they would call me if they could get me in less than two weeks. A tooth cleaning takes thirty minutes or less and I guess with his staff there is no way they can work that additional time during lunch, after or before work when a patient is in a lot of pain. There wasn't even the mention of I wish we could get you in sooner and I made it clear it was pretty bad, thats why I came in. On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being highest I would give it a 6 which he didn't ask about. So I left with basically put up with the pain for two weeks, your problem not ours. I contacted a different dentist that day and explained the situation and I was surprised after what I went through in calling one dentist that I didnt have to wait even 2 to 3 days compared to weeks. They said for emergencies we always allow some time for our patients and will work over time at the end of the day, early am, lunch etc if a patient is in pain. They were able to do the cleaning during a time frame open during lunch the next day and the pain went away immediately. Of course I switched dentists and even though I saw Dr Yuenkel over 20 times prior including when I wore braces, never received a follow up call on the pain either or even to schedule an appointment or I would have explained why I was not coming back, hoping he could learn why he lost a customer and do a better job with others. So now he can find out through yelp instead and work on a better follow up system since I would have explained why I switched. I definitely made the pain clear and asked if there was any way I could get in sooner and when looking at my teeth in person even stated a simple cleaning could likely eliminate it. There was a total lack of empathy to a patient that is in pain 24 x 7 to make them wait weeks when they even come in person and explain it and then tell them yes a tooth cleaning by a hygienist may resolve it but you have to wait weeks. It seems he only wants to deal with healthy, pain free patients. My self and most people should have an assigned dentist that does more than the regular cleanings at exactly 6 mos, fills cavities, etc. and is really attentive to the needs of their patients, especially when they are in a lot of pain, have emergencies.
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