When I worked for a dentist, hygenists could not do the 'numbing'. that is the doctor/dentists job.

There is a new term/education level as of about 6 or 7 years ago (problablely longer) sort of like a PA (physians assistant) only it is a Dental Assistant. This person is under the dentist, and the dentist has to check their work. But this person can administer the injectable anisthetc and do the drilling and filling etc, just can't work without the dentist's supervision. Then there is the chairside assistant, who is much less educated than the dentist, dental assistant or hyigenist.

At the bottom of the list is the receiptionist. I was a dental receptionist. Receptionists are often trained to keep their dentists on schedule and field all their calls. The receptionist you got hung up on was not at all professional. Sorry this had to happen to you.

When I worked for the dentist i was told by the other staff members which patients might have 'issues' when they would be looking over the schedules and that so and so would need more time due to what ever. We had one elderly lady who had been a Catholic nun and was raped. She always needed a gentle approach, and 'laughing gas'. We had several sensitive patients. Each person was treated as an a unique person. I hope you can find a much more profession dentist in your area.

I think my insurance will only pay for pano x-rays once every 5 years. I can't imagine that a dentist would want to take panos all the time like you have been asked to. Why would they want to add to your bill when they know you don't have insurance and need a 'sliding scale' or lower rate? You are right in thinking you don't need all that radiation! Stick to your guns on that one.

Your x-rays can be sent from one dentist to another, per your request in writing. Your new dentist can do that for you. Just make sure you plan plenty of time before you schedule your new dental appt for the old dentist to provide your records, x-rays, what have you.

Some times there are anisthectics (spelling) numbing medications that don't work for some people. make the new dentist well aware of that. That is why you want to get your previous records from any or all your dental history to the new dentist.

You may have a problem with gum resession, and not a tooth problem at all. Gum resession causes a lot of sensitive especially when you have a cleaning. There are some ways to treat that. any time the root of a tooth is slightly unprotected or exposed, like in gum resession, it can hurt.

Oh, and some receptions are also trained to 'hang up' when a person is thought to be "price shopping", so even though that is an issue for you, wait for them to ask you what your insurance is or if you have it. when they ask, say you have always paid cash in the past and that is what you need to do now.

You go for it and stick up for your rights.