Hi all. I've been cancer free for nearly 11 years now and as 'well' as I'm ever going to be. I went to the dentist today for a routine check up and found out that my dentist is semi retired and I've been allocated a new one. NOT HAPPY WITH THAT.
My old dentist was the one I'd had since I was about 20 and was the one who spotted the cancer in the first place, he knew my history and I felt safe in his hands.
My new dentist is, at a guess, Polish and I could hardly understand her. This freaks me out, she hadn't read my notes so didn't even know I had Trismus. I dont know where she trained or if she's any good and I go to the dentist every 3 months just because it makes me feel better. She isn't very old, which I see as not very experienced so I'm getting worried that she may miss something in future.
This is probably me being paranoid but when it comes to my mouth and cancer I hate these sort of changes. Would anyone else worry in these circumstances?. Hagg.

Hi Haag
We have all heard that we should not judge a book by its cover!
I had tongue pain and went to my normal dentist for a check-up My dentist was replaced by some female middle eastern dentist who knew nothing about me or my history and we checked my tongue to see if a lesion in my mid-tongue was caused by some mechanical problem. She suggested I have the lesion checked elsewhere, perhaps by and oncologist, because it could be cancer. I of course thought she was absolutely nuts so I went to another dentist who did crown work to rule out a mechanical problem. This of course was not the problem.
Over the next two months I went to several ENT specialists who assured me that that the growth was not cancer, I had a negative MRI!, administered Valtrex thinking it could be Herpes, and told it would be okay.
No one would do a biopsy. They assured my that my doubts about cancer were out of the question.
I then went to an Oral Surgeon who said that anything alive in the mouth for 2-3 months needs to come out and he did an immediate removal when I found out that it was an invasive malignant growth.
I oftentimes hear that original dentist, whom I had little trust and respect for, and realized that she was the only one awake at the wheel!.
I had subsequent surgery at Sloan in NY.I am not sure what point I am making, but please do not dismiss the ability of this new dentist. Make certain your treating physician is thorough and caring and you will know if they should be trusted.

Hi Hagg,

I know what you mean about change, I think we all hate change and of course in your situation it must be worse so I do understand your concerns. Why not see how it goes with her for a couple of checks. Did your dentist not mention she/he was semi-retiring are they not doing any work? or could you occasionally see him/her.

Take care

Mum
x

Hagg I feel I have to respond to your concerns. I have worked as either a dental nurse or receptionist for all my working life, some of which was spent working in hospital in oral surgery. The only clue I can give you, recommendations are always good when looking for new dentists but in my experience (my two neices are dental nurses and my daughter as well) if the dental nurse is willing to be treated in the practice by that dentist then go for it. Difficult to find out I know, but I quite often tell patients in my practice that I am treated there. Chat to friends and neighbours and put the feelers out. Good dentists are out there, I would never work anywhere I wouldn't be treated. Good luck. x

Hi Hagg
Just passing and saw your post. I fully appreciate your apprehension re change but the replies you've had are very reassuring. My sister will only see a young doctor! She wants to know that they'll be around longer than her and she won't have to go through the whole change thing!
The thing that caught my eye with your post though was 'for nearly 11 years'! That's great. You always used to say '10 years and still kicking it'. How good is that.
I haven't been on line for ages now (working full time really messes up your life!!!) but I was talking with a customer last week about her new tattoo and so now have the number of the artist (everyone has let me down on this) so I'll chase him up. I am determined to get that damn tattoo!
Take care, Hagg. I think of you and all the other 'old' posters often, as does Trevor.
Love
Deborah

Hi Deborah, yeah nearly eleven years, just about 2 months to go. The replies I've had are reassuring but when it comes to the cancer thing I hate change.
I look forward to more news on the tattoo, I had a cartoon nurse done on my chest the other week, I fell off a scaffolding in June and broke my nose which lead to another operation, so thought I should have a nurse on hand 24/7 from now on . I'll post a picture soon. Hi to Trevor. Hagg.

You know what - if you're not comfortable with it then try someone else!
Thank goodness i'm ok with my new dentist! I was terrified about goin with all my 'issues' and couldn't fault him at all. He was thorough and it always helps if you can understand 'em!!
so if you're not comfortable hunt around til you find some one you can be comfortable with!

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm still a bit paranoid and like you Chelle, definately have 'issues' so I'll just see how it goes. Hagg.

Hi Hagg

As you know robs dentist is about to appear in court in September to face charges of negligence.He was a replacement for the dentist who retired from practice after 30 years and had seen robin since he was a young sprog,so yes i understand your fears.stay vigilant and if necessary find a new one.

love liz

Hi Hagg,Just a thoughtI get treated by a Dentist at the Maxfax the same one since my op.
He comes from Eastmans 2 days a week maybe you should ask your Consultant.

Paul

It is difficult. I dont want to judge the new dentist, she may be better than the old one but paranoia is hard to ignore. Cheers, Hagg.

Hey Hagg,
If I can't relate to my dentist beyond "plesantries", I'm not allowing him or her to more important things in my life.

If it's language, gender or whatever, I need to know that my dentist and I are "clicking" on all cylinders in order to make sure he knows my concerns/needs/history etc....

So regardless of age, find the one you can relate to and takes the time to relate to you.

my two cents....

bob (pembo)

Cheers Bob. I'll see how it goes. Hagg.

Never required a dentist.
Hagg, my friend, take care,
luv,
Ananth

Wish I'd never needed one. Cheers Ananth. Hagg.