One for fellow dentist/medics - Not patients!
Discussion
Am I the only medical professional completely fed up with the general public?? I regard myself as a very thoughtful caring dentist who goes well beyond the call of duty. I do work in the NHS and I know to an extent this is all path of the course. I do receive a lot of compliments/presents/recommendations from others but it fails to keep me motivated when I come under such scrutiny (and outright disrespect) from some of my patients.
The blame appears to be solely on me and people have no concept that they have possibly done anything wrong (classic - obese guy who was 'allowed' to get diabetes?! or the smoker who blames you for stained teeth and aggressive perio. disease?!)
I'm ranting today as I have had a severe run in with an individual who I haven't actually done anything too (I mean haven't even treated at all! - new pt) following a ref. to a specialist at his request. Long story short is I'm quite certain I will have a legal matter on my hands which I know will go nowhere, but feel quite upset and really don't want the stress.
I know you can't win them all but I'm sick of being considered a very convenient escape goat. I know others will understand that even one complaint out of 1000 happy ones knocks you for 6!
It has made me quite down about my job and I certainly don't particularly enjoy it. Is this something everyone experiences from time to time?
I always wished I had become a vet instead, but never more so than now - at least animals appreciate help and realise they are mentally challenged.
The blame appears to be solely on me and people have no concept that they have possibly done anything wrong (classic - obese guy who was 'allowed' to get diabetes?! or the smoker who blames you for stained teeth and aggressive perio. disease?!)
I'm ranting today as I have had a severe run in with an individual who I haven't actually done anything too (I mean haven't even treated at all! - new pt) following a ref. to a specialist at his request. Long story short is I'm quite certain I will have a legal matter on my hands which I know will go nowhere, but feel quite upset and really don't want the stress.
I know you can't win them all but I'm sick of being considered a very convenient escape goat. I know others will understand that even one complaint out of 1000 happy ones knocks you for 6!
It has made me quite down about my job and I certainly don't particularly enjoy it. Is this something everyone experiences from time to time?
I always wished I had become a vet instead, but never more so than now - at least animals appreciate help and realise they are mentally challenged.
I spent 45 mins and missed seeing my son last week because I was trying to persuade some dopey t
t to let me get her out of pain. Yep, I was actually wasting my time arguing with someone to allow me to help them.
Let's not forget all the useless parasitic box tickers and envelope lickers the NHS feels the need to employ either...
t to let me get her out of pain. Yep, I was actually wasting my time arguing with someone to allow me to help them. Let's not forget all the useless parasitic box tickers and envelope lickers the NHS feels the need to employ either...
I've been feeling exactly the same for the last few months, since coming back from my travels I've been splitting my time between 4 practices.
I'm exhausted, demotivated, depressed, stressed and sick of the BS people feed to me day in day out.
Today someone coughed blood/water/saliva on me and the night before last I was dreaming about the huge perio abscess I'd been digging out.
Sugardaddies.com is SO appealing
Chin up, my grown up friends tell me it gets easier as your skin gets thicker. You can't please everyone all of the time and hopefully the ones you don't click with will go elsewhere.
I'm exhausted, demotivated, depressed, stressed and sick of the BS people feed to me day in day out.
Today someone coughed blood/water/saliva on me and the night before last I was dreaming about the huge perio abscess I'd been digging out.
Sugardaddies.com is SO appealing
Chin up, my grown up friends tell me it gets easier as your skin gets thicker. You can't please everyone all of the time and hopefully the ones you don't click with will go elsewhere.
Stay cool, fellow dentals. Remember that 00% pts are great and dont let the thickos grind you down. Been a GDP for 25yrs and seen plenty of potential complaints none of which had any basis of substance. Dentures made the old bag look 20 yrs older..oh yeah, XLA the wrong tooth......wrong arch and side allegedly, shade probs on veneers.etc...
All bks. Spend time on complaints re younger associates which are usually down to coomuncation failures.
Go and listen to Kevin Lewis for more advice..he will also cheer you up loads.
Most of us are decent average dentists. So dont believe the ste from adverts and websites re someones great cosmetic work. It just isnt true. I work in a fairly rough, needy area and dont take any nonsense from the nasty ones. Comes with experience.
PS..Rach....4 practices...WHY.not good for your sanity...are you hygernist or therapist.
All b
ks. Spend time on complaints re younger associates which are usually down to coomuncation failures.Go and listen to Kevin Lewis for more advice..he will also cheer you up loads.
Most of us are decent average dentists. So dont believe the s
te from adverts and websites re someones great cosmetic work. It just isnt true. I work in a fairly rough, needy area and dont take any nonsense from the nasty ones. Comes with experience. PS..Rach....4 practices...WHY.not good for your sanity...are you hygernist or therapist.
Hygienist, it's been so quiet at my 3 day a week job I cut down to 2 days and started doing some locum work to keep the funds up. 1 practice only wants me alternate Mondays so I locum the other 2.
The agencies are so quiet, noone is moving about at the moment, everyone wants to feel secure. At least I have a full week for the time being.
Last year I was commuting about 110 miles a day, so this is taking it easy
The agencies are so quiet, noone is moving about at the moment, everyone wants to feel secure. At least I have a full week for the time being.
Last year I was commuting about 110 miles a day, so this is taking it easy
No I don't think so, it's such a lovely practice really nice guys.
Therapists are having a hard time aren't they? Glad you've found a gem.
I've taken over after a long series of locums and it's very difficult to make change and show them I'm not just an S&P monkey. I'm also very impatient
Therapists are having a hard time aren't they? Glad you've found a gem.
I've taken over after a long series of locums and it's very difficult to make change and show them I'm not just an S&P monkey. I'm also very impatient
I think that a lot of the time we are a convenient "post to kick" and the real problem lies elsewhere than in their mouth.
My next door neighbour (in a terrace) complained that my turning our bathroom light on and off during the night woke her and consequently she couldn't sleep at night. The reality of the situation was that the light was only used when we went to bed (10pm ish!) and that was it- my point being that it is easier to blame me than address the real (more serious) problem
It is really difficult to switch off from these sorts of problems, believe me I know, however, the problem is his, not yours and you have done what you can to help him.
I have bent over backwards for some people and they still want you to walk on water and raise the dead. Oh yes, and they want it now and for nothing!
My next door neighbour (in a terrace) complained that my turning our bathroom light on and off during the night woke her and consequently she couldn't sleep at night. The reality of the situation was that the light was only used when we went to bed (10pm ish!) and that was it- my point being that it is easier to blame me than address the real (more serious) problem
It is really difficult to switch off from these sorts of problems, believe me I know, however, the problem is his, not yours and you have done what you can to help him.
I have bent over backwards for some people and they still want you to walk on water and raise the dead. Oh yes, and they want it now and for nothing!
If you do NHS work then you will always get them.
When benefits become entitlements.
When am I due my next set of (free) glasses?
I'd like those Prada frames - of course I haven't got any money its all free init.
I politely asked a patient to leave (for the first time ever in 17 years) a month or so ago.
Managed to miss 2 appointments - the last made barely 12 hours before - when questioned - oh my phone broke - obviously the only phone in the town then.
Then came in with what turned put to be a brand new pair of glasses on. Phoned issuing practice - yes we dispensed those free on an NHS voucher 2 weeks ago. Informed pt - oh I don't like them, I'd like more - it's all free init!!!! His feet barely touched the ground on the way out.
No its F*****G isn't free - all those who aren't lazy, workshy gobstes pay taxes. Now b****r off and don't come back.
Not that I'm bitter or anything
When benefits become entitlements.
When am I due my next set of (free) glasses?
I'd like those Prada frames - of course I haven't got any money its all free init.
I politely asked a patient to leave (for the first time ever in 17 years) a month or so ago.
Managed to miss 2 appointments - the last made barely 12 hours before - when questioned - oh my phone broke - obviously the only phone in the town then.
Then came in with what turned put to be a brand new pair of glasses on. Phoned issuing practice - yes we dispensed those free on an NHS voucher 2 weeks ago. Informed pt - oh I don't like them, I'd like more - it's all free init!!!! His feet barely touched the ground on the way out.
No its F*****G isn't free - all those who aren't lazy, workshy gobs
tes pay taxes. Now b****r off and don't come back. Not that I'm bitter or anything
Edited by DKL on Thursday 11th February 22:41
I feel for you Paul. We all get them don't we?
It really makes you miserable when you give your all technically and try to be thoughtful and then the person in question goes on the attack.
I still don't know whether working in France means I'm better off or not (I'm not just talking about money) but I assume you'd get less st in a private practice?
I have an Exel list on the assistants computer which automatically keeps names in alphabetical order. Whenever someone phones to take an appointment she consults the list.
If they're on it, they don't get an appointment, simple as that.
If someone turns out to be a tt on their first appointment or after, on the list they go.
It's starting to get quite long...
PS A quote from Mr Carlin often helps put it in perspective:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG5Xs0s55eU
It really makes you miserable when you give your all technically and try to be thoughtful and then the person in question goes on the attack.
I still don't know whether working in France means I'm better off or not (I'm not just talking about money) but I assume you'd get less s
t in a private practice? I have an Exel list on the assistants computer which automatically keeps names in alphabetical order. Whenever someone phones to take an appointment she consults the list.
If they're on it, they don't get an appointment, simple as that.
If someone turns out to be a t
t on their first appointment or after, on the list they go.It's starting to get quite long...
PS A quote from Mr Carlin often helps put it in perspective:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG5Xs0s55eU
Edited by Driller on Friday 12th February 09:33
pauldavies85 said:
Am I the only medical professional completely fed up with the general public?? I regard myself as a very thoughtful caring dentist who goes well beyond the call of duty. I do work in the NHS and I know to an extent this is all path of the course. I do receive a lot of compliments/presents/recommendations from others but it fails to keep me motivated when I come under such scrutiny (and outright disrespect) from some of my patients.
The blame appears to be solely on me and people have no concept that they have possibly done anything wrong (classic - obese guy who was 'allowed' to get diabetes?! or the smoker who blames you for stained teeth and aggressive perio. disease?!)
I'm ranting today as I have had a severe run in with an individual who I haven't actually done anything too (I mean haven't even treated at all! - new pt) following a ref. to a specialist at his request. Long story short is I'm quite certain I will have a legal matter on my hands which I know will go nowhere, but feel quite upset and really don't want the stress.
I know you can't win them all but I'm sick of being considered a very convenient escape goat. I know others will understand that even one complaint out of 1000 happy ones knocks you for 6!
It has made me quite down about my job and I certainly don't particularly enjoy it. Is this something everyone experiences from time to time?
I always wished I had become a vet instead, but never more so than now - at least animals appreciate help and realise they are mentally challenged.
My sis had a letter from an ambulance chasing mouth breather threatening legal action which soon halted when she pointed out that she was actually still at Dental School when the alleged mistreatment had taken place at the Surgery.The blame appears to be solely on me and people have no concept that they have possibly done anything wrong (classic - obese guy who was 'allowed' to get diabetes?! or the smoker who blames you for stained teeth and aggressive perio. disease?!)
I'm ranting today as I have had a severe run in with an individual who I haven't actually done anything too (I mean haven't even treated at all! - new pt) following a ref. to a specialist at his request. Long story short is I'm quite certain I will have a legal matter on my hands which I know will go nowhere, but feel quite upset and really don't want the stress.
I know you can't win them all but I'm sick of being considered a very convenient escape goat. I know others will understand that even one complaint out of 1000 happy ones knocks you for 6!
It has made me quite down about my job and I certainly don't particularly enjoy it. Is this something everyone experiences from time to time?
I always wished I had become a vet instead, but never more so than now - at least animals appreciate help and realise they are mentally challenged.
strangely have actually had quite good week, lots of my favourite pts, interesting mixed bag of work etcetc..
For a few second my hero-dontics of 10 fillings for a single band two felt good as I like the guy!
I wonder if they will ever understand that if they are nice to us we are nicer back?!!
For a few second my hero-dontics of 10 fillings for a single band two felt good as I like the guy!
I wonder if they will ever understand that if they are nice to us we are nicer back?!!
If it makes you feel any better, its not just the dental/medical industry who get like this. I think anyone who works with the public suddenly discovers how much crap gets thrown about and, as a rule of thumb in our industry, the less someone is paying for something, the more that they want!
mrsxllifts said:
I think anyone who works with the public suddenly discovers how much crap gets thrown about
I'm a lawyer, most of my stuff is corporate based so it's OK but I've had a couple of litigant in persons claimants against me in the last couple of months. The latest one wants to complain about me because I haven't handled his claim well - I'M THE fkING OPPOSITION YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO LIKE ME 
Anyway....I called in to say that as we have some dentists, could I point you in the direction of my thread here? http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... thank you!
Edited by Piglet on Saturday 13th February 12:57
Edited by Piglet on Saturday 13th February 13:11
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