O
1/5
First of all, the ladies at the desk were very kind and patient. They were quick and efficient, smiled, and seemed to genuinely care.
I don't know why I'm the odd one out in these reviews, but Dr. Trinh was the opposite of kind... but perhaps he thought I really was a child. (Some people think I'm 12, I have a baby face.. but is that an excuse for treating someone a certain way?)
My teeth are in bad condition, something I have no problem stating. I'm not happy about it, no one would be, but it is my reality. I simply have not had the funds until now to get work done. I drank a lot of soda as a kid, but I managed to have only a few cavities until the last 4 to 5 years, in which I have also greatly improved my diet since and cut out soda. So what caused the massive problems with my teeth, you might ask?
Here's some background that this Dr. most likely would've never even asked me about. I am a mom of 3 under the age of 4. My teeth were not very bad before having my first son, which is part of why I didn't go to a dentist before then.. also because I had no insurance. As a young teenager, my parents were head-deep in medical bills due to my Mom dying of cancer. No insurance meant no dentist visits as a teen. Jumping ahead up until about 4 to 5 years ago. My teeth were pretty healthy with only a few cavities, until, that is, I had nonstop morning sickness and acid reflux. I was throwing up several times a day for months. That, and I have the redhead gene that causes my enamel to be thinner naturally. My teeth couldn't withstand the amount of acid in my mouth with those pregnancies. It was a vicious cycle of the toothpaste triggering my morning sickness, throwing up, brushing my teeth and washing my mouth out, and then throwing up over and over. And I'm sure calcium deficiency would likely add to my teeth problems due to having two back to back pregnancies, and one pregnancy in the 2 years following.
Here, I can only say that I was treated like a child by the dentist. If there's a way I misunderstood his tone, I am willing to listen, however the things that happened.. I don't think I misunderstood at all. I was asked if I eat a lot of candy. (Not really a question for an adult, and was off-putting right away.) I don't and I never really have been one to eat a lot of candy, but to get him off my back I said yes. Thinking back, I probably shouldn't have, but it is what it is now. Then, in a condescending, smug tone, he asked "How many times do you brush a day?" I was honest and said once a day, although I do try to do more than that, I sometimes forget. He replied in that same tone, with "And how many times are you /supposed/ to brush your teeth?" I said probably more than that, 2 or 3 times a day.
On top of all of this, I came in for a tooth extraction due to a broken tooth that's been causing me excruciating pain off and on for months.. like I wanted to rip the tooth out of my own jaw if I could kind of pain. So what was the solution to my broken tooth? I was told my shoulders were too tense so I was "too nervous" (who wouldn't be if you were about to get a tooth ripped out of your mouth,) and because I wasn't in pain in that exact moment, I needed to be referred to a surgeon instead despite the fact that I asked to get it removed. I did end up agreeing to the referral. Looking back, I wish I would have stood my ground for what I knew my needs were, even if I was nervous.. but I guess I wouldn't have wanted him to do the procedure anyways. I did, however mention to him that morning sickness has definitely contributed to my teeth problems in the last 4 years. He only said "Huh." And seemed to dismiss me totally, and move on with conversation. My husband was very upset at the way I was treated here. I think it's safe to say that I will not be returning.
Maybe he only treats people with good teeth well? Well, I can speak for is my own experience.
P.S. I paid $91 (discounted price using a discount program, OG price was $200.) Basically for a 5 minute exam and the x-rays that the specialist will have to redo.
