Irritating Dental Visit

[Freedom]

Been stewing about this since THURSDAY!

Had my 6 month cleaning appt at 9:40 AM. I've been using this dentist for 8 years, and had the same hygenist all that time. "Jean" is always running late, she is KNOWN for this. Usually she is about 20 to 25 minutes late. Her cleanings are "thorough." Jean books her 40 minute cleaning appts every hour. I was the third one.

At 10:30, I went up to the reception desk to reschedule. What with one person ahead of me, and the phones ringing, Jean came out for me while I was waiting. I told her I couldn't stay. "You don't have 40 minutes available?" Um, no. So I go again on Tuesday, when I am now her SECOND appt.

Her next appt after me was already sitting in the waiting room, he arrived a bit early for his 10:40 appt. So he likely went in on time, with me leaving.

This is the 2d time I have done this, in the past 3 years. (Rescheduled and left) There are other hygenists in the office, and I am seriously considering switching to one of them. They sometimes -- SOMETIMES - run 5 minutes late. I've been told by Jean AND BY THEM that my mouth won't feel the same way after they have done a cleaning.

So I spent 45 minutes plus, watching the Today show and Regis and Kelly, at the dentist office, got "free" movie passes to a cinema that is no where near by (they have started doing this for Jean's clients apparently), and returned home to start lunch for Dad and I. I was and still am very irritated.

Now, Dad has one doc who is also a surgeon, sometimes on call at the hospital, and his appointments may run late if he has a surgery come in from the ER and can't leave in time to start his office appts. Even that is a some time thing. With Jean, it is every freaking time!

Was I wrong to leave? STILL steamed about this, grrrrr.

[K9karen]

No. First of all, if Jean is constantly late, you'd think the dentist in charge would speak with her. My guess is he thinks she's so good, people will wait and he'll keep their business. If she wasn't late, you'd be on time, that's not right. Especially when you have other responsibilities. Sorry, that's way to long to wait. I can understand an emergency, but not a constant thing.

Unless you have oral problems, I'd try another hygienist, just for the heck of it. If you're not satisfied, then you'll know the wait for Jean is worth it.

I just think it's plain RUDE.

[mrspunkysmom]

I left my former chiropractor for almost the same reason. Not because he was late, but because his receptionist couldn't bother to tell me he was running way behind. I could have run a few errands in the area and come back. I thought it was rude and said so.

[pomtzu]

Heck no, you weren't wrong. I did the same thing with a doctor appointment a few months ago. After waiting for over 1 hour, and seeing people still ahead of me still waiting, I told the receptionist I had another appointment and I couldn't wait any longer. So she said - let me reschedule you now - I said no and I would call later and make another appointment. I never did! I didn't even get so much as a feeble attempt at an apology. Yet some doctors reserve the right to not see you if you are more than 10 minutes late??? What's wrong with that picture?

[sasvermont]

I would make sure that you were her first appointment.

[Asiel]

I was going to suggest the same thing. My doctor is never late, maybe once or twice by ten or fifteen minutes but he always tells me to book his first afternoon appt. works great for us.
If you really like the work the dental assistant does then I would speak to the dentist and tell him that although you love the work she does you just cannot abide with her being late every appt so that your day is ruined. Ask him to speak to her or you will have to go elsewhere. Sounds like he doesn't care if his patients have to wait or he would have spoken to her ages ago.
If she's late for your next appt I would simply tell her to cnacel you and walk out and find someone else.