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I think my dentist's office is dirty. I have been going to him since a co-worker recommended him a few yrs. ago. I asked for a recommendation cause I just moved to a new neighborhood and wanted a new dentist. This dentis is personable and competent, but I just think his office is dirty. I always thought so. He mother lived in the bldg and owned it. She recently died. His office and equipment is so old-looking. Most dentist offices are very modern looking. My dentist is about 47 y.o. not that old. I think he's just cheap. His wife is a teacher. Last week I went to his office and I had no cavities at all. (I still had to pay $325 for a cleaning, exam and full set of x-rays). The area where you "spit" after you rinse with water was just so nauseatingly dirty. I mean, several patients spit in there every day. It was gross-looking last week! I am getting annoyed. It's obvious he has no cleaning service come in to clean his office. What would you say or do? I'm not saying anything to his face. I just don't understand why he doesn't see how dirty it is in the office where patients get their work done. If I can see the dirt without glasses, it's dirty. My eyes are not 20/20!!! Should I change dentists? I think he should clean the office, period. What would you say or do?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Wavy,

Yes, you should definitely change dentists. I did not know any dentists had anything you spit into anymore. Usually they suction the liquids out of your mouth.

The dental offices I go to are very clean including the toilets and the waiting room and desk areas. In fact it seems to me that the light they adjust to look at the patient have plastic covers over them.

Agree with LOS on this one- no one spits anymore that's so old fashioned and out of date. My dentist now takes blood pressure readings at every visit. Wavy, does your dentist and hygienists used masks, gloves, and goggles?

First and foremost ask for a complete copy of your dental records so you can take them to your new dentist.

Since you've just been there, let it go unless they contact you about scheduling another appointment. Then I'd say I'm not coming back because I've had concerns about the cleanliness of the exam rooms and tools for some time, and nothing seems to be done to bring them up to standard.

Nobody should be going to a dentist with dirty exam rooms and tools!

I just had a cleaning, exam and full set of x-rays for $175. No dentist in this area still uses the spit basin. They use suction. (Just wondering if he took over his dad's office and is using out-dated equipment...)

My suggestion is RUN!!

Get your records.

Then you might also report him to your state's dental board. Sounds as if they need to do a surprise visit!

Oh yuck!

Is he even sterlizing his tools between patients??!!

quote:

Originally posted by KeepYouInStitches:

Is he even sterlizing his tools between patients??!!

Yep, that ^ would be my concern too.

I would not hesitate to find another dentist at all.

Oh, and if you don't want to "confront" him about getting your records, just get your NEW dental office to request them.

Thank you so much for your info. This is a real eye-opener! I asked my sister just now about her dentist experience. She lives in NYC. I'm sure he sterilizes his equipment. He wears gloves, no mask. I am friendly with him, he's nice, so I do not want to confront him at all. I just want to discreetly find another dentist and not say anything. I wasn't planning on asking for my records. Dental records aren't as important as medical records. I never asked for previous dental records before. Just medical records and previous mamograms.
He doesn't have a hygienist. His receptionist does the other work too.....
I once went to his office around 1 PM. His receptionist said 'he'll be right with you'. I said, 'Is he eating his lunch'? She said, he was having a NAP! I still can't get over that and yes, I stupidly went back. What is he, A D@MN CAT???
I have another appt. next week. He has to do something with my teeth. I brush my teeth very hard and my gums recede. He has to bond it over. I want to see what my sister says about her dentist. I am so turned off at this point. I may cancel my appt. I'll think about it.

This is an easy one......find a new dentist!

For the record, my dentist hygentist chair has a spit area w/ running water and cups and I've been going there for decades now. So...they're still in use in some dental places. When my dentist works on a filling or crown, he uses the suction "thingie" vs. a spit area. Bottom line is, his office appears clean.

I would change dentists in a heart beat if I felt the place was dirty tho. No excuse for that even if he doesn't want to upgrade his equipment. That's not only visually disgusting, but dangerous to one's health. Indeed, they charge hefty fees so he can well afford to keep the place clean and sanitary.

Wavy, This is a tough one - you apparently like this dentist and the work he has done but are, rightfully, turned off by a lack of cleanliness. I say, instead of going through all of the trouble of getting your records, politely lying about cancelling your appointment and then going through the hassle of finding a new dentist, just speak up.

Tell him that you feel uncomfortable when things aren't clean and will have to use another dentist in the future because his office simply isn't clean. It might be the wake-up call he needs... a person can't correct what is wrong unless they know the problem.

I realize that confrontation is difficult but it doesn't have to be. You aren't saying that he is dirty; just that his office is dirty - big difference. He probably doesn't even notice it anymore - most people become accustomed to their surroundings.

If you are ready to switch dentists, up to you whether you let him know why. But, if you like him and the work he does, I'd suggest calling and asking the receptionist to arrange a call-back. When he calls back, simply say, "Dr. XYZ, I like you as my dentist but cannot continue to be your patient in an un-clean environment. Let me know if the office will be clean by the time of my appointment. If not, please send my records to me."

Put the ball in his court - chances are he might make the necessary changes. In any event, you can then walk with no regrets.

During my cleaning I had the suction tube in my mouth. It was at the end of the cleaning when he told me to rinse, is when I thought the area where you spit was really disgusting.
He did a lot of work for me last yr. I tripped and fell in the street and broke 2 teeth, damaged a cap, etc. I was referred to another dentist for root canal. The difference in offices was striking. The specialist's office was very clean, stylish and very busy. He worked till pretty late at night. I feel I am being charged a lot of money. It doesn't take Rocket Science to notice dirt. I just discussed it with my DH last night. My teenage DD piped in that she thought it was dirty and even commented on the ugly-looking box he uses to sterilize the tools in. I would purposely drop something on the floor to see if it is there the next time I was there a few days later. Bottom line, cleanliness is close to G@dliness. With patients sitting there in the chair, it's a turn-off. The first time I went I noticed the heavy smell of cigarette smoke when I walked into the office. The hallway stunk from cigarette smoke too. I'm used to it now, I am not paying for his son to enjoy 4 yrs. in a good college w/dorm. and he won't even hire a cleaning lady a few times a week. I'm changing dentists. I spent over $1000 last yr. I want a clean environment, period. I would be embarrassed, it's shameful and how come his stupid wife allows it? She don't see it????
I was planning on making an appt. for my DD. I'm glad I didn't and now will find a new dentist for her (& ME!)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Wavy,

I would just change dentists. Nothing you say will change how he runs his office.

My husband is a retired dentist. He said that between each patient everything in the patient's area was wiped down with a disinfectant...plastic covers changed on everything.

Even the dentist not wearing a mask is worrisome to me! No telling which patient before you had a communicable disease.

I just shudder thinking about this...

Your thread prompted me to do some Web searches and tho these aren't exactly related to your observations, I felt they were somewhat relevant to your post. Some are downright SHOCKING!!!
http://www.filamvetsrondalla.o...dirty-dentist-office

http://articles.nydailynews.co...es-hiv-and-hepatitis

http://www.insiderpages.com/b/...dirty-dentist-irvine

http://caseyschronicle.wordpre...-down-dirty-dentist/

http://www.longislandpress.com...ice-filthy-cops-say/

http://www.ehow.com/how_544592...ort-bad-dentist.html

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Glad you're moving onto another dentist and I hope your experience is much better.