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Howard McCollister
medicine forum Guru Wannabe
Joined: 24 Mar 2005
Posts: 243
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 Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 4:21 pm Post subject:
Is this good practice?
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I have a new dentist who seems quite good--compassionate, knowledgeable,
etc.
Yesterday I went for a cleaning and checkup, and told the hygienist about
one cavity I was aware of. The hygienist took x-rays and did the cleaning.
Then she told me that the dentist had looked at my x-rays, and had said that
they looked ok--the dentist said I should just make an appointment for the
one filling.
I believe they did charge me less than they would have if the doctor had
actually looked at my mouth. But...is this an adequate way to determine what
fillings might need to be done? The x-rays were digital, but I don't imagine
that would give more information than standard x-rays (correct me if I'm
wrong).
Presumably the hygienist would have alerted the dentist if she noticed
anything unusual, but past doctors have not only taken x-rays, but also
poked around in my mouth with a metal probe or one of the newer laser
probes. A year ago, in another city, a different hygienist went through my
mouth thoroughly with the laser probe, and then the dentist came in with a
metal probe and confirmed her impressions.
So is my new dentist following good practice? I'm eager to catch problems
at an early stage, and would welcome any reactions from dentists.
Thanks! |
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The Real Paul
medicine forum addict
Joined: 03 May 2005
Posts: 91
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| Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 4:33 pm Post subject:
Re: Is this good practice?
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He may be planning on doing your exam at the filling appointment
"Tim Chandler" <nospam@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:%K4je.1173$8S5.1029@bignews3.bellsouth.net...
| Quote: | I have a new dentist who seems quite good--compassionate, knowledgeable,
etc.
Yesterday I went for a cleaning and checkup, and told the hygienist about
one cavity I was aware of. The hygienist took x-rays and did the cleaning.
Then she told me that the dentist had looked at my x-rays, and had said
that
they looked ok--the dentist said I should just make an appointment for the
one filling.
I believe they did charge me less than they would have if the doctor had
actually looked at my mouth. But...is this an adequate way to determine
what
fillings might need to be done? The x-rays were digital, but I don't
imagine
that would give more information than standard x-rays (correct me if I'm
wrong).
Presumably the hygienist would have alerted the dentist if she noticed
anything unusual, but past doctors have not only taken x-rays, but also
poked around in my mouth with a metal probe or one of the newer laser
probes. A year ago, in another city, a different hygienist went through my
mouth thoroughly with the laser probe, and then the dentist came in with a
metal probe and confirmed her impressions.
So is my new dentist following good practice? I'm eager to catch problems
at an early stage, and would welcome any reactions from dentists.
Thanks!
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Dr Steve
medicine forum Guru
Joined: 24 Mar 2005
Posts: 693
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| Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 4:40 pm Post subject:
Re: Is this good practice?
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I don't know where you are. In Michigan it is NOT legal for the RDH to
treat you unless the dentist examines your mouth during that visit. After
that, the dentist must examine you every year and the RDH may see you
separately. I do not know of any States which all the RDH to make dental
diagnosis.
--
~+--~+--~+--~+--~+--
Stephen [What's a Temporary?], D.D.S.
Michigan, USA
.....................................................
This posting is intended for informational or conversational purposes only.
Always seek the opinion of a licensed dental professional before acting on
the advice or opinion expressed here. Only a dentist who has examined you
in person can diagnose your problems and make decisions which will affect
your health.
.......................
"Tim Chandler" <nospam@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:%K4je.1173$8S5.1029@bignews3.bellsouth.net...
| Quote: | I have a new dentist who seems quite good--compassionate, knowledgeable,
etc.
Yesterday I went for a cleaning and checkup, and told the hygienist about
one cavity I was aware of. The hygienist took x-rays and did the cleaning.
Then she told me that the dentist had looked at my x-rays, and had said
that
they looked ok--the dentist said I should just make an appointment for the
one filling.
I believe they did charge me less than they would have if the doctor had
actually looked at my mouth. But...is this an adequate way to determine
what
fillings might need to be done? The x-rays were digital, but I don't
imagine
that would give more information than standard x-rays (correct me if I'm
wrong).
Presumably the hygienist would have alerted the dentist if she noticed
anything unusual, but past doctors have not only taken x-rays, but also
poked around in my mouth with a metal probe or one of the newer laser
probes. A year ago, in another city, a different hygienist went through my
mouth thoroughly with the laser probe, and then the dentist came in with a
metal probe and confirmed her impressions.
So is my new dentist following good practice? I'm eager to catch problems
at an early stage, and would welcome any reactions from dentists.
Thanks!
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| Back to top |
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Dr Steve
medicine forum Guru
Joined: 24 Mar 2005
Posts: 693
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| Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 4:41 pm Post subject:
Re: Is this good practice?
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"The Real Paul" <no@no.no> wrote in message
news:2_4je.4581$uR4.1178@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...
| Quote: | He may be planning on doing your exam at the filling appointment
|
That would be fine for a patient-of-record, but not legal for a new pateint.
Tim Chandler" <nospam@nospam.net> wrote in message
| Quote: | news:%K4je.1173$8S5.1029@bignews3.bellsouth.net...
I have a new dentist who seems quite good--compassionate, knowledgeable,
etc.
Yesterday I went for a cleaning and checkup, and told the hygienist about
one cavity I was aware of. The hygienist took x-rays and did the
cleaning.
Then she told me that the dentist had looked at my x-rays, and had said
that
they looked ok--the dentist said I should just make an appointment for
the
one filling.
I believe they did charge me less than they would have if the doctor had
actually looked at my mouth. But...is this an adequate way to determine
what
fillings might need to be done? The x-rays were digital, but I don't
imagine
that would give more information than standard x-rays (correct me if I'm
wrong).
Presumably the hygienist would have alerted the dentist if she noticed
anything unusual, but past doctors have not only taken x-rays, but also
poked around in my mouth with a metal probe or one of the newer laser
probes. A year ago, in another city, a different hygienist went through
my
mouth thoroughly with the laser probe, and then the dentist came in with
a
metal probe and confirmed her impressions.
So is my new dentist following good practice? I'm eager to catch
problems
at an early stage, and would welcome any reactions from dentists.
Thanks!
|
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| Back to top |
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Howard McCollister
medicine forum Guru Wannabe
Joined: 24 Mar 2005
Posts: 243
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| Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 5:30 pm Post subject:
Re: Is this good practice?
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Thanks, Dr. Steve!
I'm in North Carolina...but despite differing state regulations, I guess my
real question is whether merely looking at x-rays is an adequate way to
determine what fillings need to be done. If not, and if he doesn't look more
carefully at the filling appointment, I'll be tempted to go elsewhere in the
future.
BTW, it's very valuable to get feedback from practicing professionals!
"Dr Steve" <nospam@home.net> wrote in message
news:B45je.2836$VS6.1744@newssvr19.news.prodigy.com...
| Quote: | I don't know where you are. In Michigan it is NOT legal for the RDH to
treat you unless the dentist examines your mouth during that visit. After
that, the dentist must examine you every year and the RDH may see you
separately. I do not know of any States which all the RDH to make dental
diagnosis.
--
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| Back to top |
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Dr Steve
medicine forum Guru
Joined: 24 Mar 2005
Posts: 693
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| Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 5:32 pm Post subject:
Re: Is this good practice?
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If he does a full physical exam when you are in the office for the filling,
then "no Problem" with regards to knowing the status of your teeth.
However, it is still not legal.
--
~+--~+--~+--~+--~+--
Stephen [What's a Temporary?], D.D.S.
Michigan, USA
.....................................................
This posting is intended for informational or conversational purposes only.
Always seek the opinion of a licensed dental professional before acting on
the advice or opinion expressed here. Only a dentist who has examined you
in person can diagnose your problems and make decisions which will affect
your health.
.......................
"Tim Chandler" <nospam@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:qI5je.619$CR5.231@bignews1.bellsouth.net...
| Quote: | Thanks, Dr. Steve!
I'm in North Carolina...but despite differing state regulations, I guess
my
real question is whether merely looking at x-rays is an adequate way to
determine what fillings need to be done. If not, and if he doesn't look
more
carefully at the filling appointment, I'll be tempted to go elsewhere in
the
future.
BTW, it's very valuable to get feedback from practicing professionals!
"Dr Steve" <nospam@home.net> wrote in message
news:B45je.2836$VS6.1744@newssvr19.news.prodigy.com...
I don't know where you are. In Michigan it is NOT legal for the RDH to
treat you unless the dentist examines your mouth during that visit.
After
that, the dentist must examine you every year and the RDH may see you
separately. I do not know of any States which all the RDH to make dental
diagnosis.
--
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| Back to top |
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W_B
medicine forum Guru
Joined: 24 Mar 2005
Posts: 2715
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| Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 5:45 pm Post subject:
Re: Is this good practice?
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On Thu, 19 May 2005 15:30:25 -0400, "Tim Chandler" <nospam@nospam.net> wrote:
| Quote: | Thanks, Dr. Steve!
I'm in North Carolina...but despite differing state regulations, I guess my
real question is whether merely looking at x-rays is an adequate way to
determine what fillings need to be done.
|
Many times yes, sometimes no.
| Quote: | If not, and if he doesn't look more
carefully at the filling appointment, I'll be tempted to go elsewhere in the
future.
|
Not a bad idea.
| Quote: |
BTW, it's very valuable to get feedback from practicing professionals!
|
--
W_B
Take out the G'RBAGE
wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com |
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