I work for the worst dentist of all time!!

[jdmdent]

Just a word of advice, If you're not sure about becoming a dentist don't do it. I work for a dentist who is awful, his work is awful, he can't perform basis functions in the mouth, and he misses obvious decay during exams. This is a small fraction of his issues. I've tried to talk to him about it but I unfortunately do not have the right credentials (DDS) to tell him that he is an idiot. Again only go for dentistry if you are sure...really sure. I feel so bad for patients it makes me sick.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[aphistis]

Just a word of advice, If you're not sure about becoming a dentist don't do it. I work for a dentist who is awful, his work is awful, he can't perform basis functions in the mouth, and he misses obvious decay during exams. This is a small fraction of his issues. I've tried to talk to him about it but I unfortunately do not have the right credentials (DDS) to tell him that he is an idiot. Again only go for dentistry if you are sure...really sure. I feel so bad for patients it makes me sick.

There are so many problems with the logic of this post that I don't even know where to start.

 

[NuckingFutz]

Wait, so how does you working for a "crap" dentist has anything to do with someone who is curious about being a dentist??

You may want to rethink your outburst there before the flaming begins.

 

[Navy doc]

It's true, I have work with dentist who are newbies (2 years in practice) and are very incompetent. One dentist had me take about 10 x-rays (no exageration), through out the procedure for a MODFL, I mean it's ok to take pre and post but 10 🙁. Anyways, hopefullty experince will help them trough their career.

 

[jdmdent]

His reasons for becoming a dentist was for the prestige of the position. He did not become a dentist to help patients. He is also no new dentist, he has been working for about 11 years.

Sorry about the burst of flames but I am so irritated. I just don't want people who are unsure of dentistry or who are seeking dentistry so they can be a "Doctor" to become dentists. When this happens the patients suffer. They really need a advocate not some guy who has no dexterous skills working in their mouths.

I have tried to reason with him to improve his skills but he refuses to acknowledge there is a problem.

 

[TempleDMDKrazd]

Just a word of advice, If you're not sure about becoming a dentist don't do it. I work for a dentist who is awful, his work is awful, he can't perform basis functions in the mouth, and he misses obvious decay during exams. This is a small fraction of his issues. I've tried to talk to him about it but I unfortunately do not have the right credentials (DDS) to tell him that he is an idiot. Again only go for dentistry if you are sure...really sure. I feel so bad for patients it makes me sick.

i don't get how you know he miss decays in the patients' mouth. Either you can read radiographs or you're visually/physically poking at it. How do you know he is an idiot? I really don't get it. I don't think you have the training just yet.

 

[tnig469]

His reasons for becoming a dentist was for the prestige of the position. He did not become a dentist to help patients. He is also no new dentist, he has been working for about 11 years.

Sorry about the burst of flames but I am so irritated. I just don't want people who are unsure of dentistry or who are seeking dentistry so they can be a "Doctor" to become dentists. When this happens the patients suffer. They really need a advocate not some guy who has no dexterous skills working in their mouths.

I have tried to reason with him to improve his skills but he refuses to acknowledge there is a problem.

I understand being irritated at the situation but you cannot judge the whole dental world for one person's mistakes. Some people who JUST want to become doctor will become dentist and be GREAT at it. It can happen the other way too.

Questioning a dentist about his OWN procedures is somewhat bold. All dentist must go through 4 years of dental school and pass exams. A pre-dental student shouldn't think about questioning a professional in that manner. Unless, the dentist is completely CRAZY than I would question it.

 

[jdmdent]

I have poked the decay before he comes in the room before, multiple times, and it sticks and after his exam he tells the patient everything is fine and they are good to go. So you pull him aside and casually say "what about #3?" He'll go back in the room recheck and say "Oh, I guess the explorer isn't very sharp, thats why I didn't see it". This isn't a one time occurrence this is a vast majority of patients.

This isn't even our biggest issue, which is the sad part.

 

[TempleDMDKrazd]

I have poked the decay before he comes in the room before, multiple times, and it sticks and after his exam he tells the patient everything is fine and they are good to go. So you pull him aside and casually say "what about #3?" He'll go back in the room recheck and say "Oh, I guess the explorer isn't very sharp, thats why I didn't see it". This isn't a one time occurrence this is a vast majority of patients.

This isn't even our biggest issue, which is the sad part.

so, you're telling me you know what a decay feels like? just because it stick doesn't mean it's a decay (you could be jamming in a pit/fissure). you don't even have the qualifications to do that. you know if it was surface caries and you stuck an explorer really hard into that area you just destroyed the patient's ability to remineralized that area.

 

[DiNoZeRo2o9]

so, you're telling me you know what a decay feels like? just because it stick doesn't mean it's a decay (you could be jamming in a pit/fissure). you don't even have the qualifications to do that. you know if it was surface caries and you stuck an explorer really hard into that area you just destroyed the patient's ability to remineralized that area.

Templedmd,

Whether some of us predents have the "credentials" yet or not, blatant decay is easily spotted by anyone who has assisted for a long enough period of time. I sometimes find decay in people's mouths or see it in the radiographs and kindly point it out to my Doctor and have not been wrong yet.

 

[jdmdent]

I understand being irritated at the situation but you cannot judge the whole dental world for one person's mistakes. Some people who JUST want to become doctor will become dentist and be GREAT at it. It can happen the other way too.

Questioning a dentist about his OWN procedures is somewhat bold. All dentist must go through 4 years of dental school and pass exams. A pre-dental student shouldn't think about questioning a professional in that manner. Unless, the dentist is completely CRAZY than I would question it.

Yes it is bold you are right. There are some things that happen in dental offices that you do not need a doctorate to understand. When an assistant must do things for the doctor because he cannot, its never a good sign. He has a hard time preforming basic functions, such as he cannot hold the tongue back while working on the lower left, its dexterously impossible for him and many times cause pain to the patient. His hands are awkward, and he cannot place a matrix band the assistant must do it. He can get a bur into the high speed so the assistant changes his burs. Would you want this man working in your mouth? I have no idea how he passed his boards. I feel like I cannot just watch this and I must say something, thats why I have to be so bold. I think it would be unethical to stand by without saying a word.

 

[jdmdent]

so, you're telling me you know what a decay feels like? just because it stick doesn't mean it's a decay (you could be jamming in a pit/fissure). you don't even have the qualifications to do that. you know if it was surface caries and you stuck an explorer really hard into that area you just destroyed the patient's ability to remineralized that area.

Do you know what decay "feels like"? I say when an explorer sinks in about 2-3 mm there is a problem. Wouldn't you agree?

 

[TempleDMDKrazd]

Do you know what decay "feels like"? I say when an explorer sinks in about 2-3 mm there is a problem. Wouldn't you agree?

No, I don't agree with that. That isn't a definition of a decay. I could easily stick an explorer into a patient's pit and fissure and it would sink easily. Good job you just messed up the patient's ability to remineralized if it was just a surface carie.

 

[DrReo]

No, I don't agree with that. That isn't a definition of a decay. I could easily stick an explorer into a patient's pit and fissure and it would sink easily. Good job you just messed up the patient's ability to remineralized if it was just a surface carie.

👍

Hence, this is why you don't have a DDS/DMD.

 

[Contach]

what other problems does this dentist have jdmdent?

 

[biasedref]

So if I tell you I work for an amazing dentist, will you change your mind back?

 

[jdmdent]

what other problems does this dentist have jdmdent?

Aside from missing the obvious, his dexterity. His hands shake, when he drills sometimes he misses. The tissue of our patients is massacred by then end of there appointment.

He is obsessive about removing all decay ( even thought he misses most of it in exams) so when he drills he drills down to the pulp. He'll stain with seek, no tooth stained but he will continue to drill till we have a pulp exposure. After which will not place a liner or base or pulp cap and will fill. Every patient this happens to returns in a week with severe sensitivity and he will tell them to tough it out because he doesn't want to deal with it.

I should also mention that he is a germaphob. Dentistry was denfinitely a wrong choice for him. He washes his hand a hundred times a day and changes gloves during one procedure about 15 times. You should see the trash can at the end of the day!

He hesitates to touch peoples mouths, his face looks like he is about to pick up a pile of s**t with his bare hands.

 

[jdmdent]

So if I tell you I work for an amazing dentist, will you change your mind back?

I've worked for amazing dentists too. I think in my rage I should have been more specific. Just make sure you have experience in the profession and know that you love it before pursuing dentistry. Otherwise you and your patients will be miserable.

 

[jdmdent]

No, I don't agree with that. That isn't a definition of a decay. I could easily stick an explorer into a patient's pit and fissure and it would sink easily. Good job you just messed up the patient's ability to remineralized if it was just a surface carie.

Hahahaha! You're right, decay usually stops in the dentin and then the tooth heals its self. Is that kind of like how severe nerve damage is repairable?

 

[dentalmagnet]

does he work for western dental? jk

 

[rewJW]

I should also mention that he is a germaphob. Dentistry was denfinitely a wrong choice for him. He washes his hand a hundred times a day and changes gloves during one procedure about 15 times. You should see the trash can at the end of the day!

In terms of handwashing, sounds to me like he's just doing standard procedure to prevent bloodborne pathogen procedure. You're supposed to wash your hands at least between each patient as per OSHA. There's nothing wrong with regloving during a procedure, either - sometimes gloves tear, sometimes you need to touch something without a contaminated glove so you need to take it off and put a new pair on. You're not the one paying for the supplies or for trash pickup so what do you care how full his trash can is at the end of the day?

Are you legally allowed to be poking around in your patients' mouths in your state? In my state, you have to be an RDA to do anything in the mouth other than suction and retract (unless you have an x-ray license, then you can obviously take x-rays). I certainly can't be investigating in their mouths with an explorer. It sounds to me like you may be doing something illegal.

 

[TempleDMDKrazd]

Hahahaha! You're right, decay usually stops in the dentin and then the tooth heals its self. Is that kind of like how severe nerve damage is repairable?

hahaha the joke is on you my friend. carie and decay (in your sense cavity) are not the same thing. one is reversible and the other is not. i hope the dentist you work for has good malpractice insurance because his assistant just screwed him up.

 

[rewJW]

Hahahaha! You're right, decay usually stops in the dentin and then the tooth heals its self. Is that kind of like how severe nerve damage is repairable?

I realize you are trying to be sarcastic but you are just serving to make yourself sound like even more of an ignorant jerk.

I've been told that if the decay is not yet into the dentin, it can't necessarily be reversed, but can be prevented from decaying further into the dentin, and may not necessarily need any other intervention. Perhaps this "obvious decay" your dentist is missing is not yet into the dentin. Or perhaps it is just surface staining. Or you could just be entirely wrong.

But I AM NOT A DENTIST AND AM NOT CLAIMING TO BE just yet. Give me four years, then I'll be able to tell you all about it.

 

[WayneSU]

Aside from missing the obvious, his dexterity. His hands shake, when he drills sometimes he misses. The tissue of our patients is massacred by then end of there appointment.

He is obsessive about removing all decay ( even thought he misses most of it in exams) so when he drills he drills down to the pulp. He'll stain with seek, no tooth stained but he will continue to drill till we have a pulp exposure. After which will not place a liner or base or pulp cap and will fill. Every patient this happens to returns in a week with severe sensitivity and he will tell them to tough it out because he doesn't want to deal with it.

I should also mention that he is a germaphob. Dentistry was denfinitely a wrong choice for him. He washes his hand a hundred times a day and changes gloves during one procedure about 15 times. You should see the trash can at the end of the day!

He hesitates to touch peoples mouths, his face looks like he is about to pick up a pile of s**t with his bare hands.

If he is such a terrible dentist and you are so irritated...then why do you still work for him?

 

[jdmdent]

In terms of handwashing, sounds to me like he's just doing standard procedure to prevent bloodborne pathogen procedure. You're supposed to wash your hands at least between each patient as per OSHA. There's nothing wrong with regloving during a procedure, either - sometimes gloves tear, sometimes you need to touch something without a contaminated glove so you need to take it off and put a new pair on. You're not the one paying for the supplies or for trash pickup so what do you care how full his trash can is at the end of the day?

Are you legally allowed to be poking around in your patients' mouths in your state? In my state, you have to be an RDA to do anything in the mouth other than suction and retract (unless you have an x-ray license, then you can obviously take x-rays). I certainly can't be investigating in their mouths with an explorer. It sounds to me like you may be doing something illegal.

I understand normal handwashing and glove changing procedure. I do it too. Take the normal Osha guidlines for that and then times that by 20. Its fine but when you won't shake your patients hand that is insulting. He is like the guy in The Aviator.

I am a CDA but I don't assist anymore. I am the Office Manager. I only step in when I'm needed. I did assist him for about a year. Now I live vicariously through the dental assistant and here the stories. Now I deal with the patient when they call and tell me how much pain they are in after their procedures.

 

[DMDreaming]

If he is such a terrible dentist and you are so irritated...then why do you still work for him?

Amen! 👍

Also, I wonder if this dentist wears glasses. I worked with a dentist who sometimes missed what others thought was obvious decay. We encouraged him to use the health insurance vision plan. Once he got glasses, his ability to detect caries and the accuracy of his preps improved considerably. Why doesn't the OP either 1.) Get a new job; or 2.) Help this person with positive suggestions?

 

[jdmdent]

Amen! 👍

Also, I wonder if this dentist wears glasses. I worked with a dentist who sometimes missed what others thought was obvious decay. We encouraged him to use the health insurance vision plan. Once he got glasses, his ability to detect caries and the accuracy of his preps improved considerably. Why doesn't the OP either 1.) Get a new job; or 2.) Help this person with positive suggestions?

He wears the biggest loops I have ever seen. I would love a new job. I have had many heart to hearts with this dentist and I have also fought with him too. He is a very nice person outside the office but when he is at work he is so frustrating. Our positive talks were really good. Then he is aware of a certain mistake but he makes it again because it is easier than changing. It will take a lot of work for him to become a good dentist but he is too lazy to put forth that effort.

Part of the problem with quitting is if I leave so does the hygienist and the assistant. I have put in my two weeks before and then the hyg. and asst. did so to. The doctor had to beg everyone to stay and I feel like I cannot be the catalyst of his bankruptcy. I am trying to find a replacement but it is extremely difficult to find someone the dr, hyg. and asst like.

 

[texas_dds]

mods?

 

[PDizzle]

He wears the biggest loops I have ever seen. I would love a new job. I have had many heart to hearts with this dentist and I have also fought with him too. He is a very nice person outside the office but when he is at work he is so frustrating. Our positive talks were really good. Then he is aware of a certain mistake but he makes it again because it is easier than changing. It will take a lot of work for him to become a good dentist but he is too lazy to put forth that effort.

Part of the problem with quitting is if I leave so does the hygienist and the assistant. I have put in my two weeks before and then the hyg. and asst. did so to. The doctor had to beg everyone to stay and I feel like I cannot be the catalyst of his bankruptcy. I am trying to find a replacement but it is extremely difficult to find someone the dr, hyg. and asst like.

If he is as bad and hopeless of a dentist as you say, I would consider you being a catalyst for his bankruptcy as public service. Wouldn't you?

 

[doc3232]

I should pull up a youtube link of the "everyone who has just heard..." speech in Happy Gilmore. 😀

 

[rdhdds1]

I understand normal handwashing and glove changing procedure. I do it too. Take the normal Osha guidlines for that and then times that by 20. Its fine but when you won't shake your patients hand that is insulting. He is like the guy in The Aviator.

I am a CDA but I don't assist anymore. I am the Office Manager. I only step in when I'm needed. I did assist him for about a year. Now I live vicariously through the dental assistant and here the stories. Now I deal with the patient when they call and tell me how much pain they are in after their procedures.

He wears the biggest loops I have ever seen. I would love a new job. I have had many heart to hearts with this dentist and I have also fought with him too. He is a very nice person outside the office but when he is at work he is so frustrating. Our positive talks were really good. Then he is aware of a certain mistake but he makes it again because it is easier than changing. It will take a lot of work for him to become a good dentist but he is too lazy to put forth that effort.

Part of the problem with quitting is if I leave so does the hygienist and the assistant. I have put in my two weeks before and then the hyg. and asst. did so to. The doctor had to beg everyone to stay and I feel like I cannot be the catalyst of his bankruptcy. I am trying to find a replacement but it is extremely difficult to find someone the dr, hyg. and asst like.

The bold: Then be the office manager. Your frustration of his abilities or lack thereof should have stayed in the back office when you left it. Be the face of the office and leave it at that.

The italics: It is difficult to change any habitual behavior. The mere fact that you stepped out of being the OM and pointed out his potential flaws says a couple things about you: 1) you care and that is a good thing or 2) you don't know your true role as OM yet. As and OM it is not your place (even as an assistant it is not your place) to point out the potential inabilities of a dentist. This is not because he is a DDS/DMD and you are not (sort of) but it is his practice (I assume) and he can practice as he sees fit (or not).

The underlined: Cry me a river Justin Timberlake. So you are stating that every employee will walk with you if you quit? Must suck for the doctor to know that the loyalty that one should have for the one paying them goes as far as the bank. And the fact that you don't can be interpretted as not having respect for him/her. If you want to resign then do so. Do not worry about the practice. You have obviously made up you mind to leave and I wonder why you are truly sticking around? Is it for the security of a paycheck? And if you have started the process of finding a new OM, RDH etc why are you interviewing them if you are leaving? Especially the OM.

Whatever you decide good luck and I am glad I am not in that office.

 

[doc toothache]

Pre-dental after a name doesn't usually make one qualified to pass judgment on the quality of dental care by any given practitioner.

 

[NyCzPeter]

Pre-dental after a name doesn't usually make one qualified to pass judgment on the quality of dental care by any given practitioner.

Amen doc

You're ignorance is disgusting. You have yet to step foot into dschool so its safe to assume you know nothing.

Someone close this thread its an embarrassment to the whole dental community

 

[206127]

does he work for western dental? jk

haha...

I worked for Western Dental for a year, met one of the best Dentists I have ever met there. But yeah most of em are newer and need the help of the managing dentists. It's almost like a GPR there...

To the OP... even if you are right... let it go, looks like ppl here want to eat you alive!

 

[djeffreyt]

Just because the OP is a predent doesn't mean he or she cannot recognize decay. Just because I don't have a MD after my name doesn't mean I don't know what to look for to see I have high blood pressure, and even though as a DDS, I cannot diagnose hypertension, I know what is required to call someone hypertensive. Just because I don't have 10 years of experience as a mechanic, I have been around cars enough to tell the difference between radiator fluid leak and an oil leak. But if you asked me how to fix a leaking radiator, I don't have the knowledge. And even a person with little training can tell when a plant looks a little sick and needs help, but unlike my friends with years of gardening training, I cannot tell you the specific disease killing the plant just by looking at the bark. It's not hard to diagnose gross decay...that's probably one of the easiest things to do in dentistry. It's almost ridiculous to think that a person who has been in a dental office for several years (an assumption on my part) in the back office does not at least pick up on how to see gross decay. Knowing the right treatment, the etiology that caused the disease, and the other complicating factors is another story, but so far everyones blasting the OP for even questioning that the dentist is perfect at his job. There are thousands of dentists in the US, not every one of them is a saint and not everyone of them is gods gift to dentistry. The possibility that the OP could be right about this dentist is hardly impossible.

With that in mind, I'm not taking what this original poster said as gospel. Human beings are prone to exaggeration, and if the OP isn't exaggerating, then they should not just consider quitting and - oh dear - having the hygienist and DA follow him or her. He or she should report this dentist to the Dental Board in the state. It's all well and nice that you come on an anonymous message board to blast a dentist saying he is incapable of even simple diagnosis but to also insinuate that there are far greater problems with how he fails to treat his patients. You then tell us that only the truly worthy who do it only because they love it and love caring for patients should have the right to pursue this career. Well, if you care so much about patients...maybe you should consider their well being and see to it that this grossly incompetent dentist (at least in your opinion) have to answer to the dental board and not harm another patient.

Unless of course you're not being totally honest here.

 

[Pat Kelly]

you can use the explorer to detect caries lesion when you are a CDA? Must be a very relaxed office..

 

[SugarNaCl]

A bit off topic...but one of the first things we learned 3rd semester was that it is unprofessional to criticize the work of another dentist without fully understanding the circumstances surrounding the situation at the time... which we usually have absolutely no way of knowing.

Something to keep in mind for the future if you tend to agree with this way of thought. I experienced a dentist knock the work of another and ended up severely offending the patient. It was as though knocking the work of the other dentist was calling the patient stupid for seeing him so long. As if the patient knew.

 

[doc toothache]

I have poked the decay before he comes in the room before, multiple times, and it sticks and after his exam he tells the patient everything is fine and they are good to go. So you pull him aside and casually say "what about #3?" He'll go back in the room recheck and say "Oh, I guess the explorer isn't very sharp, thats why I didn't see it". This isn't a one time occurrence this is a vast majority of patients.

Just because the OP is a predent doesn't mean he or she cannot recognize decay. Just because I don't have a MD after my name doesn't mean I don't know what to look for to see I have high blood pressure, and even though as a DDS, I cannot diagnose hypertension, I know what is required to call someone hypertensive. ... but so far everyones blasting the OP for even questioning that the dentist is perfect at his job. There are thousands of dentists in the US, not every one of them is a saint and not everyone of them is gods gift to dentistry. The possibility that the OP could be right about this dentist is hardly impossible.

He or she should report this dentist to the Dental Board in the state. Well, if you care so much about patients...maybe you should consider their well being and see to it that this grossly incompetent dentist (at least in your opinion) have to answer to the dental board and not harm another patient.

While you have numerous analogies it is not clear how they are apropos. We certainly can agree that no expertise is required to recognize some problems and no doubt we could train a monkey to tell us the difference between ethylene glycol and transmission oil. Whether or not a particular practitioner is competent or incompetent is not exactly an argument a dental assistant can make with any degree of authority. The diagnosis and recommended treatment is based on the experience of the practitioner and not on whether the explorer is sharp or dull or whether or not there is a "catch". Some practitioners may not get too excited over a "catch" since it could be a case of enamel invagination, deep pits and groove, arrested caries or incipient lesions. The dentist may have wanted to humor the assistant since he did not feel there was a need to justify his decision on the lesion(s) in question. A "catchy" lesion in the permanent teeth in a patient with mixed dentition with wall to wall restorations might be viewed quite differently than a 60 year old patient with no restorations but with "catches" in the pits of posterior teeth. Moreover, in the situation described, the treatment modality can range from no treatment (wait and see) to sealants, amalgam, direct or indirect composites, gold inlay, gold foil or ceramic restorations. The suggestion to have the da make an anonymous call to the State Board of Dental Examiners seems a bit extreme. Finding a Dental Board that will act on "anonymous" calls is very very unlikely. Not treating a deep lesion is a totally different story since the neglect may lead to sequelae which would be far more detrimental than ignoring a small lesion. It may well be that it is dental assistant that could be reprimanded by a Dental Board since by his admission he is taking the liberty of doing an exam, which he does not claim to have been instructed to do so by the dentist. That action might be tantamount to impersonating a dentist and/or practicing dentistry without a license.

 

[ToothyMcGee]

We had a famous case of a surgeon in our town who was uncaring and incompetent. No one would do anything about it so finally a nurse went to the newspapers. She lost her job initially, but it prompted Royal Commission (like a congressional hearing) which exonerated her and lambasted the management of the hospital.

So in general I would agree with most of you about jdmdent being out of her place, but there are always exceptions.

Assistants

 

[doc toothache]

We had a famous case of a surgeon in our town who was uncaring and incompetent. No one would do anything about it so finally a nurse went to the newspapers. She lost her job initially, but it prompted Royal Commission (like a congressional hearing) which exonerated her and lambasted the management of the hospital.

So in general I would agree with most of you about jdmdent being out of her place, but there are always exceptions.

Assistants

And who knows- some day a disgruntled employee might return the favor.