Dentist Vicky Samios lists ten patient behaviors that frustrate her profession: showing up late, canceling last-minute, lying about flossing, demanding the dentist drop everything, haggling over fees, refusing x-rays, blaming the dentist for cavities, asking for painkillers repeatedly, ignoring advice, and saying you hate dentists. Each one wastes staff time or compromises care.
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10 things your dentist really hates about you. 1, rocking up late and expecting to be seen. You're not just late for me, you're late for the person after you who now has to wait and gets angry at me. Ever thought about that chain reaction? 2, canceling last minute or not showing up at all. That empty chair, it's not just a seat, it's wages for my staff, rent for the clinic, and wasted time I can never get back. We can't fill a spot last minute, come on. 3, lying about flossing. We can see the plaque, we can see the bleeding. Don't tell us you floss every single day. You want a Hollywood smile by Friday. That's not how biology or dentistry works. You've gotta fix your foundations. So head to your dentist. 4. Can I just speak to the dentist? You rock up or call demanding to be seen right then and there. No, the dentist is not twiddling their thumbs or crocheting in the back or hiding so they will not speak to you. They're helping other patients. And no, we can't just pull time out of thin air. We have the same time as you. No rabbit in a hat tricks. All our patients are important to us. You are too. But we don't tolerate rudeness. 5. Bargaining on price. No, you can't get a discount. This isn't a flea market. You wouldn't haggle with your surgeon while lying on the operating table, so why here? I studied for decades to give you top-tier dentistry and to be quick and precise at what I do. You're not paying for time in the chair, you're paying for expertise, for years of expertise and experience. 6, refusing x-rays or basic treatment or trying to take core things out of a hygiene visit. You asking me to fix your teeth without x-rays is just like asking a pilot to fly blind. I don't have x-ray vision. It's risky for you, it's risky for me. Not doing it. 7, blaming us for your oral health. You didn't brush, you didn't floss, you didn't turn up. But somehow it's all my fault that you have a massive crater or that your tooth is wobbly. Start listening and start taking care of yourself. 8, demanding pain medicines. If you ask for them more than once, I'm already worried. Dentistry is not your backup pharmacy. Head to your GP. Ibuprofen and paracetamol are your go-to for dental pain. Listen up to that. 9, not listening to advice. You come back worse every time and then wonder why things cost more, take longer, and hurt more. This is a partnership. It is teamwork. 10. Saying, "I hate the dentist," the second you sit down. We fake the smile, we swallow the hurt. But let me be real with you, it's cruel. Imagine telling your hairdresser or your surgeon that you hate them before they even start. Dentistry already has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession. You get to tune into more. Visit Vickysamios.com.
