Dentist refused to see dd because we refused x-rays

[~Megan~]

I saw the dentist this morning in which I refused an x-ray. I had a nice cleaning by the hygienist and then the doctor came in and lectured me about how he couldn't do anything without an x-ray. I told him that I would consent to a necessary x-ray, ie if they found something and needed additional information that could only be gained by an x-ray. He said something to the affect that without an x-ray he could only look at my teeth and confirm that they were teeth, nothing else :

Later I got a message on my phone that the doctor refused to see my daughter this afternoon unless we consented to an x-ray.

I am furious. This wasn't a problem last year. She had her teeth cleaned and inspected, a little fluoride pushing but that's nothing I can't handle.

What should I do from here? I'm going to try to find a better dentist and put in a complaint with my insurance. Any other ideas?

[tanyalynn]

That's really annoying. It seems along the lines of the pediatricians that refuse to see kids whose parents don't consent to vaccinations.

I think there are lists of holistic dentists, I'm sure there's a website or something, and I'd think someone would be okay with x-rays only if there's an indication they're needed.

As frustrating as it is, if it were me, I would try to cultivate the attitude that it's better to know that this dentist is not compatible with my family's healthcare needs, and move on to finding someone who is. I'd be (hold on, looking for an acceptable synonym to my first thought), ticked off about it, but maybe it's better to find someone now rather than later.

[talk de jour]

. . . And? If you're unwilling to undergo diagnostics that the dentist considers essential in his practice of medicine, there's no reason he should be required to see you.

[~Megan~]

Originally Posted by talk de jour

. . . And? If you're unwilling to undergo diagnostics that the dentist considers essential in his practice of medicine, there's no reason he should be required to see you.

She was scheduled for a teeth cleaning. I don't see any reason why an x-ray is necessary for a cleaning.

I'm also upset because we have a managed dental plan and so there are only a few doctors in the practice that we can see and the insurance will cover.

[fortunecookie]

I'd be pissed. In hind site I can't believe I got x-rays for my teeth every year at the dentist as a kid. All that poison exposure for what? My 2 year old son had to have some major work done on his teeth. He fell and chipped them, and then they crumbled away after that. The oral surgeon told me he didn't need x-rays. Kids teeth were really easy to see what was going on. I asked around here in Costa Rica and it turns out they do not want new x-rays for the yearly cleanings. Maybe if the child was complaining and they couldn't find it, they would then ask permission to search further. But the norm, no way.

[wanderinggypsy]

Bah... he's just asserting his power over you. Brush it off and find another dentist. Lots in my experience are more flexible with the whole x-ray thing.