I'm going to get yelled at today....

[JFS in IL]

I know it, I just know it. First check-up in what, five years? i do not remember - am sure I will get a talking to about the need to take care of myself etc. etc etc. Sigh. Ah, well.

[Stacey in MA]

Yes, I know- pathetic. We moved, and I never found anyone until now. Fortunately I have only 1 cavity. I thought there'd be a mouthful of trouble, as I've always had gum problems, AND I had a baby last year (which can do bad things to your mouth, gums and teeth usually).

Feel good that you have the appointment, you're going, and you're getting "over with". Good job! Hang in there - it'll be over before you know it....

:-) Stacey in MA

[Mom2legomaniacs]

WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? sorry just helping to get you prepared for what's to come.

Hope you get glowing reports of great health so there is no need for a dressing down!

[Canada_Mom]

It hasn't been 5 years for me, but it has been 2. I always seem to go when I'm pregnant... so no x-rays. The dentist is getting a bit annoyed with that... :D and the hygenist thinks we're crazy.

[Pencil Pusher]

Is this for a dentist? Oh, no. The last time I went to a dentist for the first time, I told the lady on the phone:

Look. I have bad teeth. I've always got a dozen cavities no. matter. what. I. do. And I don't want to be yelled at. Do you understand me? Does Dr. X yell? If she's going to gripe, even, tell me now, 'cause I'm staying home.

The lady was laughing so hard she was in tears, but she assured me I would not be yelled at. And I wasn't. Dr. X turned out to be a terrible dentist who had to redo everything she did, but she didn't yell. I stayed w/ her for 2 years. Much to dh's chagrin.

[mysticamethyst]

Just this month was the first time 3 of my kids will have seen the dentist, and 2 will end up with braces I am told. I personally saw the dentist for the first time in my entire life 2 weeks ago, and yes I have TONS of work that she will be doing. Just the work on my families teeth should cover her house payments for the next few months. Good Luck and don't let them make you feel bad. Dentist are expensive and not everyone has insurance; and when you do have insurance it really doesn't cover that much. :001_smile:

[PrairieAir]

I'm afraid to go to the dentist. It's been soooo long. I think it may have been 10 years! When it comes to the dentist or the doctor, the kids have always been the first priority. I don't believe in going to the doctor more than necessary anyway.

Up until this year I kinda figured sporadic cleanings and a visit if I had a cavity or something else obviously wrong was enough for the dentist as well. My kids had so many cavities they didn't even know about and they are finally caught up on dental care. Now I'm thinking the dentist is not like the doctor and that at least a yearly cleaning is necessary. (I know it's supposed to be twice a year. Starting with once a year would be better than what I've been getting.) I'm afraid of what hidden damage there may be and what that's going to cost, though. Ugh.

I did go in for my gynecological exam last year. I think it had probably been 5-7 years since the last one. I don't think I can bring myself to do that once a year, but I may make it every 2-3 years. I do the self breast exams and will get a mammogram at the recommended age. I think that's 40, right?

Optometrist visits are only for when I need more contacts or a new pair of glasses and they won't give them to me without a checkup. If I noticed my vision changing or any other problems, that would be different.

I probably go to the chiropractor 1-2 times a year, but only when I'm really hurting. My chiropractor is not one to draw it out and make you come back once a week for all of eternity either. He's like me and figures appointments should be made on a need basis and that's going to be different for everyone.

I still won't go see a regular doctor unless I feel there is something wrong with me beyond a cold or the flu. I'm pretty healthy overall.

We don't have health insurance, so that figures into our decisions some. (Dh is self employed and we cannot get it affordably.) I don't think I would go much more if we did have insurance, and I think perhaps some of the reason for the high cost of health insurance is that too many people run to the doctor for every little thing. The one thing I would do more often is go to the dentist, but, from what I've seen, dental insurance is not included in many policies.

[Baseballmom]

I keep avoiding the doctor for the same reason. It just keeps getting longer and longer. Maybe I will make an appointment today. But, I don't think you're alone.

[Philothea]

I like to remind these people that they are working for me. I pay their bills, the insurance that my husband gets also pays their bills and the service, which I am asking them to provide, is optional.

Imagine if you hired a landscaper, a plumber, or a babysitter and they all yelled at you and degraded you-- you would be outraged. Well I feel the same way about the dental and medical establishment.

[JFS in IL]

Dentist I do every 6 months (insurance covers it and he is a nice guy - yeah!) It is the "real" doctor I haven't seen (but hey, I haven't been sick...oh, except for that pesky pneumonia last month...when I ended up in the ER since I did not have a doctor to go to (and the kid's pediatrician told me to get my self to the ER stat!).

[elegantlion]

I'm glad I'm not the only one putting things off. I'd love to go to the dentist, it's the bill at the end that might give me a heart attack, which would lead to more medical bills. :chillpill:

I need to have my front teeth recapped (broke them out as a child), but the last estimate I received was more than my old car was worth. GRR.

[HomeOnTheRanch]

They shouldn't yell. They should just be thrilled you are coming in now. I went to the dr. last December. It was my first exam in nearly 4 years.

I once went 6 years between dentist visits. Even then, I only went because my wisdom teeth had come in and were crumbling. In addition to having my wisdom teeth out by a specialist (I have special teeth :D), I had to have several old cavities re-filled. That was scheduled for 2 different days (one side of my mouth each day). The dentist was called to jury duty the first day, so I requested they just do it all the 2nd day. I was a drooling chipmunk!

[Jennifer in MI]

Oh man!! I'm with ya'!! I hadn't been to the dentist in 3 1/2 years until I finally went about three years ago. Luckily, all was good.

I decided to get caught up on all MY appointments this spring. So far, I've been to the eye doctor (I haven't been to one since HIGH SCHOOL!!!). I still have 20/20 vision (at 37!). But she said I had some calcification in my eyes. Easy enough - allergy drops. And, I feel SO much better!

I have my physical appointment in three weeks. I'm dreading it. I've written down all my "problems" that make me wonder if there isn't something more going on. I'm SO nervous!! Anyway, it's been three years since I've been in for one. (Since I got pregnant with dd!)

I still have to make my ob appointment. I'm taking them one at a time.

And, I hope you don't get yelled at and everything is good!

[JuJuBee]

This thread makes me feel so much better. I have been putting off going because it's been a long time and I just don't want to be yelled at. It's really ridiculous, isn't it? Look, my teeth are crappy, I've had six children, and so I'm obviously a horrible person. OK, we said it. Now fix the problem, please!

But I don't want to go. Where's a head-in-the-sand smiley when you need one? LOL

[OnTheBrink]

I couldn't go to a doctor or dentist if I wanted to; I have zero insurance.

[Crissy]

I like to remind these people that they are working for me. I pay their bills, the insurance that my husband gets also pays their bills and the service, which I am asking them to provide, is optional.

Imagine if you hired a landscaper, a plumber, or a babysitter and they all yelled at you and degraded you-- you would be outraged. Well I feel the same way about the dental and medical establishment.

Exactly!
I would not ever sit through an appointment with a doctor or dentist scolding me.

[Daisy]

I go to the dentist every 6 monhts but I haven't been to a doctor for "you know" in over 5 years (shame on me).

[Sandra in NC]

That's a quote from my husband's Aunt Evelyn. She is in her 80's and the only time I can remember her going to the doctor is when she broke her arm. She takes no meds and is doing fine.

[Peek a Boo]

I like to remind these people that they are working for me. I pay their bills, the insurance that my husband gets also pays their bills and the service, which I am asking them to provide, is optional.

Imagine if you hired a landscaper, a plumber, or a babysitter and they all yelled at you and degraded you-- you would be outraged. Well I feel the same way about the dental and medical establishment.

This is my thinking too.


::handing out rhino skin for anyone else, lol::

[Peek a Boo]

I go to the dentist every 6 monhts but I haven't been to a doctor for "you know" in over 5 years (shame on me).

Daisy --
you march your self right outta that Dr's office

if he tries to give you any SH..sh...Sh...shame ;)

[Liz CA]

I like to remind these people that they are working for me. I pay their bills, the insurance that my husband gets also pays their bills and the service, which I am asking them to provide, is optional.

Imagine if you hired a landscaper, a plumber, or a babysitter and they all yelled at you and degraded you-- you would be outraged. Well I feel the same way about the dental and medical establishment.

I would not go back to any doctor (dentist or MD) that actually yells.
I can spend my medical dollar elsewhere and they should know that. I cannot imagine a doctor actually yelling. I'd be out of that chair so fast and out the door without payment.

[Jackie in AR]

I know it, I just know it. First check-up in what, five years? i do not remember - am sure I will get a talking to about the need to take care of myself etc. etc etc. Sigh. Ah, well.

Hope your appointment went well.