Metal Mouth Message Board

Sorry, just need to get on my soap box for a minute...

How do you know the new dentist isn't going to be as nice as your old one? You're already going in knowing he'll never measure up to the dentist you really like. Bad way to start because you'll go into the appointment looking for reasons to justify why you were right in thinking he wouldn't be as nice. In other words, since you 'know' he won't be as nice, his flaws will stand out more. We are human after all. We tend to find what we believe we're going to get.

It's always hard when a good doc, ortho, dentist, or barber, etc. moves or retires and you have to get used to another person. We can all related to that feeling. I know I've been through it several times and am apprehensive about the new person as well. With that being said, please give the new dentist a chance to prove how nice he can be before you make the decision that he's not. It'll make for a better first appointment for you and him. After all, if you go in knowing he won't be as nice and looking for flaws he may very well walk away from your appointment saying, "I don't know what was wrong with her, but I hope I never see her again." Your feelings will make themselves known no matter how hard you try to hide them. Even if he doesn't know why, he'll feel a great discomfort in the room. Remember, you're as new to him as he is to you. He's hoping you're a good patient. Be one. Good patients tend to have good doctors (it's just a matter of perception).

Sorry, I'm of my soap box now. Without any sarcasm intended, please go into your appointment with the expectation that you will enjoy it just as much, if not more, as you did with your old dentist. You may be surprised.

Maybe you could find out where your dentist went and follow him to become a patient in his new practice.

Maybe you could find out where your dentist went and follow him to become a patient in his new practice.

That was exactly my first thought, too Lynn.

Find out where he went, Stacy, he may be happy to see some of his "old" patients at his new practice!

If he's not in your area any longer, give the new dentist a try...may fill your need nicely!

I don't see any problem with asking where your prior dentist has gone - I would ask. I just find it strange that their office did not send letters to the patients informing them of this change.

ssfw

My ortho office had two doctors, until April 1. One of the orthos has left. He was actually the one I saw most often - I would say it was about a 60/40 split between the two. One of the assistants mentioned it when I was scheduling my appointment - "Oh, usually you see Dr. X, but he will be gone after April 1." But, that was about it. There was some stuff on my ortho's web site, but not much else.

It's hard for me to decide what the protocol for this should be. When my regular doctor retired about 10 years ago, I got a letter about it, but I must admit, I haven't had too many doctors who have left or retired.

On the other hand, I have changed doctors a few times without telling them I was going!