Frustrated with Medical Community

[nefarious_muse]

Hello All,
It's been a long time since I've been on this site but I had to vent - and figured that this is the ONLY place where folks will understand my frustration!

We have a new dentist, and it was time for my husband's cleaning and check up. The new dentist wanted a treatment plan from my husband's cardiologist....no problem, right? Well the cardiologist gives the dentist the plan (stay on Coumadin but monitor PT/INR 12hrs before and after, antibiotics, etc) and what does the stupid dentist do? His office calls and informs me that the dentist cannot treat my husband.

Can you believe this?

We've been going to this dental office for four years but the old dentist moved to another state, and a new guy started. Although they have all my husband's previous records, the new dentist doesn't want to hear it. Maybe the new guy is just really inexperienced but I think he's just an X#@$ that he doesn't want to risk a lawsuit! So I proceded to tell the office assistant that if my husband ends up dying from an infection from lack of cleaning/care, it'll be on their conscience (!) Argh! I am soooooo frustrated! How can people work in the medical profession yet be so narrow-minded???!!!!!! What ever happened to giving care to a patient????

Has anyone else experienced this - where a dentist refuses to treat you just because you have a heart valve????? Please tell me that this is just our bad luck and that this dentist is a dimwit!!!!!

Nef

 

[Ross]

I've run into my share of assinine things this week with the medical community, but I think this is a first that I know of. Perhaps this new dentist has been sued before and just can't risk it again or will lose his insurance? I would demand to know why he's refusing to treat your husband. If he's this much of an jerk, then maybe you don't want him anyway.

 

[Nancy]

I believe your dentist did you a BIG favor. Getting rid of him is probably the best thing. He doesn't have a clue about Coumadin and is scared.

Consider this, my husband had a long-time dentist many years ago who kept him as a patient, however because he was so frightened of the Coumadin issue, he kept telling Joe that his teeth were OK, well, eventually he developed a horrible infection and had to have dental surgery in-hospital. That was the end of that relationship.

So, you are lucky to have found out that this guy couldn't handle it. Get another smarter guy, perhaps a dental surgeon who should know about these things.

 

[Nan]

Hi Nef, how very frustrating for you!

My experience wasn't quite as bad, but I was going to a dentist who decided that he wouldn't take care of my teeth (routine cleaning etc.) unless I went off of Coumadin!!! Well, needless to say,we parted company. I am now going to a dentist who has no problem at all with the coumadin. Just wants to make sure I am taking my antibiotics.

You need to find him a new dentist asap.

I agree that no matter what, he does not sound like the right person to be treating your hubby.

Good luck.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

The American Heart Association has a (fat) wallet sized foldout that covers the pre-med protocols for Dental Work. GET A COPY and take it with you to your NEW dentist. Your cardio's office should have a copy. Or check the AHA website.

Also do a search for the Dental Association protocol for treating Coumadin Patients. A couple of versions have been posted from different Dental Schools or Associations if I remember correctly. There might be something on Al Lodwick's website www.warfarinfo.com

Sounds like your dentist is ChickenSh*t but if that is the case, why would you want to stay with him. Call around or ask your friends, PCP, and / or cardio for a recommendation.

Hope you find a better and more knowledgable Dentist!

'Al'

 

[nefarious_muse]

Thanks everyone for allowing me to vent and for the wonderful advice.

Yeah, the dentist is a sh*t, and I intend to find another. Al, I will definitely get a copy of the protocol and will also mail a copy to the dingbat dentist (in hope that maybe he'll learn something from the experience).

Thanks again everyone.....you guys are the best

Nef

 

[Harpoon]

I've been seeing my current dentist since I was in middle school (over 15 years at least) and he's seen my heart history go through the wringer. We've also been "keeping up" with the changes in prophylaxis protocols and the like. He just shrugged it off when I mentioned I was now on anticoagulants. I gather (though I'm about to check the ADA site on it) that's generally the practice now, no changes in medication or dental practice for a patient on coumadin.

He knew I might get a mechanical valve before I got it because the Cleveland Clinic needed a clearance from his office for surgery, to be sure my mouth was free of any infection (or whatever) that might travel down the vent tube while I was in surgery and afterwards.

Only problem I've ever ran into with dental work is when I needed my wisdom teeth out, pre-heart valve. My cardiologist didn't want me under a general anesthetic unless I was in a hospital setting. We ended up doing it under local, three teeth out in less than an hour and I got to walk out the door and to the car while all the other patients that day sat, half-dazed and confused, in a wheelchair...

Getting wisdom teeth out under local isn't exactly recommended, but I'm glad I did it that way.


If a dentist turns you away because he/she is unsure how to deal with your condition, you are MUCH better off without 'em.