Can my dentist do this? Isn't this discrimination?

LadyDee

MrHeisenberg wrote: »

I think this has been discussed on this thread already (see the first post for example) - I'm a patient with a complex and longstanding problem and they have a duty of care.

I many also come across as a bit grumpy and withdrawn due to my depression and they may take this personally. I could carry on...

Please don't. Six pages is enough. Why don't you commence the action you propose then return to let us know the result?

MrHeisenberg

LadyDee wrote: »

Please don't. Six pages is enough. Why don't you commence the action you propose then return to let us know the result?

I was just answering the question.

MrHeisenberg

eringray wrote: »

I think you should be looking for a new dentist!!

I think one has been assigned to me already, whether I like it or not.

MrHeisenberg

I have to say I am a bit confused as to whether there was any misconduct surrounding the dentist's failure to notify me of her decision to end the relationship. The official guidance states:

"Before you end a professional relationship with a patient, you must be satisfied that your decision is fair and you must be able to justify your decision. You should write to the patient to tell them your decision and your reasons for it. You should take steps to ensure that arrangements are made promptly for the continuing care of the patient."

I think it is fair to say she did not comply with the above?

pmduk

Did you actually discuss going for a second opinion with your dentist beforehand? Obviously, a 2nd opinion is permissible, but I can understand offence being taken if one is taken 'out of the blue' It may go some way toward explaining the situation.

Like others, I can't see why you want to stay with a dentist that doesn't want you as a patient.

LABMAN

MrHeisenberg wrote: »

I have to say I am a bit confused as to whether there was any misconduct surrounding the dentist's failure to notify me of her decision to end the relationship. The official guidance states:

"Before you end a professional relationship with a patient, you must be satisfied that your decision is fair and you must be able to justify your decision. You should write to the patient to tell them your decision and your reasons for it. You should take steps to ensure that arrangements are made promptly for the continuing care of the patient."

I think it is fair to say she did not comply with the above?

• ‘must’ is used where the duty is compulsory;
• ‘should’ is used where the duty would not apply
in all situations

welshdent

where is the official guidance from? because ive never seen it. Seriously. No one has ever presented that to me or any dentists I know in my practice

brook2jack

Welshdent , it!!!8217;s from GDC s latest guidelines https://www.gdc-uk.org/professionals/standards/team page 16

However it is to cover patients who are registered eg Scotland, NI , or on eg private capitation scheme and most particularly patients who are in the middle of a course of treatment.

As we know in England and Wales there is no registration on the NHS and patients have no automatic right to see a particular dentist http://www.itv.com/news/story/2014-08-18/nhs-dental-care-too-hard-to-find/

Lack of Udas , breakdown of relationship etc.

OP appears to have been given an appointment with another dentist and has only ever seen this dentist once.

Since dentistry is predicated on trust it is not in a patients interest to insist on being seen by a dentist who feels the relationship has broken down. Without trust on both sides it is unlikely to give a satisfactory outcome for patient or dentist.

mollycat

Have read whole thread

OP, sorry to hear about your pain.

If your mental health difficulties are severe enough to constitute you being considered disabled, do you have a mental health professional providing you with support?

If not, what one would do would be to work with you on coping strategies to manage and alleviate your depressive symptoms in order to protect your mood.

They would promote helpful activity, (distraction, pleasurable activity, relaxation techniques etc, etc)

They would discourage unhelpful activity, (excess alcohol, random compliance with medication, isolating oneself from others etc).

Im pretty sure they would see involving oneself in a 6 page argument with strangers on the internet where there is almost universal disagreement with your viewpoint as unhelpful.

I would get back to doing the helpful stuff.

ps...If you are finding this helpful, feel free to ignore this post.

MrHeisenberg

pmduk wrote: »

Did you actually discuss going for a second opinion with your dentist beforehand? Obviously, a 2nd opinion is permissible, but I can understand offence being taken if one is taken 'out of the blue' It may go some way toward explaining the situation.

Like others, I can't see why you want to stay with a dentist that doesn't want you as a patient.

No, I didn't mention it. She did offer to refer me to a consultant which is akin to a 2nd opinion I suppose, as she conceded, that different people have different approaches and see things differently. The same is clearly true for dentists.

Yes, it may go some way in explaining things but I wish she would have provided me with the courtesy, if nothing else, of explaining her position to me. I know under GMC guidance ending the relationship is really a last resort.

Yeah, I am bit confused by the whole thing I have to say, not helped by the fact that I have been kept in the dark, which may be deliberate.