wisdom teeth extraction
Following a total breakdown in informed consent, I agreed to have all of my wisdom teeth removed tomorrow morning. I've just been looking at some of the sites that come up after searching "wisdom teeth extraction recovery" . . . and it's not pretty. My next post will probably be made under the influence of narcotics.
The reason I refer to a total breakdown in informed consent is that nobody I've talked to has been able to supply me with the most basic information necessary to make a proper cost/benefit analysis. Put aside the pain and recovery, and think for a moment about the possibility of nerve damage. Not an insignificant risk. Is nerve damage more likely to happen than some bad thing that results from keeping the teeth in? Nobody knows. Or if they know, they're not telling. What bad things can happen from keeping the teeth in? Many bad things. What is the likelihood? Nobody knows. I received some information -- information that did not add up to anything helpful. And then I gave consent. Is that informed consent? I think not.
7 comments:
In my dental experience, dentists are not concerned with patients' rights like informed consent in the way that the rest of the medical community is.
My experience is entirely as a patient.
Are you sure you weren't already on narcotics when you posted this?
No, he's right.
I went to a couple different dentists over the course of a few years. Each one said I had a cavity, and I should get it filled. But I don't have any dental insurance. So I try to ask what's the consequences of not filling it? Not one of them could answer it.
What is a cavity anyway? It's just a hole. It's at greater risk for infection than a non-cavity. One dentist told Betsy she had 7 cavities. She went to another dentist who said she just had pointy teeth.
Anyway, I eventually go and sign up to get the cavity filled. The guy finds another one, and then he says I have a chip on a front tooth by the gumline. If I pull my gum all the way up, I can see it. I think I've had it forwever. I try to ask him what is the consequence of not fixing it, what will it cost, etc. He says, "What do you care? Insurance will pay for it."
How's that for informed consent? Then I come back and they "fix" this chip without asking me, and I go over to the hygenist and she says, "Have you considered having your teeth bleached?" Now my teeth aren't exactly maize colored, so I'm a little taken aback. Then I get home and see why she said that. They filled this invisible chip with a big old visible white bond material, so that it's more noticeable now than it was before.
And it cost me $250 or so. And I didn't even consent for it.
Kevin, the only solution is to follow your countrymen's lead and eschew dental care.
I thought Betsy loved her dentist.
Betsy's experience was long ago with some other dentist.
And Betsy loves her teeth and loves dental care, which is not the same as loving your dentist.
I had my wisdom teeth removed when I was 14. Well, I had three removed, apparently I only had three. I'm pretty sure that no one consented. I also know that they were "impacted", whatever that means. I think it means "in the bone", which if you ask me is where wisdom teeth should be when you are 14 years old. Anyway, I think there is a pattern of no consent. Little shop of horrors? I think so. And, no, while appropriate, I am not referring to KCW's picture.
Congrats on Richmond, by the way. I know that you guys loved it there and Shan must be so happy. I'm sure the Match will go great for her!
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