XP: New Dentist...Should I run the other way?!?

emilykathleen511

So, I've been having a toothache for a few weeks now, and everything that I have read online as well as when I asked my midwife about it said that this needs to be taken care of while pregnant as infections in the mouth can cause pre-term labor. I also read that there are only a few things (dental procedure-wise) that shouldn't be done during pregnancy and dentists should know what they are.

I don't have a dentist currently, so I checked into what providers are covered by my insurance. I called one and made an appt. and mentioned that I have a toothache and that I am pregnant. She said okay. We hung up.

I then get a call back saying that they need a doctor's note in order to even see me while pregnant. I replied, "Well, is it okay that it's from my midwife; I don't have a doctor." She said she would need to check and call back. I get a message saying that the dentist refuses to see anyone pregnant without a note from a doctor.

I DO have a doctor, but not for my pregnancy, so maybe I could ask him if he would fax over a note? I have seen him all of one time while pregnant, and the whole time he kept saying how I would need an OB in addition to my midwife. I basically smiled and nodded and ignored him. So who knows if he would even do it. But, now I'm questioning if I should even go with this dental practice at all. It seems really ridiculous to me and I would love some outside opinions.

ForeverEverAfter

To me, that sounds ridiculous. I just had my first appt with a new dentist, and other than the hygienist only half reclining the chair so I wouldn't be on my back, there was nothing different. The dentist joked around about getting two new patients, but was obviously comfortable with seeing a pregnant patient. I only had gingivitis issues though. Maybe this dentist is worried you could require a procedure not recommended in pregnancy, but it sounds very odd to me. I would call another practice covered by your insurance and see if they have the same requirement.

pepomntpat

This is silly. I don't know if I'd run exactly, but I'd take a note from your MW, say she is your medical provider and is licensed to treat pregnant women and that is that. 

What exactly is the purpose of the note? To confirm pregnancy? To confirm pregnancy conditions?  

maggielw

I have never posted on this board before, but I work at a dental clinic. We do have to have a dental clearance from an OB or midwife in order to treat a pregnant woman. It is basically just a letter saying if x-rays are ok, which anesthesia is appropriate for you, recommended pain killers/antibiotics etc. Since pregnancy is pre-existing a medical condition to your dentist, they must get clearance from your medical provider, kinda a CYA thing. 

So it is not strange to be asked for dental clearance, but it is strange that they will not accept one from a midwife. I bet it is just the first time it has come up, and the dentist doesn't know what to do. I have worked in this same office for 7 years with tons of pregnant women (there's an OB in the same building) and only once have we had someone who was only seeing a midwife.

Good luck, and I hope that was somewhat helpful. 

nosoup4u

Is she a CNM? Most of them work in conjunction with an OB, it should be pretty easy to get a note from a doctor who she works with.

I think it's a legal issue? In terms of medication or something happening, I think. Though I did have a (male) dentist tell me I would have to pump-n-dump if I was ever given novocaine while still nursing, which isn't really necessary.

 

annabelle.27

That's bizarre. I would go somewhere else. I went to the dentist when I was very noticeably pregnant and the only thing that they seemed to do differently was steer me clear of the x-ray room.

Besides- dentists ARE doctors, in the sense that they are supposed to be the experts in the dental field. What does he want a doctor's note for? Is an MD supposed to be more familiar with what you can and can't do when pregnant at the dentist's? Is this not covered in dental school?

Yeah. I would go elsewhere.

frlcb

This is not unusual, and I would take in the note from the midwife, and get it taken care of. I had to have a root canal when I was pregnant and I had to have a note from my midwife, and they had to approve which meds I could take for it. I don't think anyone needs to be up in arms over this - assuming they have no issue with the note from the midwife. It is possible the dentist didn't understand what the nurse told him about the midwife vs doctor, so just get the note from the midwife and go in.

frlcb

And I had to have x-rays for my root canal, they just covered me with three of thse heavy blankets, all on my stomach, and did it as quickly as possible.

BLPL101

I went to the dentist last month and they didn't ask me for a note or anything like that. The only thing they did different is no x-rays.

Dman85

I'm going to second what Begonipaz said. I also am dental assistant and when I worked in a general practice we would get clearance just to be extra cautious and keep on file with the medical history if a certain procedure was needed. People are extremely sue happy these days too, so just an added precaution at the practice I worked for as well.

Temp76535187505890

I don't think it's cause for concern. At most I think I'd be miffed the office staff isn't more practiced in what is or is not required. And I wouldn't seek out a note beyond one signed by my midwife.

With my first child, my doctor/mid wife's office gave a dental note to all patients as a standard practice.

mrsodonnell12

That is ridiculous. I work at a dental office and we have never required a doctors note to see a pregnant patient. If we need to do an Rx we always call the OB/Midwife, but never to see a patient or even do simple procedures.