Should I find a new vet for Augie? *WARNING! LONG RANT*
- Thread starter SubrosaX
- Start date
My dentist has 2 hygienists who come in on special days .... they do an excellent job and free up the dentist , therefore allowing him to see more patients and he can keep his costs down . After the cleaning he checks and off I go ! BTW... going 30 years without a teeth cleaning boggles my mind !! It's not only for plaque , but for the gums .
Umm no you don't. For the most part a tooth cleaning is factored in as to be done by a tech. If we all wanted dentists to clean our teeth (and as I stated I would rather have the person with more qualifications do so for my $ which would be the tech) the cost would be more.
I had a discussion about this with my dental clinic once.
I had a discussion about this with my dental clinic once.
and this thread was about dentistry how??
bjdobson
Well I have many friends who are DH and my grandfather was a dentist. I talk to people.. I have looked over what schooling you get if you want to be a DH and how many hours are spent where and how much is hands on etc..
If you would like I can put you in touch with some colleges and universities and you can check out where their hours of education come from.
If your dentist wants too and you are ok with that.. go for it. But to say that a well trained DH is going to give you a lesser job is insulting and a bit silly.
Of course I'm in the US and not Canada, but in the US, if you see a nurse/nurse practicioner or a dental hygenist, you pay the rates of a nurse/nurse practicioner and dental hygenist. You do not pay a doctor's rate or a dentist's rate for those services provided to you by other.
In fact, that's why nurse practicioners and physicians assistants and dental hygenists and the like are in demand...because it's cheaper all the way around. Even for the person receiving the service.
But you do have the right to state you only want to see the doctor or dentist.
And at our clinic: if you come in for just a nail trim,and you just see a tech and let him/her do it, you pay $2. Seriously. (and sometimes we just do it for free and send you on your way) If you want the vet to do it, you will pay $10. And that is just for a nail trim, no exam or lookover.
B
Really??? :yikes: In Canada, you pay the same no matter WHO does it. That's why I insist on seeing the person for whom I'm paying the rate.
If they let you get it for a lesser rate, I'd definitely understand it.
I do know the tech doing the dog's nails vs. the vet doing the dog's nails is a lot less and my vet actually says her techs do a better job since they do it all the time and she does not.
If they let you get it for a lesser rate, I'd definitely understand it.
I do know the tech doing the dog's nails vs. the vet doing the dog's nails is a lot less and my vet actually says her techs do a better job since they do it all the time and she does not.
Really??? :yikes: In Canada, you pay the same no matter WHO does it. That's why I insist on seeing the person for whom I'm paying the rate.
If they let you get it for a lesser rate, I'd definitely understand it.
I do know the tech doing the dog's nails vs. the vet doing the dog's nails is a lot less and my vet actually says her techs do a better job since they do it all the time and she does not.
If they let you get it for a lesser rate, I'd definitely understand it.
I do know the tech doing the dog's nails vs. the vet doing the dog's nails is a lot less and my vet actually says her techs do a better job since they do it all the time and she does not.
There are set rates (set by the clinic you go to) for a tooth cleaning. THese are based on the assumption that is is a DH. If enough people force the dentist to do so (and its not the norm) then the rates will go up.
I have never paid much for a tooth cleaning.. nothing near a dentist's hourly rate!!
B
Maybe where you are. Here, that is NOT the case and it IS the norm for a dentist to do a cleaning but obviously you don't believe anything I say so I give up.
My father was a dentist for many, many years and my parents still go to another dentist and he does their cleanings so please don't assume just because that's what you know that that is ALWAYS the case.
I'm done. :wall:
My father was a dentist for many, many years and my parents still go to another dentist and he does their cleanings so please don't assume just because that's what you know that that is ALWAYS the case.
I'm done. :wall:
Why do I have to believe or not believe?
I have used a few dental clinics here. I am going on what the current education system teaches and by what I have found at my clinics that I frequent. I never said they don't.. I never said the couldn't. My grandfather did most of his too. But it cost more for the clients-but he had a small practise (it was just him).
I do think you aren't reading my posts.
I have used a few dental clinics here. I am going on what the current education system teaches and by what I have found at my clinics that I frequent. I never said they don't.. I never said the couldn't. My grandfather did most of his too. But it cost more for the clients-but he had a small practise (it was just him).
I do think you aren't reading my posts.
The last time I had my teeth cleaned , the DH had some new equipment . I'm sure that she does a better job than my Dentist could do . My last Dentist cleaned mine for years and did a lousy job . Etched a few teeth terrible and left some hard plaque that I actually flipped out . It took at least 4 cleanings before my DH got everything ccleaned out . I pay my Dentist for her cleaning and his checking .
BJdobson, I think that your experiences, while true, are not the norm. Your family probably asks for special care because of the dental history in your family.
It's like my mom being a teacher--she was way more nitpicky about our education than anyone else's mom. Yet at the same time, she didn't complain when a teacher's aide taught us something instead of the teacher...it's a way to keep costs down. They don't NEED two licensed teachers in a classroom, when one would just be executing the lesson plans the other created. That's why there's an aide.
It's like my mom being a teacher--she was way more nitpicky about our education than anyone else's mom. Yet at the same time, she didn't complain when a teacher's aide taught us something instead of the teacher...it's a way to keep costs down. They don't NEED two licensed teachers in a classroom, when one would just be executing the lesson plans the other created. That's why there's an aide.
Honestly... I think the vet techs were simply being blunt. At least that's how it sounds, to me. I expect that kind of thing when I start off at a new Vet, or I don't know the tech. They assume a lot, based on the average pet owner, and it usually does take blunt, direct statements to get a message across to MANY people about their pets. This kind of reminds me of the Obedience trainer situation. It isn't easy to hear people give you constructive criticism about your dog, but they are (usually) completely well-meaning... but I've noticed that a lot of people who work with pets become jaded by all of the irresponsible owners, and can get very direct about their advice.
I feel that talking to new techs in a knowledgable manner, and making it clear that you ARE an aware, educated, responsible dog owner can really change a blunt/snarky tech's tone. Also, just getting to know them and them getting to know your dog is important. You should not feel uncomfortable or nervous when going to the Vet... I would switch Vet's if I felt that way. However, it's also important to have a thick skin, and not take a tech's advice as a personal attack. Everyone has something that their dog is critiqued for - with Gonzo, it's his uneasiness with strangers/strange dogs - with Fozzie, it's usually his "thickness". If some one (especially some one in the field of training/caring for/vetting dogs) offers me advice about either, I'll listen, and usually I will take it with a grain of salt.
I feel that talking to new techs in a knowledgable manner, and making it clear that you ARE an aware, educated, responsible dog owner can really change a blunt/snarky tech's tone. Also, just getting to know them and them getting to know your dog is important. You should not feel uncomfortable or nervous when going to the Vet... I would switch Vet's if I felt that way. However, it's also important to have a thick skin, and not take a tech's advice as a personal attack. Everyone has something that their dog is critiqued for - with Gonzo, it's his uneasiness with strangers/strange dogs - with Fozzie, it's usually his "thickness". If some one (especially some one in the field of training/caring for/vetting dogs) offers me advice about either, I'll listen, and usually I will take it with a grain of salt.
I think if I truly loved my vet and didn't want to switch, I would probably tell the snarky tech myself that her opinions are unwanted and unwelcome...........and then I would fill the vet in on exactly WHY I told her tech to keep her opinions to herself
I am very fortunate to love my vet AND her staff. They make a big hairy deal anytime I bring the dogs in........baby talk, treats, and even hand out promotional toys to my gang I don't think I would hesitate to tell any one of them if they offended me, and the faster I handle it the better I would feel about returning.
NOW..........on to the dentist part, LMAO!! At my dentist there is ONE dentist and ONE hygienist. I have had my teeth cleaned by either of them on any given day. Depends on who is busy and who isn't. The dentist is more gentle but the hygienist does a MUCH more thorough job and the charge is the same (based on the assumption that the hygienist will be doing it)
I am very fortunate to love my vet AND her staff. They make a big hairy deal anytime I bring the dogs in........baby talk, treats, and even hand out promotional toys to my gang
I don't think I would hesitate to tell any one of them if they offended me, and the faster I handle it the better I would feel about returning.NOW..........on to the dentist part, LMAO!! At my dentist there is ONE dentist and ONE hygienist. I have had my teeth cleaned by either of them on any given day. Depends on who is busy and who isn't. The dentist is more gentle but the hygienist does a MUCH more thorough job and the charge is the same (based on the assumption that the hygienist will be doing it)
