Is your orthodontist willing to talk about your teeth?

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#16 Post by **Sandpiper** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 12:09 pm

My ortho is excellent, time permitting. He will frequently draw sketches of what he is doing, and what he is trying to achieve. I'm a civil engineer, and sometimes he tries to relate the procedures to construction techniques, which is quite hilarious! All in all we have a good relationship.

#17 Post by **VA5** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 9:27 pm

rolo wrote:As someone who works in healthcare (although not dentistry) there is variation in how much patients want to know, some like me want lots of information others don't, sometimes this is hard to gauge, so maybe they are just not used to people wanting information...although it is good practice in medicine, at least, to give patients an opportunity to ask questions at each appointment and from a business point of view, in harder economic times its essential to have a good repution.

I agree.. but really it's just basic information. A doctor isn't going to prescribe me a drug without telling me basically what it's for. I don't care to hear a 5 minute explanation on exactly how the medicine changes what's going on in my body, etc.. I just want to know what it's for. So, if my ortho changes something, then I just want a simple explanation what something is for. "We're going to put a new powerchain on, because, blah blah blah".

#18 Post by **fosterp** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 10:38 pm

The doctors tell you what medicine is for and how to use it because they are legally required to.

Just FYI

#19 Post by **VA5** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 10:53 pm

fosterp wrote:The doctors tell you what medicine is for and how to use it because they are legally required to.

Just FYI

Well my point is, it's not hard to just describe what they are doing. If they draw your blood, they're not just going to say, okay, let me draw your blood. They will tell you why. Just insert anything a doctor would do, they're not going to do something to you, physically, without telling you what they are doing.

#20 Post by **goodteethby2013** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 9:16 pm

Thanks for all your responses, especially Dr. Kim's. I agree with the time constraint response, I'm sure that's a factor. My ortho is simply not a good communicator, and its frustrating when he literally shushes me while I'm trying to ask a question. And I am not asking for more explanation than normal, but for example when he's screwing a TAD into my jaw that failed once already, I want to know what the approach is the second time. I have thought about switching, but want to just stick it out and be done (eventually, I still have another 17 estimated months). Anyway, thanks for letting me vent on this board and I'm glad I'm not totally alone in terms of frustration with communication.

#21 Post by **goodteethby2013** » Fri Nov 12, 2010 9:29 pm

whoops - I mean thanks Dr. Tam! (I think I merged your middle initial into your last name - my apologies!)

#22 Post by **BraceFace2o1o** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 10:54 am

I am obviously not that far into treatment yet, but have seen my Ortho for 2 consults, spacers, cleaning and another visit and each time he's explained everything.

He's also just been very helpful in general, to be honest. I hope this continues throughout treatment!

#23 Post by **cocomecrazy** » Mon Nov 15, 2010 4:23 am

Sandpiper wrote:My ortho is excellent, time permitting. He will frequently draw sketches of what he is doing, and what he is trying to achieve. I'm a civil engineer, and sometimes he tries to relate the procedures to construction techniques, which is quite hilarious! All in all we have a good relationship.

I like your orthodontist. He sounds pretty awesome
Oh snap you live in UK
I live in California

#24 Post by **GeenBug** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 6:58 pm

VA5 wrote:See that's the thing... I don't expect my ortho to elaborate on things. I just want a simple "this is what I think happened since last visit. and this is what I hope to accomplish with this visit." I don't think that really takes that much time, or communication skill.

I agree.

#25 Post by **danz23** » Sun Nov 21, 2010 2:14 am

This topic has always interested me. I have been to two different offices for treatment and at my current one have seen a few different orthodontists. While all of them have been friendly, all but the first haven't really offered any technical info, just said stuff like oh yes thats looking good etc (to me). I listen to what she and the assistant are saying to each other and look up anything I'm unsure of on here. I am pretty quiet tho and don't tend to ask that much. So it is my fault mostly! I do think though they kind of assume sometimes that we aren't as interested as we are (we as in the people on archwired.com mostly!). And that could be because they see a lot of kids, and if half of the ones I see in there are anything to go by A LOT of them dont wanna be there. They may like the idea of having straight teeth, but aren't that interested in how it happens. Maybe I'm wrong to say that but thats how it seems! Even the older people that I have known that have had treatment didn't seem to know much about braces. I also think they are more willing to share info if you show them you know a bit. My first ortho was quite impressed with how much I'd learnt myself. They should all be told about this site!

#26 Post by **Spurfy** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 7:05 am

My two kids go to my orthodontist as well, and if I am back there when they're getting adjusted the doctor will tell me what he's doing and why and I understand. He just talks to me while he's working. However, when they're doing my mouth they never say anything unless I ask, and I can't ask because they've got their fingers in my mouth!

Once in a while I'll say something like "why are you putting on the powerchain" and I'll get a good answer from the assistant, but sometimes I don't ask and I don't understand what's going on.

He is exceptionally busy. It seems like every orthodontist in the valley has more patients than he can handle.