SecondAttempt
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
This might be more of a rant than a question. But I am wondering what others would do.
First some background. I had regular dental care growing up then did not see a dentist at all for about 20 years after leaving home for college in spite of having dental insurance for much of that period. Never had an pain or noticeable (to me) issues.
Then I went to a dentist in the very early 2000s, not because I thought I had an issue but because my wife did. It was one of those chains. I turned out to have a couple of issues they thought needing addressing. Who was I to second guess? After 20 years I was not surprised. I got a couple of fillings and 2 crowns, one was horribly botched and I ended up losing the tooth a few years later, not from decay but because xrays from a later dentist showed the crown was botched.
That experience turned me off on dentists and I did not see another until about 7 years later. I had such a bad toothache one morning I could not function. I had insurance but had not bothered to select a dentist. I called my insurance and they said I had to wait a few days after selecting a dentist. I was in bad shape and begged to see someone as an emergency. They sent me to a dentist with a tiny practice, seemingly old equipment, a degree from Cuba.
I was in no shape to be picky. He took me in immediately, said he was quite busy that morning but would take care of me. He put me in a chair, shot me up with Novocaine and my world changed. I was in that chair for over 6 hours before he got to me. He checked in occasionally and numbed me again but did not work on me until the afternoon. He ended up doing an emergency root canal and a crown. I saw him for several more years but did not have a lot of major work done. Then he moved his practice about 100 miles away and I like him enough to consider sticking with him but ultimately found a new dentist and had regular care until I moved to Hawaii. I liked this guy as well.
When I got here I went without care for about 4-5 years until I had visible decay in a visible tooth and went to my partner's dentist. That led to an implant but no other major work. A couple of fillings and one crown replacement because it was cracked after 20 years. I like this dentist as well.
But, here is the dilemma. He sold the practice to a cosmetic dentist. I have had a couple of cleanings but only one annual exam with the dentist. She is a perky young blonde. Now, I don't have any problem with perky, young, or blonde. But I just did not like her.
After having dentists I liked and trusted for 15 years am I wrong in considering finding someone new based on first impressions? The thing is I like my hygenist in the office. I will probably give the new girl a couple of years but I'm just wondering what others would do.
First some background. I had regular dental care growing up then did not see a dentist at all for about 20 years after leaving home for college in spite of having dental insurance for much of that period. Never had an pain or noticeable (to me) issues.
Then I went to a dentist in the very early 2000s, not because I thought I had an issue but because my wife did. It was one of those chains. I turned out to have a couple of issues they thought needing addressing. Who was I to second guess? After 20 years I was not surprised. I got a couple of fillings and 2 crowns, one was horribly botched and I ended up losing the tooth a few years later, not from decay but because xrays from a later dentist showed the crown was botched.
That experience turned me off on dentists and I did not see another until about 7 years later. I had such a bad toothache one morning I could not function. I had insurance but had not bothered to select a dentist. I called my insurance and they said I had to wait a few days after selecting a dentist. I was in bad shape and begged to see someone as an emergency. They sent me to a dentist with a tiny practice, seemingly old equipment, a degree from Cuba.
I was in no shape to be picky. He took me in immediately, said he was quite busy that morning but would take care of me. He put me in a chair, shot me up with Novocaine and my world changed. I was in that chair for over 6 hours before he got to me. He checked in occasionally and numbed me again but did not work on me until the afternoon. He ended up doing an emergency root canal and a crown. I saw him for several more years but did not have a lot of major work done. Then he moved his practice about 100 miles away and I like him enough to consider sticking with him but ultimately found a new dentist and had regular care until I moved to Hawaii. I liked this guy as well.
When I got here I went without care for about 4-5 years until I had visible decay in a visible tooth and went to my partner's dentist. That led to an implant but no other major work. A couple of fillings and one crown replacement because it was cracked after 20 years. I like this dentist as well.
But, here is the dilemma. He sold the practice to a cosmetic dentist. I have had a couple of cleanings but only one annual exam with the dentist. She is a perky young blonde. Now, I don't have any problem with perky, young, or blonde. But I just did not like her.
After having dentists I liked and trusted for 15 years am I wrong in considering finding someone new based on first impressions? The thing is I like my hygenist in the office. I will probably give the new girl a couple of years but I'm just wondering what others would do.
I barely knew my way around town, much less what dentist would be good. 
