POZ Community Forums

Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: keyite on April 23, 2007, 04:14:25 pm

Title: Visit to the dentist
Post by: keyite on April 23, 2007, 04:14:25 pm

Went for a checkup with the dentist today, first one since diagnosis. He's gay too and I'd already heard on the grapevine that he was likely to be cool with pozzies. Still, I felt a little apprehensive: disclosure still feels like a big deal. But I told him and he burst out "that's no problem!". He then looked mortified and said "no, no, I don't mean it's unimportant news, just that it makes no difference to your treatment here". I just laughed and told him I knew straight away what he'd meant.

For once disclosure actually felt quite empowering and unproblematic (and pleased to report teeth were okay too...) :)

Title: Re: Visit to the dentist
Post by: milker on April 23, 2007, 04:26:12 pm

lol it's great that everything is okay with your dentist, it's very important that you feel comfortable with a care provider, and it was an important decision to disclose, so congrats for your good job, and your good teeth !  ;D

Milker.

Title: Re: Visit to the dentist
Post by: Miss Philicia on April 23, 2007, 04:40:38 pm

I've always found a dentist very comfortable with HIV by getting referrals from my ID doctor.  If one lives in a largish city I doubt it should be much of an issue.

Anyway, all dentists should be assuming all of their patients have HIV anyway if they're following recommended procedures.

Title: Re: Visit to the dentist
Post by: SASA39 on April 24, 2007, 10:00:41 am

I was having a hard time trying to find one for my self.And at last through my female GP i have founded one : she is female too and I was amazed by her aproach.She did not even wear a gloves , saying to me :
"If everything was corectly done before I do not have to be afraid from anything "
everything was over for about 15 ` she let me go with some advices :
" Rub your dental plaque because it might provoke nasty infections"
"Come to see me whenever you want"
"And you`re doing fine "
I was amazed ! What a woman !
                                            Al

Title: Re: Visit to the dentist
Post by: RapidRod on April 24, 2007, 10:32:17 am

SASA39, there is no one going to mess with my mouth without having their hands gloved. That's just not acceptable.

Title: Re: Visit to the dentist
Post by: SASA39 on April 24, 2007, 10:39:18 am

I was just tring to say that she did not give a **** , am I infected or not.And she was not puting any of her hands into my mouths.
Did everything with instruments.

Title: Re: Visit to the dentist
Post by: racingmind on April 24, 2007, 10:55:54 am

I'm not sure I would be too confident in a dentist that would not wear gloves...even to make a point that they "don't care".  That's just stupid.

Title: Re: Visit to the dentist
Post by: SASA39 on April 24, 2007, 10:57:01 am

Beter some than none.But she is good!