Reid Elattrache

Dear MsPalmer Edwards, After practicing for years without any legal disputes, numerous "Top Dentist" awards as voted by my peers and only a very very rare unsatisfied patient I'm sure I understand anxietyI take treating patients that are fearful, nerveous and apprehensive very serious It's a great way to show kindness and in some ways the appreciation to them for allowing me to participate in their dental care needs Myself and staff are dedicated to working with our patients to make their treatment as stress free as possibleWe fully understand treatment of patients isn't a one-size-fits-all propositionWe also understand treatment of apprehensive patients requires extra time to allay fears, answer questions and perform treatment Prior to scheduling the patient for the retreatment of a previous root canal therapy (RCT) the patient was seen for a consultation and evaluation appointmentAt that time an assessment of the patient's medical and dental history was reviewed, a clinical and radiographic exam was completed, a diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan was presented along with a period for the patient to ask questionsThe patient seemed well informed of her situation and what was suggested in terms of treatmentShe had been seen or had spoken to at least three other dentists regarding her conditionDue to the patient reported anxiety regarding her dental treatment I prescribed an anti-anxiety medication to be taken prior to her next dental appointment The person that filed this complaint acknowleged that she had taken two tablets of the premedication for her anxiety (tabs of 0.125mg triazolam) before her appointmentRecognizing that this medication alters a persons mood and perception we didn't take any offense to the patient's actions or comments until she became personally insulting and demanding following her actual treatmentThe patient became irrate when I decided to stop treatment for the day after 1hr and 40mins of what she was told to be a 2hr appointmentAt no time at either her treatment appointment or her consultation appointment did I make a promise to complete her case in one 2hr appointmentI can not and could not ever make that promise In my judgement the difficulty of the case, the way the patient exhibited signs of discomfort to staying open (rubbing her jaw), her fidgeting in the chair, looking at her watch every few minutes, her inclination to keep talking with the rubber dam on and the possibility that her anesthetic could soon be wearing off lead me to believe that it would be best to reappoint the patient to complete the caseWe had made slow but significant head-way in resolving the issues associated with her failing root canal therapyOne of which was finding a previuosly undiscovered root canal and cleaning it outAt the next appointment I had hoped that the anti-anxiety medication would produce a more relaxing experience now that the famililarity of the environment and the non-treatening nature of the procedure was assessed by the patient The situation took an unfortunate turn when the patient accused me of being so mean and rude to her because of a vendetta that I had for her fatherAt first I thought that comment may have been a joke on her partI had know idea who her father was nor had I ever recalled meeting himI mentioned the same to herThen she asked me if I had ever been divorced as a posssible motive for treating her so badlyAt that time I informed the patient that I would be happy to help her find another dentist to complete her case and that I would be dismissing her from my practiceShe declined my offer to help her arrange a specialist to take over her caseI mentioned a few names to her but again she declined my offer to find her a specialist At the completion of her appointment there was no swelling, drainage, or pain reportedThe tooth was temporized and in stable conditionI informed her that she should not delay in getting seen but I would no longer treat her Very truly yours,Reid E [redacted] DMD

Dear MsPalmer Edwards, After practicing for years without any legal disputes, numerous "Top Dentist" awards as voted by my peers and only a very very rare unsatisfied patient I'm sure I understand anxietyI take treating patients that are fearful, nerveous and apprehensive very seriousIt's a great way to show kindness and in some ways the appreciation to them for allowing me to participate in their dental care needs Myself and staff are dedicated to working with our patients to make their treatment as stress free as possibleWe fully understand treatment of patients isn't a one-size-fits-all propositionWe also understand treatment of apprehensive patients requires extra time to allay fears, answer questions and perform treatment Prior to scheduling the patient for the retreatment of a previous root canal therapy (RCT) the patient was seen for a consultation and evaluation appointmentAt that time an assessment of the patient's medical and dental history was reviewed, a clinical and radiographic exam was completed, a diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan was presented along with a period for the patient to ask questionsThe patient seemed well informed of her situation and what was suggested in terms of treatmentShe had been seen or had spoken to at least three other dentists regarding her conditionDue to the patient reported anxiety regarding her dental treatment I prescribed an anti-anxiety medication to be taken prior to her next dental appointment The person that filed this complaint acknowleged that she had taken two tablets of the premedication for her anxiety (tabs of 0.125mg triazolam) before her appointmentRecognizing that this medication alters a persons mood and perception we didn't take any offense to the patient's actions or comments until she became personally insulting and demanding following her actual treatmentThe patient became irrate when I decided to stop treatment for the day after 1hr and 40mins of what she was told to be a 2hr appointmentAt no time at either her treatment appointment or her consultation appointment did I make a promise to complete her case in one 2hr appointmentI can not and could not ever make that promise In my judgement the difficulty of the case, the way the patient exhibited signs of discomfort to staying open (rubbing her jaw), her fidgeting in the chair, looking at her watch every few minutes, her inclination to keep talking with the rubber dam on and the possibility that her anesthetic could soon be wearing off lead me to believe that it would be best to reappoint the patient to complete the caseWe had made slow but significant head-way in resolving the issues associated with her failing root canal therapyOne of which was finding a previuosly undiscovered root canal and cleaning it outAt the next appointment I had hoped that the anti-anxiety medication would produce a more relaxing experience now that the famililarity of the environment and the non-treatening nature of the procedure was assessed by the patient The situation took an unfortunate turn when the patient accused me of being so mean and rude to her because of a vendetta that I had for her fatherAt first I thought that comment may have been a joke on her partI had know idea who her father was nor had I ever recalled meeting himI mentioned the same to herThen she asked me if I had ever been divorced as a posssible motive for treating her so badlyAt that time I informed the patient that I would be happy to help her find another dentist to complete her case and that I would be dismissing her from my practiceShe declined my offer to help her arrange a specialist to take over her caseI mentioned a few names to her but again she declined my offer to find her a specialist At the completion of her appointment there was no swelling, drainage, or pain reportedThe tooth was temporized and in stable conditionI informed her that she should not delay in getting seen but I would no longer treat her Very truly yours,Reid E [redacted] DMD

Dear Ms. Palmer Edwards,
font-family: arial, sans-serif;">  After practicing for 23 years without any legal disputes, numerous "Top Dentist" awards as voted by my peers and only a very very rare unsatisfied patient I'm sure I understand anxiety. I take treating patients that are fearful, nerveous and apprehensive very serious. It's a great way to show kindness and in some ways the appreciation to them for allowing me to participate in their dental care needs.  Myself and staff are dedicated to working with our patients to make their treatment as stress free as possible. We fully understand treatment of patients isn't a one-size-fits-all proposition. We also understand treatment of apprehensive patients requires extra time to allay fears, answer questions and perform treatment.  Prior to scheduling the patient for the retreatment of a previous root canal therapy (RCT) the patient was seen for a consultation and evaluation appointment. At that time an assessment of the patient's medical and dental history was reviewed, a clinical and radiographic exam was completed, a diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan was presented along with a period for the patient to ask questions. The patient seemed well informed of her situation and what was suggested in terms of treatment. She had been seen or had spoken to at least three other dentists regarding her condition. Due to the patient reported anxiety regarding her dental treatment I prescribed an anti-anxiety medication to be taken prior to her next dental appointment.  The person that filed this complaint acknowleged that she had taken two tablets of the premedication for her anxiety (2 tabs of 0.125mg triazolam) before her appointment. Recognizing that this medication alters a persons mood and perception we didn't take any offense to the patient's actions or comments until she became personally insulting and demanding following her actual treatment. The patient became irrate when I decided to stop treatment for the day after 1hr and 40mins of what she was told to be a 2hr appointment. At no time at either her treatment appointment or her consultation appointment did I make a promise to complete her case in one 2hr appointment. I can not and could not ever make that promise.  In my judgement the difficulty of the case, the way the patient exhibited signs of discomfort to staying open (rubbing her jaw), her fidgeting in the chair, looking at her watch every few minutes, her inclination to keep talking with the rubber dam on and the possibility that her anesthetic could soon be wearing off lead me to believe that it would be best to reappoint the patient to complete the case. We had made slow but significant head-way in resolving the issues associated with her failing root canal therapy. One of which was finding a previuosly undiscovered root canal and cleaning it out. At the next appointment I had hoped that the anti-anxiety medication would produce a more relaxing experience now that the famililarity of the environment and the non-treatening nature of the procedure was assessed by the patient.  The situation took an unfortunate turn when the patient accused me of being so mean and rude to her because of a vendetta that I had for her father. At first I thought that comment may have been a joke on her part. I had know idea who her father was nor had I ever recalled meeting him. I mentioned the same to her. Then she asked me if I had ever been divorced as a posssible motive for treating her so badly. At that time I informed the patient that I would be happy to help her find another dentist to complete her case and that I would be dismissing her from my practice. She declined my offer to help her arrange a specialist to take over her case. I mentioned a few names to her but again she declined my offer to find her a specialist.  At the completion of her appointment there was no swelling, drainage, or pain reported. The tooth was temporized and in stable condition. I informed her that she should not delay in getting seen but I would no longer treat her.  Very truly yours,Reid E[redacted] DMD

Dear Ms. Palmer Edwards,  After practicing for 23 years without any legal disputes, numerous "Top Dentist" awards as voted by my peers and only a very very rare unsatisfied patient I'm sure I understand anxiety. I take treating patients that are fearful, nerveous and apprehensive very serious....

It's a great way to show kindness and in some ways the appreciation to them for allowing me to participate in their dental care needs.  Myself and staff are dedicated to working with our patients to make their treatment as stress free as possible. We fully understand treatment of patients isn't a one-size-fits-all proposition. We also understand treatment of apprehensive patients requires extra time to allay fears, answer questions and perform treatment.  Prior to scheduling the patient for the retreatment of a previous root canal therapy (RCT) the patient was seen for a consultation and evaluation appointment. At that time an assessment of the patient's medical and dental history was reviewed, a clinical and radiographic exam was completed, a diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan was presented along with a period for the patient to ask questions. The patient seemed well informed of her situation and what was suggested in terms of treatment. She had been seen or had spoken to at least three other dentists regarding her condition. Due to the patient reported anxiety regarding her dental treatment I prescribed an anti-anxiety medication to be taken prior to her next dental appointment.  The person that filed this complaint acknowleged that she had taken two tablets of the premedication for her anxiety (2 tabs of 0.125mg triazolam) before her appointment. Recognizing that this medication alters a persons mood and perception we didn't take any offense to the patient's actions or comments until she became personally insulting and demanding following her actual treatment. The patient became irrate when I decided to stop treatment for the day after 1hr and 40mins of what she was told to be a 2hr appointment. At no time at either her treatment appointment or her consultation appointment did I make a promise to complete her case in one 2hr appointment. I can not and could not ever make that promise.  In my judgement the difficulty of the case, the way the patient exhibited signs of discomfort to staying open (rubbing her jaw), her fidgeting in the chair, looking at her watch every few minutes, her inclination to keep talking with the rubber dam on and the possibility that her anesthetic could soon be wearing off lead me to believe that it would be best to reappoint the patient to complete the case. We had made slow but significant head-way in resolving the issues associated with her failing root canal therapy. One of which was finding a previuosly undiscovered root canal and cleaning it out. At the next appointment I had hoped that the anti-anxiety medication would produce a more relaxing experience now that the famililarity of the environment and the non-treatening nature of the procedure was assessed by the patient.  The situation took an unfortunate turn when the patient accused me of being so mean and rude to her because of a vendetta that I had for her father. At first I thought that comment may have been a joke on her part. I had know idea who her father was nor had I ever recalled meeting him. I mentioned the same to her. Then she asked me if I had ever been divorced as a posssible motive for treating her so badly. At that time I informed the patient that I would be happy to help her find another dentist to complete her case and that I would be dismissing her from my practice. She declined my offer to help her arrange a specialist to take over her case. I mentioned a few names to her but again she declined my offer to find her a specialist.  At the completion of her appointment there was no swelling, drainage, or pain reported. The tooth was temporized and in stable condition. I informed her that she should not delay in getting seen but I would no longer treat her.  Very truly yours,Reid E[redacted] DMD

Review: I had the most horrible experience and treatment that I have ever experienced at a doctors office. I was super scared to get my root canal redone. Before we started I tried to ask as many questions as I could. During the procedure he left me in my chair to take care of another patient. Once he came back I was even more nervous and heard him say that my mouth/jaw is too small to work in. So, I was even more nervous and wanted to ask him a question. At which time I had a dental dam and an expander in my mouth. He immediately got defensive that I would dare question him. He and his assistant ganged up on me and refused to finish what he started. I am left with a tooth that needs two more treatments or maybe it needs to be pulled and I have no idea what to do next. I was also left with a possible infection, pain and no idea of how to follow up on the gaping hole left in my tooth 15. He made no referrals or recommendations of what I should do.Dr. Reid S. E[redacted] D.M.D. and his assistant treated me with so much disrespect and lack of concern. He even had the audacity to criticize the dentist who I have gone to for the past 10 years. He jested that a dentist should know his place and not attempt something as challenging as a root canal. However, what I experienced today was this Endodontist having a difficult time with my small mouth and complicated teeth that have hooked roots and blaming it on me because I asked a question about this procedure. As I left in frightened and in pain he told me he was going to charge for a consult. I do not believe he did not harm me.Desired Settlement: I also do not believe he should be able to charge for a procedure/consult when I was left in pain, a gaping hole and no advice as to what to do to rectify my situation. I am also writing to keep this on file in case anyone else has a similar experience.

Business

Response:

Dear Ms. Palmer Edwards, After practicing for 23 years without any legal disputes, numerous "Top Dentist" awards as voted by my peers and only a very very rare unsatisfied patient I'm sure I understand anxiety. I take treating patients that are fearful, nerveous and apprehensive very serious. It's a great way to show kindness and in some ways the appreciation to them for allowing me to participate in their dental care needs. Myself and staff are dedicated to working with our patients to make their treatment as stress free as possible. We fully understand treatment of patients isn't a one-size-fits-all proposition. We also understand treatment of apprehensive patients requires extra time to allay fears, answer questions and perform treatment. Prior to scheduling the patient for the retreatment of a previous root canal therapy (RCT) the patient was seen for a consultation and evaluation appointment. At that time an assessment of the patient's medical and dental history was reviewed, a clinical and radiographic exam was completed, a diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan was presented along with a period for the patient to ask questions. The patient seemed well informed of her situation and what was suggested in terms of treatment. She had been seen or had spoken to at least three other dentists regarding her condition. Due to the patient reported anxiety regarding her dental treatment I prescribed an anti-anxiety medication to be taken prior to her next dental appointment. The person that filed this complaint acknowleged that she had taken two tablets of the premedication for her anxiety (2 tabs of 0.125mg triazolam) before her appointment. Recognizing that this medication alters a persons mood and perception we didn't take any offense to the patient's actions or comments until she became personally insulting and demanding following her actual treatment. The patient became irrate when I decided to stop treatment for the day after 1hr and 40mins of what she was told to be a 2hr appointment. At no time at either her treatment appointment or her consultation appointment did I make a promise to complete her case in one 2hr appointment. I can not and could not ever make that promise. In my judgement the difficulty of the case, the way the patient exhibited signs of discomfort to staying open (rubbing her jaw), her fidgeting in the chair, looking at her watch every few minutes, her inclination to keep talking with the rubber dam on and the possibility that her anesthetic could soon be wearing off lead me to believe that it would be best to reappoint the patient to complete the case. We had made slow but significant head-way in resolving the issues associated with her failing root canal therapy. One of which was finding a previuosly undiscovered root canal and cleaning it out. At the next appointment I had hoped that the anti-anxiety medication would produce a more relaxing experience now that the famililarity of the environment and the non-treatening nature of the procedure was assessed by the patient. The situation took an unfortunate turn when the patient accused me of being so mean and rude to her because of a vendetta that I had for her father. At first I thought that comment may have been a joke on her part. I had know idea who her father was nor had I ever recalled meeting him. I mentioned the same to her. Then she asked me if I had ever been divorced as a posssible motive for treating her so badly. At that time I informed the patient that I would be happy to help her find another dentist to complete her case and that I would be dismissing her from my practice. She declined my offer to help her arrange a specialist to take over her case. I mentioned a few names to her but again she declined my offer to find her a specialist. At the completion of her appointment there was no swelling, drainage, or pain reported. The tooth was temporized and in stable condition. I informed her that she should not delay in getting seen but I would no longer treat her. Very truly yours,Reid E[redacted] DMD