Thanks for your comments Patricia.

Yes, I was very scared of disclosing this problem to the dentist. But I figured it was something I had to do. I have been going to the same dentist for 20 years, and although he retired a couple of years he turned over his practice to another very talented professional. But the dental hygenist is the same one I've been seeing for a long long time. I told her at the beginning of the appt and she told the dentist for me. I hoped they would be understanding but had a lot of fear. I'm just so relieved and thankful that they were so great about it.

I don't really know what to make of the letter they sent you. On the one hand, they apologized which is good.

But on the other hand, they seemed to be very supportive of the dentist and made it all seem like a misunderstanding, which doesn't sound like your experience of it.

And there isn't any mention of follow up actions they will be taking with the dentist, to explain to him how the experience affected you and maybe help him to learn how to handle situations differently in the future.

I don't think you're too sensitive. Are you considering responding to their letter? Sometimes when it's necessary to complain about something it helps to ask specifically for what we want to happen.

and to you, Patricia.