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

vacheron

If I had a client who came to me with a problem which other respected professionals in the field had been unable to solve (and which they may actually have had no chance of being able to solve as the issue may be fully or partially psychological in nature), that would immediately set alarm bells ringing.

If it turned out after one meeting they had already started seeking second opinions and sending me advice based on the second opinion's suggestions, that would set off louder alarms.

If I was then to discover they had been involved in previous litigation and started to play a discrimination card with the objective of obtaining a pre-determined amount of compensation for "hurt feelings" while stating the money is not important, then you wouldn't see me for dust!



Based on your past experiences it suggests that this new dentist will be unable to solve your problem based on the failure of those who you have tried before. You have also clearly displayed your lack of confidence to them by immediately seeking second opinions.

I think that the dentist could clearly see a minuscule chance of being able to help your condition through dental procedures and a huge possibility of you ending up dissatisfied.
The dentist therefore decided not to continue with you as a patient as it is in both your best interests and theirs.

p.s. If you "don't care about the money - it is mainly a point of principle" as you stated, why not simply ask for an apology (a word you haven't mentioned once in this entire thread) rather than demanding thousands of pounds in cold hard cash?

Mr_Gruntfuttock

MrHeisenberg wrote: »

My facial pain and associated depression amounts to a disability, so it seems I have been treated unfavourably/less favourably by reason of this.

Haven't read the whole thread but I must concur that generally dentists have very little compassion or understanding when it comes to mental health issues, IME

MrHeisenberg

brook2jack wrote: »

You can go to a private dentist at any time for any treatment you want.

However analysis of x Rays is not an exact science and two dentists looking at the same x Rays May have two different opinions.

They are only of use in conjunction with other tests and clinical findings.

It is a moot point as to whether digital is better than film x Rays. In terms of quality nothing beats a well developed wet film, however there are so many variables in getting a wet film processed well a digital x Ray gives a more reliable result as the parameters can be tweaked on the software.

OP has had multiple investigations over many years , including in December CT investigations and cone CT. I believe that he has had a diagnosis a few years ago that he disagreed with and no investigations since by multiple consultants and dentists have pinpointed any other cause.

It can be frustrating because in many types of medicine answers can not always be forthcoming. Particularly in facial pain where patients often insist on procedures such as tooth extractions which make no difference to the pain or make things worse.

It is very difficult for the patient but also the professional who is under pressure to do something but faces the sword of litigation if they do the wrong thing. Facial pain is very complex and in cases like this when consultants have discharged people the avenues someone can go down become very limited.

That's exactly why I proposed my dentist was overzealous in her covert attempt to fob me off. However, people on this forum are very quick to lay all the blame at my door. What can I say...

MrHeisenberg

worried jim, it looks like you struggle to be polite, helpful and able to follow simple forum rules too.

MrHeisenberg

Toothsmith wrote: »

You've started 3 threads - all of them about your (v. Complex) dental pain - that may or may not be dental in origin.

You have consulted with many specialists, and private and NHS dentists. You've also had some pretty good advice on here.

It is highly likely your chronic pain has no solution. I cannot say that for sure - but if all the people you have seen haven't been able to help - then that is probably the reality.You may well have to just manage it - for which help is available.

I think it highly unlikely that a random NHS dentist is going to 'cure' you. I think it highly unlikely that implants will 'cure' you, and it is possible that such a treatment might well make things worse.

It is highly possible that your mouth is not even the problem. You didn't really answer me when I asked if any of the specialists you'd seen had been TMJ/occlusion specialists, as from your other threads, that seems to me to be the only avenue not extensively explored. But good occlusion specialists are not common, and none of them will be working on the NHS..

Railing against 'the system' is not going to do your stress levels any good - and that could easily make your problems worse too!!. You are not being discriminated against, and winding up local dentists will just come back to bite you if you ever have a proper 'dental' emergency and need real proper basic dental treatment.

So - don't be bothering a poor coal-face NHS dentist with your highly complex problems. You speak of seeing 'world renown' experts in previous threads - why are you not following up with them?

Thanks for the input.

I appreciate that the prognosis looks poor but that is the reason I was discussing triggers with the dentist in question - to manage the condition as best I can.

It is also not the case that dentists are infallible, or any clinician for that matter. I have had dentists make many mistakes in the past, some very serious in terms of missed dental infections.

I've tried a mouth/bite guard but that hasn't helped.

I've been discharged from all clinics - something that I had no say in.

MrHeisenberg

Mr_Gruntfuttock wrote: »

Haven't read the whole thread but I must concur that generally dentists have very little compassion or understanding when it comes to mental health issues, IME

Yeah, I think that can be said for humanity in general, as demonstrated on this very thread.

BorisThomson

MrHeisenberg wrote: »

worried jim, it looks like you struggle to be polite, helpful and able to follow simple forum rules too.

Pot calling kettle black?

It's clear to any bystander why a clinician would make the choice not to treat you, your attitude is atrocious. You are rude to anyone that disagrees with you, and I strongly suspect that applies to the clinicians who have tried to help you also.

In future - if there is anyone left that you have not alienated - treat people with respect and they will do the same to you.

(And as someone with mental health difficulties, it is never an excuse for a bad attitude.)

MrHeisenberg

vacheron wrote: »

If I had a client who came to me with a problem which other respected professionals in the field had been unable to solve (and which they may actually have had no chance of being able to solve as the issue may be fully or partially psychological in nature), that would immediately set alarm bells ringing.

If it turned out after one meeting they had already started seeking second opinions and sending me advice based on the second opinion's suggestions, that would set off louder alarms.

If I was then to discover they had been involved in previous litigation and started to play a discrimination card with the objective of obtaining a pre-determined amount of compensation for "hurt feelings" while stating the money is not important, then you wouldn't see me for dust!

Based on your past experiences it suggests that this new dentist will be unable to solve your problem based on the failure of those who you have tried before. You have also clearly displayed your lack of confidence to them by immediately seeking second opinions.

I think that the dentist could clearly see a minuscule chance of being able to help your condition through dental procedures and a huge possibility of you ending up dissatisfied.
The dentist therefore decided not to continue with you as a patient as it is in both your best interests and theirs.

p.s. If you "don't care about the money - it is mainly a point of principle" as you stated, why not simply ask for an apology (a word you haven't mentioned once in this entire thread) rather than demanding thousands of pounds in cold hard cash?

Here we go again... Just can't win it seems. So you going to accuse me of conjuring up some calculated plan to spring a discrimination claim on my dentist too?

Seemingly you are also positing that it is right that the dentist fobbed me off because my problem has been longstanding and complex?

You do realise people are entitled to 2nd opinions? In this case, the NHS dentist didn't even afford me an opinion on the suspicious teeth as she didn't even take an x-ray.

MrHeisenberg

BorisThomson wrote: »

Pot calling kettle black?

It's clear to any bystander why a clinician would make the choice not to treat you, your attitude is atrocious. You are rude to anyone that disagrees with you, and I strongly suspect that applies to the clinicians who have tried to help you also.

In future - if there is anyone left that you have not alienated - treat people with respect and they will do the same to you.

(And as someone with mental health difficulties, it is never an excuse for a bad attitude.)

Yes, presumably you are going to skip over the fact that I've had to report various posts which have been posted with the intention of being hugely offensive, and have been subsequently deleted by forum staff? How many posts of mine have been deleted?

MrHeisenberg

Lioness_Twinkletoes wrote: »

Yeah, I'm with the dentist. I did chuckle at the Barrister at County Court. That and that "I've had success with litigation" were my high points of the thread.

Yet another disparaging remark.