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Author Topic: Being Coronated and Disclosing to the Dentist  (Read 3916 times)

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Offline David_CA

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Being Coronated and Disclosing to the Dentist
« on: March 11, 2009, 12:37:40 pm »
Today I had to do one of my favorite things (NOT!) - go to the dentist.  Not only that, I had to have a crown.  I've also been bothered about disclosing my HIV status to them.  The problem is that I've gone to this same practice and seen the same dentist for 25 years.  I've also seen his partner off and on for about 10 years.  My dentist retired sometime last year and a new partner bought into the practice.  He still worked some as an employee, though. 

I know I should have told my status three years ago, but I wasn't sure how he'd react.  I know everybody says if he doesn't like treating pozzies, just screw him and find an new dentist.  It's not that easy - he's an excellent dentist, with a great reputation, has never caused me any pain, plans procedures around my insurance renewal dates to avoid deductibles, etc.  I'd rather have a dentist who didn't like treating HIV+ folks but was as good as he is than risk starting over with a new dentist.  I'm a real pussy when it comes to dentistry.

When the new partner came in, the tech wasn't there, so I thought it would be the perfect time to let her know.  I told here that I wasn't comfortable filling it out on that patient questionnaire sheet that several people handle, but that I thought she should know.  She asked about my health, what meds I was on, and said no problem.  She then thanked me for telling her. 

This was so much easier than I thought it'd be.  The prep work for my crown wasn't bad, either... barely worse than a general cleaning.  Maybe this HIV thing really is getting easier to deal with or the Klonopin I took earlier had kicked in!  Either way, it's nice to know that this milestone has been passed!

David
« Last Edit: March 11, 2009, 05:41:42 pm by David_NC »
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You must be the change you want to see in the world.  Mahatma Gandhi

Offline pozniceguy

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Re: Being Coronated and Disclosing to the Dentist
« Reply #1 on: March 11, 2009, 01:27:09 pm »
David, glad you got that one out of the way..when I found out about my status  in 1994 within 6 months I had an appointment...told the Dentist when I got there  she also said  "no problem" they followed all the rules about sterilizing / using new instruments for all her patients no matter what they put on their record , they all also use the " welders mask"  face shields for all procedures...she was pleased I had told her just because she was concerned for my health...BTW  she stopped using the "salt blaster" machine to clean my teeth and went to the tried and true "scrape and polish" method...she said the other method might prove to be too harsh for gums...
so far all health people have been very professional about disclosure..they don't..not that I know of and this was /is a  small town....so I would have heard by now...

Nick
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Offline John2038

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Re: Being Coronated and Disclosing to the Dentist
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2009, 01:36:33 pm »
That's also what I did.
My dentist just said "Thank You" and was kind as usual.

When I had disclosed my status to her I just told her:

Uhh .. I am HIV+  ;D

I am proud of me doing so each time it should be the case.

So I am glad other did so as well, as you did.

John
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Offline YaKaMein

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Re: Being Coronated and Disclosing to the Dentist
« Reply #3 on: March 11, 2009, 02:24:55 pm »
Glad your experiences have been good ones. ;D It's doesn't seem to be big deal now. It shouldn't be if universal precautions are used as mandated.

I've seen the same dentist for years and have chosen not to disclose unless specifically asked or until it's medically necessary. I do the same for any practicing health care discipline if my complaint is not HIV relevant e.g spraining my foot.

BTW, I must be scraped and polished since the high frequency 'blasting' device causes me extreme pain and i'm lucky to have minimal plaque/tartar creation ... almost time for a 6 month visit.
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Offline keyite

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Re: Being Coronated and Disclosing to the Dentist
« Reply #4 on: March 11, 2009, 03:47:51 pm »
My dentist was fine with it too, but then he's known for being poz friendly. In the discussion we subsequently had he brought up an interesting point; he said he thought it was odd that some dentists freak out about HIV because it rather implied they have no faith in their own ability to follow universal precautions. Hardly projecting professionalism!
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Offline positivmat

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Re: Being Coronated and Disclosing to the Dentist
« Reply #5 on: March 11, 2009, 05:14:48 pm »
Hey,
I can't believe that you posted this.  I had had an appointment with the dentist.  Then, when i was diagnosed with pneumonia on 1/14/09, i canceled the appt.  When i was diagnosed positive, two wks later, i haven't had the nerve to go to my small town dentist and reschedule and tell him.  i will now make time to call him and disclose b4 i go see him.  I was worried about all the people in his office knowing and that it would be a big deal.  Thanks for the story and the courage,
Matt
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Offline RWR

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Re: Being Coronated and Disclosing to the Dentist
« Reply #6 on: March 11, 2009, 05:19:25 pm »
i have been going to the same dentist for years in a small town.  Told Him up front He was fine.  Did have a helper one time while He was drilling pass out on top of Me and hit the drill.  I guess She held Her breath to long.
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Offline David_CA

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Re: Being Coronated and Disclosing to the Dentist
« Reply #7 on: March 11, 2009, 05:39:20 pm »
Quote from: positivmat on March 11, 2009, 05:14:48 pm
Hey,
I can't believe that you posted this.  I had had an appointment with the dentist.  Then, when i was diagnosed with pneumonia on 1/14/09, i canceled the appt.  When i was diagnosed positive, two wks later, i haven't had the nerve to go to my small town dentist and reschedule and tell him.  i will now make time to call him and disclose b4 i go see him.  I was worried about all the people in his office knowing and that it would be a big deal.  Thanks for the story and the courage,
Matt

Good idea.  I'm glad my post helped somebody in some way.  I also didn't disclose on the info form back when I had surgery on my finger (summer '06), but I had hardly adjusted to my new status at that point.  Plus, one of my neighbors works at the front desk in that office!  I waited 'til I was in the room with the PA and told her directly.  She noted it in my records.  Sure, it's there for others to see, but they'd have to go looking for it instead of me writing it on that damned form and handing it to the receptionist at the counter!

David
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06-01-06 CD4 462 @24.3% VL > 100,000
08-15-06 CD4 388 @22.8% VL >  "
10-21-06 CD4 285 @21.9% VL >  "
  Atripla started 12-01-2006
01-08-07 CD4 429 @26.8% VL 1872!
05-08-07 CD4 478 @28.1% VL 740
08-03-07 CD4 509 @31.8% VL 370
11-06-07 CD4 570 @30.0% VL 140
02-21-08 CD4 648 @32.4% VL 600
05-19-08 CD4 695 @33.1% VL < 48 undetectable!
08-21-08 CD4 725 @34.5%
11-11-08 CD4 672 @39.5%
02-11-09 CD4 773 @36.8%
05-11-09 CD4 615 @36.2%
08-19-09 CD4 770 @38.5%
11-19-09 CD4 944 @33.7%
02-17-10 CD4 678 @39.9%  
06-03-10 CD4 768 @34.9%
09-21-10 CD4 685 @40.3%
01-10-11 CD4 908 @36.3%
05-23-11 CD4 846 @36.8% VL 80
02-13-12 CD4 911 @41.4% VL<20
You must be the change you want to see in the world.  Mahatma Gandhi

Offline jayjax

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Re: Being Coronated and Disclosing to the Dentist
« Reply #8 on: March 11, 2009, 06:36:01 pm »
David

Glad you posted this.  Just recently diagnosed, I've also had dental work done.  This was the first thing I did.  I asked if I could speak to him in private before we started and notified him then.  He said it was no big deal and thanked me for telling him.

Realize how hard it is, every medical dr or dentist I've notified thanked me and told me not to worry.  So far I have been very happy disclosing my status with the medical community (keeping my fingers crossed).

jayjax
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Offline mjmel

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Re: Being Coronated and Disclosing to the Dentist
« Reply #9 on: March 11, 2009, 07:48:14 pm »
Got coronated and showed you got-a-pair.
Good deal, then.
 ;D
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Offline AlanBama

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Re: Being Coronated and Disclosing to the Dentist
« Reply #10 on: March 11, 2009, 08:00:57 pm »
Good job, Your "Heiny-ness"   ;)
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Offline HollyStar

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Re: Being Coronated and Disclosing to the Dentist
« Reply #11 on: March 12, 2009, 12:03:47 am »
I'm glad that things went fine for you. I don't mind too much about disclosing to dentists and doctors. But I'm not sure if receptionists and assistants are bound by the same patient doctor confidentiality agreement.

The last time I went to the dentist was for a cleaning. I salivate a lot and needed to cough. It was a small cough but I ended up spraying blood and spit on his mask. They never called me to remind me of my next appointment either. I'm sure it was an accident!?
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Offline BlueMoon

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Re: Being Coronated and Disclosing to the Dentist
« Reply #12 on: March 12, 2009, 07:57:59 am »
I had a crown done last year, a few months after diagnosis.  It took a few tries to get right but it's working out now.

I had been seeing the same dentist for twenty years, and he treats some of my family also (who don't know of my HIV), and I told him at the first visit after diagnosis.  He didn't react at all and said that he treats all patients the same.  I assume he means in the clinical sense, i.e. safely.  I think he mentioned he has other HIV+ patients.

Later after he'd looked inside, I asked him to tell me if he saw anything that might be HIV-related, and he said he'd already checked and I looked good.  So now a trip to the dentist is a two in one value, because I know he's also checking for anything HIV-related.

And I think the next time I go I'll mention the tenofovir and ask about potential problems with that.
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