Nearly everyone has problems and concerns on the job, and sometimes you're just too close to a situation to solve something yourself. Share your concerns with Team Troubleshooter, and the experts will examine the issues and provide guidance. Send questions to [email protected].
QUESTION: I’m a dental hygienist, and I work in two different offices. Office 1 (full-time) is very prestigious and high-end, and their work is highly recommended. Office 2 (one day a week) is very laid back and conservative. Lately I’ve noticed Office 2’s treatments and diagnoses to be incompetent. I actually decided to have Invisalign done at Office 2 because it’s cheaper, but I was fooled when I forgot it requires interproximal reduction (IPR). I think the dentist completely shaved down not only my tooth but the cusp of a tooth next to it and my gums bled severely, and then he had to “bond it” because he messed up.
I’m terrified and I’m having anxiety attacks and I want to transfer my case to the other office. I’m only four trays in but I feel extremely conflicted. I feel awful that I trusted him, but I also fear for the patients who are being treated by him because this isn’t right. He just told me how he did an extraction and prepped a three-unit bridge in 38 minutes and he was proud of it, while the patient next door was screaming. Clinical and radiographic areas have not been addressed to par either. I know I’m not a dentist, but what do I do about this situation?
ANSWER FROM DR. CHRIS SALIERNO, editor of Dental Economics:
Dr. Salierno thought about this complex question and decided to share his advice via video. See what he has to say to help out this dental hygienist with her problem.
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Don't be shy! If YOU have a tough issue in your dental office that you would like addressed, send it to [email protected] for the experts to answer. Remember, you'll be helping others who share the same issue. Responses will come from various dental consultants, as well as other experts in the areas of human resources, coding, front office management, and more. These folks will assist dental professionals with their problems on DentistryIQ because they're very familiar with the tough challenges day-to-day practice can bring. All inquiries will be answered anonymously each Thursday here on DIQ.
