Dentist Unethical or just childish

What is the name of your state? TX

I have been using a dentist for about 5 years and have been in his office about 4-6 times. At first he was great, until he told me the amount of work that I needed. I told him I would like for him to do the work but I had a problem. I am a college student with a wife and two kids trying my best to make ends meet and I could not afford to have all the work done at once. This is where the problems started. He began talking down to me and explained how his time was money. I never asked him for credit I only wanted to space the work out so I could afford it. I thought I could ease the tension by keeping a positive balance with his office, But he contiued to talk down to me. On my last visit I had a tooth that was becomeing absessed. I called the office on a friday and they made an appointment for the following monday at 1:00pm. I arrived at 12:50 and was led to a room where I sat until 2:25. When the dentist walked in he asked if I was ready for him to pull the tooth. I told him that I had not expected him to pull the tooth that day. I thought he would give me some antibiotics and reschedule me for the extraction. Since I had waited so long I no longer had time for the extraction on that day. He then looked at the tooth, told his tech to x-ray it, prescribed me some antibotics and pain medication and walked out of the room. While I was at the receptionist desk he walked up and again explained how his time was money and that he could not afford to waste it on me. I was upset but since I had already paid for the procedure I decided that I would have the tooth pulled and then find another dentist. My appointment was rescheduled for 21 days later. In the meantime I ran out of pain medication so called and asked for a refill. With out any reason I was told no. I took this as another slap in the face. To me he was saying that if I had not wasted his time the tooth would be removed so now I will just have to suffer. This was the last straw. The next day I called and asked for the positive balance. The following day I picked it up and thought that was the end. Then I opened the check and printed on the stub he had written "Decided to go to the drugs" The only other time I asked for a refill was about a year earlyer when the circumstances were exatly the same and he had no problem with a refill. Should I report him and to whom?

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

Have your dentist write to us. I'd be very interested to read his side of this convoluted story.

IAAL

Even if my story was "convoluted" and I was the biggest drug addict in Texas. He should have counseled me or simply refused to treat me. There is one thing that can not be "convoluted" and that is his check stub with the message on it.

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Originally posted by rccooper
Even if my story was "convoluted" and I was the biggest drug addict in Texas. He should have counseled me or simply refused to treat me. There is one thing that can not be "convoluted" and that is his check stub with the message on it.

My response:

Well, I think you might have something there.

Regardless of your predilections towards drugs, his opinion concerning your choices and request for drugs is something only for your medical chart notes in his office, and not on a check for others to see. His check book is NOT to be used for his medical chart on you, nor for his medical opinions.

Therefore, in that regard, and without his side of this story, I would recommend that you report this dentist, and file a complaint with your State's dental board, for his unethical breach of your medical confidentiality.

IAAL