I went to the dentist last week and had the beginning of the root canal done. I have had them done before and this is the first time that I had to go to two visits. So I left Tuesday with the root canal not fully done. I was to come back a week later and they were going to finish. Well Saturday night 4 days later the side of my cheek that I had the work done on was swollen and hot and the worst tooth ache ever. I went right away Monday morning and the dentist informed me that when he was filing a tip of the file broke off and still in my gum, and that I would have to go to a specialist. He had already called the specialist last Tuesday after I left the office because he was reviewing my x-rays and saw the file. Waited to tell me when I came in. So I go to this specialist who is also the dentist college. And he tells me that the infection I have to not from the file. Oh and I have been on penicillin for 2 weeks also at this time. He is saying that I will have to have another root canal on the tooth that is behind it #3. I said no that is not bothering me and I can not afford to have another one done. It is the holidays and I am a single mother that gets no help. Oh but he insisted. I didn't say yes do it I was thinking he was opening up the tooth that was started on that was hurting me. Oh no he did that root canal and then went and opened the tooth that had the file in it. Oh my he hit that file and I came up out of that chair. He is telling me that it is not bothering anything. Well I had this done Monday and I can not smile I have huge hard ball on my check. I can not fit my finger along the side of my teeth and cheek.

is it true that this file will not harm anything? I think my body knows there is a foreign object in there and it is getting all infected.

Any advise would help

Thank you

Anna

So he waited to tell you when you came in?

First, if he knew that a piece of metal was going to or might cause you pain then you had a right to know from the outset that something was wrong. So right there is a violation of one of your human rights. The right to be informed when you have been unnecessarily injured.

He insists despite you telling him you can't afford it? Does he also offer to do the job free. Or does he offer a payment plan which will make payment possible? Or is he simply saying that he thinks you are lying when you say you can't afford it?

He did the root canal on that other tooth despite your instructions that you didn't want it done? Another violation of your human rights.

Is the piece of metal harming anything? What is your body telling you?

Advice: I would try to change doctors if I were you.


http://www.medical-malpractice-attorneys-lawsuits.com/

Excerpt:

Patient Rights

The following list of Patient Rights are assured for each patient. You have the right to be informed about, to consent to, or to refuse the recommended treatment. You have the right to present grievances if you feel you have not been provided the rights identified below:

1. You have the right to be treated with dignity, compassion and respect, with reasonable protection from harm, and with appropriate privacy.

3. You have the right to information concerning your diagnoses, treatments, and prognoses. When concern for your health makes it inadvisable to give such information to you, it will be made available to an individual designated by you or your legally authorized representative.

4. You have the right to be provided with sufficient information to make an informed decision about your medical care.

6. You have the right to refuse treatment. In this event, the patient must be informed of the medical consequences of this action.

7. You have the right to receive from your physician information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and/or treatment, including the medically significant risks involved, and the probable duration of incapacitation.

http://www.las-vegas.med.va.gov/PatientRights.htm

BTW

I would not present grievances either to the doctor involved or any other doctor in his clinic. I would just simply change the doctor and tell the other doctor that his office is more accessible geographically.

Thank you for your advice. No he knows I can not afford it. I qualify for reduce lunches for my son who is 9. This means during x-mas time his name gets put on a list and his name was drawn for Christmas so I had to pick up the presents at the same dentist office. He the dentist who did the work was there and called my name to come get the package and he looked right at me and said try to have a good x-mas. On top of it my son received a purple care bare and a sesame street puzzle. I think they got his presents screwed up. Sorry that had nothing to do with it. But all I could do is laugh. What else could go wrong.

Today I still have the swelling in my check I have called the other dentist that did the work last time and explained to him that I can not chew very well and that there feeling like there is a ball in my upper gum line. It is hard as a rock and hurts. So he told me that the infection is worse than he thought he is sending in another prescription to take on top of the one he gave me Monday. So I will be taking two antibiotics. I can not smile it hurts and the pain killers only work for so long.

No one has mentioned about paying. Knowing my luck I will have to pay for it. I do have insurance at work but it only pays for half of the root canal and does not cover the crown and certain other things. I have a full time job and I have been here for 7 years but I drive 100 miles round trip.

I just want the it out and done with. No one will give me a straight answer if it will affect anything. I get the answer of "Well it shouldn't" that is not an answer to me.

Well thank you for listening to me.

A