I just had a pretty bad experience at Dental Arts and need to decide whether to go back to get the damage fixed or go elsewhere and spin the wheel of fortune.
I used to go to a dentist (now retired) at North Cambridge Dental; they did a perfectly fine job until I needed a filling fixed. In a very similar situation to yours, he was visibly irritated and rushed, saying to people outside the room that he was in a big hurry, and kept saying nasty things to the assistant the whole time as he was jabbing around in my mouth. He did an awful job and not only didn't fix the filling but messed up a nearby tooth. I went back and had it fixed up for free with a different dentist there, but never went back after that.
I think the lesson here is that if a dentist is in a bad mood, they're going to take it out on your teeth.
I go to Francis Bane these days and have had nothing but great experiences.
Hmm! Yes, I overheard one of the front-desk people talking about how the computer system and network kept crashing, and I only later connected the dots.
I didn't really get that the dentist was in a hurry until things were well underway, and I don't think I would have felt empowered to say "hold up, just cap off whatever you're doing right now and let's do this tomorrow" -- or if that's even a plausible thing to do. (Plus I had some horrible rubber wedge thing holding my mouth open.)
I have no experience with the dentist in question, but have always had excellent experiences with Dr. Lorna Lally, the other dentist in that practice, and their hygienists. They have more care for my comfort than any dentist or orthodontist I've ever gone to.
If you decide to try someone new I highly recommend Dr. Richard Michalowski at Great Hill Dental (used to be the Harvard Vanguard dentist group but they separated a few years ago from HV). They are on the 4th floor of the building Harvard Vanguard is in in Davis. Dr. Michalowski is the kindest and most gentle dentist I've ever had and he really cares about you. I had some horrible experiences with other dentists and told him about them and he truly showed that he cared and reassured me about how things would go. I've been going to him for almost 10 years now, he changed my whole view on dentists.
I also had a very negative experience at Dental Arts. I'd received a recommendation to see Dr. Dobrin, but could never make an appointment with him. The dentist I did see was very condescending. I also had problems getting estimates for treatments. After this a friend recommended Porter Square Family Dental -- a practice of three sisters. I've been going there for at least five years and found them to be the best dentists I've ever used. Highly recommend them!
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I think the lesson here is that if a dentist is in a bad mood, they're going to take it out on your teeth.
I go to Francis Bane these days and have had nothing but great experiences.
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I didn't really get that the dentist was in a hurry until things were well underway, and I don't think I would have felt empowered to say "hold up, just cap off whatever you're doing right now and let's do this tomorrow" -- or if that's even a plausible thing to do. (Plus I had some horrible rubber wedge thing holding my mouth open.)
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