Scale & Polish costs: Dentist or hygienist / Q re.anaesthetic

Eastie77

Hello,

I have an appointment at the dentist on Wednesday which I'm dreading (I have a bit of a phobia). I had my teeth examined last week for the first time in a while and the dentist identified that I have a gum disease. She told me I would need two Scale & Polish appointments at a cost of £60 each. The price sounded fine but I felt really uncomfortable being treated by her. Her manner was very off-hand, borderline rude really. She prodded my very sensitive gums with a sharp needle like instrument whilst checking my mouth and when I cried out in pain she said sharply 'Just relax will you!'. I appreciate having a grown adult squeal in pain might be a bit annoying but I was really put off by her brusque manner.

Anyway, when I returned home I did a Google search on the dental practice which is part of a small chain and discovered that while the practice itself is highly recommended several reviewers wrote that the dentist I saw should be avoided at all costs as she is very unprofessional/did a terrible job on their teeth. I called the dentist and asked if I could be reallocated to another practitioner and an hour or so later I was told that I will be seen by the hygienist instead. As a result, the price has now fallen to £50. Are there any particular tasks carried out by dentists which hygienists do not follow which would explain the price difference? I'm also not overjoyed about the fact that I will need a local anaesthetic to numb my gums before the scaling. If anyone has ANY calming techniques or advice to help me cope with the pain and panic I know I'll feel when I see that needle I'd be really grateful.

Thanks & apologies for long post!
E

welshdent

Dentists can do a lot more than the hygienist ..... but thats not to say you require that extra. In most circumstances they are perfectly qualified to meet your needs .... in fact thats largely what they are there for ... to treat gum disease. As for the price difference - I can only assume that its practice policy. The dentists time will probably be more expensive than the hygienist so therefore more expensive maybe?
Giving local anaesthetic can be quite normal. To get a thorough clean its more pleasant for you to be numb.

Regarding the needles in the gum at your check up thats ABSOLUTELY normal. It is the most basic initial assessment we have to facilitate diagnosis of gum disease. I grant you it isnt pleasant ... but it is necessary

Eastie77

Thank you Welshdent. After the scale and polish are my teeth likely to feel sensitive for a while (i.e several days), especially given that I have a gum disease? I've heard Arnica can help with dental pain?

Btw, I do appreciate that the dentist was doing her job when she checked my gum with the needle-like appliance and it's entirely my fault that my gums are in the state they are but I was in absolutely agony and she behaved as if she was annoyed that I was making a noise. It's kind of hard to remain silent when you feel like someone is pushing a hot needle into your mouth:)

welshdent

They are likely to be tender for a little while after, how long it is depends on you. It depends on the extent of your condition, how thorough the cleaning is and how you personally feel discomfort. How you are able to deal with it again depends on you. I get some patients that tell me it was bareable and settled in a day or so. Others the total opposite ... who had less done!
I cant really comment on arnica as homeopathy is not really my field. I would normally recommend normal analgesia.

barjam_2

just a thought eastie77
before they numb with the needle ask if they can put some numbing gel (not sure what they call it) on before they use the needle i personally feel it makes it that little bit easier,

Eastie77

Thanks..I had the first 'scale' today which was fine, not nearly as bad as I feared. The injections were not something I'd like to have every day but the hygienist used a numbing gel which made it bearable. He was also really nice, a very pleasant change from the dentist I saw last time:)

jenhug

Am I quite odd in the fact I enjoy a scale and polish? It probably helps I have good teeth and gums anyway, I just love a visit to the dentist!

jenniewb

The needle like thing she prodded your gums with is actually round edged thing and the reason it hurts can be due to an infection or gum irritation.

If it hurts- say something- its your mouth and its your cash! I say if something hurts me when my dentist checks/fills my teeth and she lets me know whats going on and tries to reduce the pain, they don't know if what they are doing is painful unless you tell them!

Eastie77

@ Jenhug, I don’t think you are odd at all but maybe a bit unusual – I don’t anyone who loves visiting the dentistJ But if you have good teeth and gums your visits are probably pain free which helps!

@jennieweb – I told the dentist I was in pain when she prodded my teeth (completely understand it was due to my infection) she just frowned and then snapped that I needed to relax. The hygienist I saw yesterday was lovely and unsurprisingly my visit yesterday was nowhere as traumatic as the one with the dentist even though I received the injections I’d been dreading. I know all dentists have different personalities but I think it’s a shame that many do not realize that for some people visiting a dental surgery is not an enjoyable experience at all but one met with great trepidation.

brook2jack

Make sure you make your next check up with another dentist , one hopefully you will be more comfortable with.

No one gets on with everyone and it's important to have a good , long-lasting relationship with your dentist. They get a better idea of your longterm health , and it's much less stressful for you if you get on with them.

Good luck you've taken the first step now make sure you're comfortable enough with someone to make it a longterm step , particularly if you have gum problems they need longterm care.