While we served on our mission to Hawaii, I was bothered by a tooth that hurt more than usual. I really hated the thought of going to a new dentist. Who wants to go to a dentist other than their own? But I pursued one because I didn't want to worry. There was a dentist located close by where we lived. He was nice and qualified, but referred me to an endodontist. From there, I was referred to an oral surgeon. The surgeon diagnosed the problem. It was my #1 tooth. My wisdom tooth. But so much time had passed that the pain subsided, so I put off making an appointment for an extraction. Days and weeks went by and before we knew it, our mission was over and we were back home. I made an dentist appt. with my own dentist here. And I was happy to hear her diagnosis was the same as the Hawaiian oral surgeon. It was my #1 wisdom tooth. I even had a little conversation with her about why people have wisdom teeth anyway? (I guess, back a few ages ago, people needed wisdom teeth for survival.) she gave me a referral for an oral surgeon and off I went.
I made an appointment with Randy's oral surgeon, since he is currently having work done. So, I bypassed my dentists recommendation. This would be another new Dr. for me, which is not my favorite thing. Last Thursday was my appt. His office was in Queen Creek, where I had never been. It was pouring rain, and I was late because I was lost. Randy offered to drive me. When I walked in, everyone was busy. So I took a seat. Shortly the front desk girl called me and lead me back to a quiet, and spotless room. I took a deep breath. A new doctor.
I heard his voice greeting from the back. He came around and shook my hand. I sized him up carefully. He was courteous, confident, and alert. He made small talk for a minute and then held up my Xray to the light. As he pointed out the tooth to be extracted, I nodded my head as if I knew exactly what a problem Xray looked like. But I was surprised to hear him refer to my problem as being my #3 tooth. How could that be? From 2 previous sources I was certain it was my #1 wisdom tooth. I listened as he ask if I would like a post or a bridge. My tongue slid across my 1st molar and I realized it was indeed closer to the opening of my smile than I imagined. Maybe a post would be better. But why was I making plans for a surgery on a tooth I never planned on? Then he ask if I would like to be sedated during the procedure, or not. I opted to be awake - as long as I am numb. It was about then that my courage kicked in. I explained I had been lead to think my #1 wisdom tooth was the problem; by 2 different dentists. What didn't I understand? He held up the Xray again and pointed out that this Xray plainly shows my # 3 molar. "There is not even an image of your wisdom tooth on this Xray. This is the tooth." He had his evidence. I was confused. He left as I was still stunned. The office girl came in and handed me a form to sign showing I understood the procedure and to mark my initials on 15 items of information. Then, before she handed me the pen, she pointed to a 3 digit total for the procedure. She lead me out after I signed, and lined me up for payment. She could have been referring to the payment of a consultation or the 3 digit payment, it was unclear. Either way, I hardly stopped at the desk before I turned around to her explaining my husband was in the car and I would be right back after I counselled with him before I committed. I knew he would be frazzled at the amount, whatever it was. And before the door closed behind me, I faintly recall hearing her voice to invite him in.
As I stood at the window of the car, my heart raced. I needed to get out of there. I explained it all to Randy and we both agreed I needed to connect with my dentist before I did anything else. So, I walked back in with fortitude. I approached the office girl who was waiting outside the office for me. I explained that I couldn't commit until I spoke with my dentist about the confusion. She quickly motioned for me to come back in and visit with the Dr. one more time. I was shown to the room I had just left. It was currently occupied by a new patient. The embarrassed office girl and a handful of chair side girls who were curious, hung around to get in on the hubbub. They lead me instead to an empty room with a left over chair side girl from the last patient there, who thought she could help if I explained my concern to her first. Just then the Dr. walked back in. I was embarrassed for taking him away from his busy routine schedule, but he stood in front of me again, with a room full of curious workers that thought it was their job to line up behind me to be in on the confusion. I started from the beginning; how it started in Hawaii. I just wanted him to know I had valid reasons to clarify. To question. He held up the Xray again. Then he pulled out his tapping tooth tool. I was to tell him when I felt pain as he tapped each one. No pain. No pain. No pain. There was silence. He had his evidence, but this was MY tooth. Then I explained to him I would get back to him after I visited with my dentist, just to be sure. I was escorted out, leaving a buzz of chair side girls behind me. I wasn't to worry about any payment due today.
We drove home after hashing out all that had happened. I went right to the phone to call my dentist as soon as I walked in the door. Her front office girl was there. I explained who I was and about what had just happened at the oral surgeons office. She grabbed my chart. Her next words were all I needed to hear, "Yes. It's your #1 wisdom tooth." She could have said more, but I had tuned out. I was not crazy. She said she would contact the oral surgeons office for me.
About 2 hours later, and after office hours, my phone rang. I was surprised to hear a woman's voice. She let me know she was the oral surgeon's office manager. I could tell this would be a listening conversation for me. Her words swirled around and around and I was curious where she was going with her call. Then she apologized for "the little mishap" that had happened in their office today. She was cautious as if she thought I might blow up. But I listened. "The Xrays the doctor was reading for you today were someone elses." All I could say was, "Wow." Then she explained that the doctor felt so terribly about this that he would like to offer to do the surgery on the right tooth, complimentary. I was floored. But relieved. My emotions were everywhere, but mostly for the doctor. I had to imagine what had transpired in his office when I left, until they realized the mistake. Somebody. Somehow. He could have lost his whole livelihood if I had been bitter. I wondered if he was counting his blessings or crying all night for fear it would come back to haunt him. I felt for him.
The next morning we left without my phone. I was anxious to get back because I had a feeling my dentist would call. When I got home, sure enough, there was a text from her. She apologized for the confusion I had gone through as she had learned mistakes were made at the surgeon's office. She wanted to know if I would like a different referral. I texted back asking her if she had any doubts that he was a good surgeon. She replied with accolades. "He really is an excellent clinician", she said. She suspected he has a new assistant or administrator who jumbled things. I told her I had already made an appointment with him.
In 2 weeks I am scheduled for surgery at his Gilbert office. If he had had an opening the next day, I would have jumped on it. Now, every day that goes by I recall the confusion. And I begin to question if I am doing the right thing for me. Either way, I still feel for him. But mostly I'm comforted to know that I acted with my heart. Something wasn't right. I knew it. I spoke up without hesitation for me. I am the winner in this no matter what. Once again, I have miraculously dodged another bullet to add to my collection of miracles.
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