Was this a repuke dentist?

[Digit]

Started to make an appt with a dentist I had seen quite some time ago. He could not believe I had not seen a dentist in such a long time and I was having some current difficulties. I explained that I had been unemployed and his sarcastic reply was that "it was a matter of priorities" to see a dentist.
Hmmm, let me see....a dentist comes after:
Shelter (my house in NOT expensive by any means)
Food (sale items a priority, thankyewverymuch)
My blood pressure prescription
Utilities
Insurance

It would come before:
Cable (which I don't have)
Fast Food (which I can't afford)
Buying clothing (can't even afford Goodwill)
Going out to dinner (which is out of the question)
Vacation (what is a vacation????)

This cavalier attitude made me sick. I have spent hundreds of dollars on courses just TRYING to get a frigging job and this dolt says it is a matter of priorities like I can just forgo a shopping trip at Nordstroms or something. How nice for him that he got a tax cut.
I am thinking of finding a dentist instead who is a dem. I plan on asking each receptionist if the dentist they work for are pro Kerry or Bush.

[EstimatedProphet]

1. Typical of dentists

They always say similar things. I have bad teeth from years of grad school, and it's just now that I am getting to the point that I can take care of things. Seen three dentists in the last year, and all of them have had that same attitude, like I should have given up rent to have my teeth cleaned.

[amerikat]

2. be kind....dentistry is a tough job.......highest suicide rate of any

professional

[aquaman]

3. Sure it is a tough job.....

but doesn't excuse the Doc being a dick. I would find a new dentist.

[shanti]

8. there are lots of good dentists

mine is a sweetheart, he's caring, concerned, and competent - and he takes payment in full! yes!

[WillParkinson]

4. Well, he is partially right...

It will cost you more in the long run not to have a problem taken care of.

(Believe me, I'm the...er...mouth of experience on that one...)

[Digit]

5. Compassion

Is asking for compassion too much?
I guess I was asking if compassion was outside the realm of a repuke
dentist. Sh*t, it is not like I am asking for a discount or something. More has suffered than my teeth, believe me.

[Eye and Monkey]

6. Beware if he has a German accent and asks you "Is it safe?"

[ForrestGump]

10. ...or if he looks like this:

[Philostopher]

7. Hey, you have my sympathies.

I went a dozen years without any dental care unless something broke and fell out in my hand, because I didn't have dental insurance and couldn't afford to pay the retail price for dental work. I know exactly what you mean about priorities -- the bottom line is, there are plenty of working poor people who just can't justify paying the outrageous 'list price' of dental work unless they're in pain. I was one of them until I remarried, and my second husband's job offered a dental policy.

My dentist never gave me any crap about it, though. Of course, he spends a couple of weeks of his vacation time every winter doing dental training seminars in South America and Mexico -- gratis, as far as I know. He's a fisherman, he fishes on the down time on his trips. He's pretty cool, in other words, and he understands why some people go without dental care -- that it isn't always phobia or bad choices. He knows the stuff's expensive, he's never pretended he didn't think so.

Of course, there's a distinct possibility he's not a wingnut.

[koopie57]

9. just a story here, nothing deep

but I had broken a tooth and was in severe pain. The dentist would not fix my tooth until he recieved the money to pay for it. We paid for it and then waited for the insurance money. We received a letter that the money was sent to the dentist. My husband went to the dentist's office and demanded that we recieve the money that was coming to us. The receptionist said that it would take her time to get it set up and she would have to set up this special machine and he said, "Well, go ahead, do it". Now this was all done at a very loud volume and there were several patients waiting. She said it takes time. He said I have time. She said we only do it once a month and he said you demanded payment before you would help her, and so I am demanding payment now. And, he came home with the check. I thought this might make you feel better *S*.

But seriously, it hurts to be treated poorly or to have needs not met cuz of money. I have been there and expect to be there again.