Tongue n' Cheek

Forget, “you might be a redneck.” The Townies share their red-flag patient stories.

You might be a red-flag patient if:

“...you come into the office to get all the work you need done before your insurance runs out in 11 days.” ––2thsmart

“…after three years of SRPs [scaling and root planing], three-month periodontal maintenance appointments, and referrals to periodontists, you dare to say to your hygienist, ‘What, I have gum disease?’”––Annekerdh

“…you tell me you haven’t brushed your teeth today because you wanted your money’s worth.”––Yangel

“…you are talking on your cell phone, checking and sending e-mails with your Blackberry the minute you enter the dental practice.”––Toothbud05

“…your mom takes you to Burger World right before your appointment and allows you to eat cheesy fries while sitting in the waiting room.”––Toothbud05

“…you bring your four children in for back-to-back prophy appointments and bring a bag of Cheetos for the others to eat while they are waiting!” ––LeeannRDHBS

“…you think you are going to get your teeth cleaned in an hour when you have not been to the dentist in 20 years.”––668Whaley

“…you are a 30-plus-year-old and your chart has in big red letters: ‘Patient afraid of gauze.’”––Aerikaj

“…you tell me the new crown is setting off store security sensors...then a year later you figured out it was the theft prevention sensor left behind in the wallet your son gave you at Christmas!”––AimeeRDH

“...you call up the office ‘cause you are in severe pain and need to be seen right away. A 9:30 a.m. appointment is offered, but that doesn’t work for you because you can’t come in until after 4 p.m.”––Amybethrdh