Would you go to a dentist at the mall?

[wambam]

Do you know anyone that has seen this dentist? I would go if I had a recommendation from a current patient.

[delawarejen]

I'd call and see how soon you could get a Saturday appointment. My guess is this guy is booked out for many weeks if not months on Saturdays anyway. That would give you time to research him.

On a side note, have you considered sedation dentistry?

[wambam]

No internet reviews? Don't do it.

[LeggsBenedict]

If I had a phobia and couldn't find reviews, I would not. Since I don't have a phobia, I would go once to check it out and then decide.

[LeggsBenedict]

My dad is going to the dentist in two weeks for the first time since he came back from Vietnam and he had a terrible experience with a VA dentist.

[stephm0188]

Sept 30, 2013 15:03:05 GMT -5 nicbreeful said:

Sept 30, 2013 14:59:12 GMT -5 littleduck said:

Wait, dentists can specialize in high anxiety patients? This is relevant to my life. 

Absolutely.  My favorite dentist had like, heated blankets and iPods filled with calming music (if you didn't have your own), TVs attached to the chair and programmed to Netflix.. they also offered sedation dentistry and air-abrasion dentistry (for those that freak out about drills).  Mine also gives me the gas even if it's just a cleaning.  It helps a lot.

My dentist is similar. Mostly though, the whole staff is just great. There is always someone in the room with me and just chatting about whatever. It's a subtle thing, but it helps. I know that if I was left alone in the chair in an exam room, I would start to get really anxious. I'm sure the hygienist has about twenty other more important things to do than sit there and talk about vacation plans, so the fact that someone is willing to do that for my comfort means a lot.

There have been a few time when I've called for something, and they've been awesome enough to squeeze me in that day whenever possible. Again, because it gives me less time to be anxious about it.

I hate going to the dentist, but I love my dentist.

[Deleted]

Please tell me it's not one if those walk in dental chains found in strip malls. I went to one once because I needed a root canal STAT and it took five fucking hours because the one dentist hopped around from patient to patient. She would give me a shot, go do a cleaning or some shit, and then come back and drill, go do a check up, etc. It was dreadful and I cried like a five year old as soon as I got in my car.

But if it's not of those places, then sure, I'd try it.

[lola]

My dentist is in the basement of Sears. So, yes, yes I would. It's a chain (Dental Works) and I love him and I love everybody that works there.

[WOT?*]

Just to reassure, my dentist is in a strip mall just outside a major mall. I was hugely concerned and even told them "yeah, would you go to a dentist in a mall. I cancelled with another because I was worried they were "mall dentists" since they were in a building in the mall parking lot." There are many, many dentists who practice in mall or strip mall settings in HCOL areas because the rent is cheaper than medical complexes. Both dentists are regularly "best of" in our region, mine has done fillings, a root canal, three crown placements for implants (after extractions and post placement done by a very, very, VERY good oral surgeon they recommended and work with). They have an excellent staff and have done very well by me.

The girls' initial dentist is located in a strip mall in a very upscale community; their former pediatric dentist has moved from a medical building to a place at the mall due to its location, cost, convenience and road frontage for "free advertising" purposes.

DH had his braces done by an orthodontist who opened a practice in a mall in DC and while the guy was an ass who tried to take his mom for extra $$$ when she stood firm on the original quote, his teeth still look quite lovely. The guy did a good job and DH is quite firm that because of his experience both girls are going to have braces as well. (I didn't and have TMJ and clenching, which is why all the subsequent major dental work.)

Two former co-workers swear by a downtown dentist in Seattle who is between a Starbucks and a retail store.

Don't immediately discount the practice. Do the research first.

[snickers]

I know lots of people who go to the dentist in the mall. I wouldn't think that they are any less of a dentist because they rent the space in the mall, it's probably a good spot for advertising, etc. I had a crap dentist as a kid, and that fucker operated out of a professional building (he makes me slightly bitter).