My wife and I have been using this dentist for the past year and a
half. When we each saw him for the first time, he told each of us that
we have one old filling that needs replaced. Fine, we thought --
perhaps it's just a coincidence that we both really do have one bad
filling each. The next time I saw the dentist, he said I have another
old filling that needs replacement (another coincidence that these
fillings, which are probably 18-20 years old, happen to give out
within six months of each other). This time I said I'd call to make
the appointment for replacement, but never did. At the next six-month
appointment, they never even mentioned the alleged problem filling.

This evening, my wife saw the dentist (well, not the *dentist*--more
on that in moment) for her six-month checkup. The hygienist told her
that she has a between-teeth cavity ("no-floss" cavity?) and a chip in
another old filling. My wife asked to see the x-rays, and of course,
while she's certainly not a hygenist, my wife saw absolutely no
difference between the alleged between-tooth cavity and all the other
teeth. But again, my wife has no experience, so there certainly could
have been something there. But here's the kicker: the dentist left for
the evening during my wife's appointment, without even seeing my wife.
Is the hygenist qualified to make the calls about the cavities?
Further, isn't a six-month checkup supposed to include an examination
(no matter how brief) by a dentist?? What are we paying for here?

Zrat wrote:

> My wife and I have been using this dentist for the past year and a
> half. When we each saw him for the first time, he told each of us that
> we have one old filling that needs replaced. Fine, we thought --
> perhaps it's just a coincidence that we both really do have one bad
> filling each. The next time I saw the dentist, he said I have another
> old filling that needs replacement (another coincidence that these
> fillings, which are probably 18-20 years old, happen to give out
> within six months of each other). This time I said I'd call to make
> the appointment for replacement, but never did. At the next six-month
> appointment, they never even mentioned the alleged problem filling.
>
> This evening, my wife saw the dentist (well, not the *dentist*--more
> on that in moment) for her six-month checkup. The hygienist told her
> that she has a between-teeth cavity ("no-floss" cavity?) and a chip in
> another old filling. My wife asked to see the x-rays, and of course,
> while she's certainly not a hygenist, my wife saw absolutely no
> difference between the alleged between-tooth cavity and all the other
> teeth. But again, my wife has no experience, so there certainly could
> have been something there. But here's the kicker: the dentist left for
> the evening during my wife's appointment, without even seeing my wife.
> Is the hygenist qualified to make the calls about the cavities?
> Further, isn't a six-month checkup supposed to include an examination
> (no matter how brief) by a dentist?? What are we paying for here?

Laws vary from state to state. A hygienist should be able to diagnose
decay. However, I believe in most states (in NY for sure) the dentist is
legally obligated to confirm any diagnosis.

Steve


--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001
http://www.dentaltwins.com

> Laws vary from state to state. A hygienist should be able to diagnose
> decay. ..................

If they do, I hope it's not in Kansas.

65-1422. Persons deemed to be practicing dentistry. A person shall be deemed
to be practicing dentistry: ............................

(f) who diagnoses, or professes to diagnose, prescribe for, or professes to
prescribe for, treats, or professes to treat, disease, pain, deformity,
deficiency, injury or physical condition of the human teeth or jaws, or
adjacent structure; or ...................

k) who gives, or professes to give, interpretations or readings of dental
x-rays or roentgenograms.............



carabelli

can a technician see a patient for a shade match then?

"Mark Oborn RDT LBIDST" <> wrote in message
news: om...

> can a technician see a patient for a shade match then?

In Florida, that is not legal outside of the dentist's office. I see
no reason why not, and you would think that dentist's would want to get that
responsibility off of themselves, but that is the law today.

Vaughn

On Mon, 08 Sep 2003 23:16:53 GMT, Zrat <> wrote:

>My wife and I have been using this dentist for the past year and a
>half. When we each saw him for the first time, he told each of us that
>we have one old filling that needs replaced. Fine, we thought --
>perhaps it's just a coincidence that we both really do have one bad
>filling each.

Okay, next time you need three and she needs one .....

>The next time I saw the dentist, he said I have another
>old filling that needs replacement (another coincidence that these
>fillings, which are probably 18-20 years old, happen to give out
>within six months of each other).

Yup, is there a warranty on any other body part?

>This time I said I'd call to make
>the appointment for replacement, but never did. At the next six-month
>appointment, they never even mentioned the alleged problem filling.

Yup they can disappear ......

>
>This evening, my wife saw the dentist (well, not the *dentist*--more
>on that in moment) for her six-month checkup. The hygienist told her
>that she has a between-teeth cavity ("no-floss" cavity?) and a chip in
>another old filling.

Hygienist diagnosis .... another real problem in the office .......
Hygienists are not paid to "drum up business," they ARE paid to clean
teeth!

Now tell the hygienists that and then duck!

>My wife asked to see the x-rays, and of course,
>while she's certainly not a hygenist, my wife saw absolutely no
>difference between the alleged between-tooth cavity and all the other
>teeth. But again, my wife has no experience, so there certainly could
>have been something there.

Trust me, the hygienist has little experience too.

>But here's the kicker: the dentist left for
>the evening during my wife's appointment, without even seeing my wife.

TROUBLE! He should see her before the treatment, not after.

>Is the hygenist qualified to make the calls about the cavities?

Nope. And if she starts drilling, watch out!

>Further, isn't a six-month checkup supposed to include an examination
>(no matter how brief) by a dentist?? What are we paying for here?

SUV exhaust systems? I do not know ......


--
Joel M. Eichen, .
Philadelphia PA

STANDARD DISCLAIMER applies:
<You fill it in>

Not in Pennsylvania!

Dental hygienists are specifically PROHIBITED by law from diagnosis.

What about NY? As you know that is my old state and they are usually
up on dental law.

>On Mon, 08 Sep 2003 19:55:55 -0400, Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS <> wrote:

>Laws vary from state to state. A hygienist should be able to diagnose
>decay. However, I believe in most states (in NY for sure) the dentist is
>legally obligated to confirm any diagnosis.

--
Joel M. Eichen, .
Philadelphia PA

STANDARD DISCLAIMER applies:
<You fill it in>

Yup, good to hear KS is up on this. KS also allows "on the job
training" for dental hyiene ,,, the much feared- preceptor program!
Now I am for that in areas of need only!

On Tue, 09 Sep 2003 00:58:14 GMT, "carabelli"
<> wrote:

>

>
>If they do, I hope it's not in Kansas.
>
>65-1422. Persons deemed to be practicing dentistry. A person shall be deemed
>to be practicing dentistry: ............................
>
>(f) who diagnoses, or professes to diagnose, prescribe for, or professes to
>prescribe for, treats, or professes to treat, disease, pain, deformity,
>deficiency, injury or physical condition of the human teeth or jaws, or
>adjacent structure; or ...................
>
>k) who gives, or professes to give, interpretations or readings of dental
>x-rays or roentgenograms.............
>
>
>
>carabelli
>

--
Joel M. Eichen, .
Philadelphia PA

STANDARD DISCLAIMER applies:
<You fill it in>

YUP, but if the patient slips and falls its on you!

Joel

On 8 Sep 2003 22:45:54 -0700, (Mark Oborn
RDT LBIDST) wrote:

>can a technician see a patient for a shade match then?

--
Joel M. Eichen, .
Philadelphia PA

STANDARD DISCLAIMER applies:
<You fill it in>

Hey Vaughn,

Can you cite a reference?

It seems uncommon that a patient of his own volition walking into the
place of business or the house of the technician and sitting there
while the tech holds up shade tabs would run afoul of the law!

Is that a battery? I say no.


Joel

>On Tue, 09 Sep 2003 10:23:03 GMT, "Vaughn" <> wrote:

>
>"Mark Oborn RDT LBIDST" <> wrote in message
>news:. com...

>
> In Florida, that is not legal outside of the dentist's office. I see
>no reason why not, and you would think that dentist's would want to get that
>responsibility off of themselves, but that is the law today.
>
>Vaughn
>

--
Joel M. Eichen, .
Philadelphia PA

STANDARD DISCLAIMER applies:
<You fill it in>