[wildflowerchild25]

So I've been having discomfort from my wisdom teeth for about a month. It's taken me as much time to get in to see the oral surgeon. When I did the original paperwork, I checked off psychiatric conditions because I thought at this point I might be on some medication that a surgeon would have to know about since I'm going to be put under. Well the oral surgeon asked me what that meant, so I told him I could have bipolar disorder but I am awaiting a psych eval to diagnose. He said that since I'm not on any medication for it he needs medical clearance from my physician or psychiatrist before he will put me under deep sedation to get the teeth out.

I'm soooooo pissed that I didn't just lie! I lie every other time the question comes up, mostly because I thought I had recovered (thought I had trauma issues not BP2 even though they dx'd me with it years ago). What does a dentist need to know about my mental health?!

Why don't you just get your records from your physician, you ask? Well I hate doctors and haven't been there since 2009 when I had a pinched nerve in my back. Also, they know nothing of my mental health since I so rarely go (the time before that was in 2007 for carpal tunnel, and before that was 2005 for a physical for college). So I have to wait until June 17th for a physical to determine medical clearance. Unless he will accept a psychiatrist's clearance, in which case my eval is april 25th. perhaps the pdoc will confirm that I don't have bipolar disorder and this won't even be an issue, so WHY DID I PUT IT ON THE FORMS???

So glad my teeth don't actually hurt! This situation would be far more than a mild annoyance. I just really don't like talking about my mental health issues with anyone other than mental health professionals. I know physical doctors need to know but I always feel like it's none of anyone's business! And this surgeon proved why I don't tell people - he acted like I was about to jump across the table and strangle him for telling me this. NOW if it had been last Friday I might have, but that's not the point! Today I'm feeling good, just on the edge of maybe too hyper but not that bad.

I'm also annoyed that this particular dentist bills your medical insurance for oral surgery, so guess who has to pay out of pocket since she hasn't reached her insurance deductible yet? This girl! So i can't even afford to get the teeth removed anyway.

Good thing I'm not in pain, just mild discomfort!

[faerie_moon_x]

This is terrible. What does BP have to do with your teeth??? It's not like you are going to overdose on his seditive that he's administering....

Also here, most of the oral surgeons do not accept any type of insurance and dental insurance doesn't cover much. So, either way it would be out of pocket. Infected teeth are dangerous, so it's really dumb.

[ultramar]

Did the surgeon say why you need psych clearance? Medical clearance before a procedure yes, this is normal, but never heard of psych clearance in my life and I work in healthcare. What did he say?

[wildflowerchild25]

He was vague, said something about what could happen under sedation. I guess he feels that sedation could loosen my screws or something. Because before I answered I asked why he wanted to know since I feel like it has no bearing on the situation. I should have just said anxiety or something. Dunno if that would have made a difference. To be fair he did say medical clearance but specifically put on the form psychiatric conditions.

[wildflowerchild25]

I'm like embarrassed to even go back to him though because the two assistants were right there and we were talking about how I'm a teacher and now I'm like great she thinks I'm a nutcase teaching kids. But I would have to get my primary dentist changed and then wait until may 1st and get another consult....though that might be as much time as it takes to get a med clearance.

[~Christina]

Find a New Doctor and just lie .

[ultramar]

Originally Posted by wildflowerchild25

He was vague, said something about what could happen under sedation. I guess he feels that sedation could loosen my screws or something. Because before I answered I asked why he wanted to know since I feel like it has no bearing on the situation. I should have just said anxiety or something. Dunno if that would have made a difference. To be fair he did say medical clearance but specifically put on the form psychiatric conditions.

Did he put anything on the form in addition to psychiatric conditions? Because if so -if you need clearance due to other conditions- maybe that was just an add-on?

Did he say you could get cleared by your PCP or do you have to see a psychiatrist? Because if it's just your PCP, maybe the psychiatric condition isn't really the issue. If it is an issue, maybe since it seems you mentioned that you 'might' be going on medication for it, he wants to make sure you aren't (or know what you will be on) before he puts you under. I would think if you started to take especially a sedating medication before the procedure, maybe it would affect the anesthesia given.

I'm just trying to think of other possibilities, because it would be so bizarre to have to get cleared psychiatrically even if it were a major surgery, much less a dental procedure.

Why not try a plastic surgeon? I was amazed to know years ago that
a small pill could be given a day or two before surgery that would leave
the patient with no swelling or pain following the wisdom teeth removal.
Sedation, of course, was necessary.

I have a feeling that a plastic surgeon might be best after all.

[wildflowerchild25]

Originally Posted by ultramar

Did he put anything on the form in addition to psychiatric conditions? Because if so -if you need clearance due to other conditions- maybe that was just an add-on?

Did he say you could get cleared by your PCP or do you have to see a psychiatrist? Because if it's just your PCP, maybe the psychiatric condition isn't really the issue. If it is an issue, maybe since it seems you mentioned that you 'might' be going on medication for it, he wants to make sure you aren't (or know what you will be on) before he puts you under. I would think if you started to take especially a sedating medication before the procedure, maybe it would affect the anesthesia given.

I'm just trying to think of other possibilities, because it would be so bizarre to have to get cleared psychiatrically even if it were a major surgery, much less a dental procedure.

He put on the form that since I had reported having bipolar disorder I needed to have medical clearance and my dr needed to send over "current physical including all diagnoses and medications, psychiatric evaluation and medications, and any other recommendations". He said I COULD get it from my pcp but I never go there and apparently my records are in storage, plus they don't know about my mental health. So for me that won't work.

I really don't even care at this point. This whole thing is so dumb, everyone I know who has had their teeth out had them out in a matter of days for the initial appointment. I am going on a month waiting to even be seen. I think I am goin to switch dentists again and then just not mention my "condition" unless it is actually diagnosed and I am on meds for it by then.

[punkypunky]

See a new oral surgeon.

I've repeatedly had oral surgery and my psych state was of no concern. I've repeatedly had surgery (gal bladder and tonsils out as adult) and my psych state was no concern!

I did list whatever medications I was on at the time and it was no problem.

[ultramar]

Originally Posted by wildflowerchild25

He put on the form that since I had reported having bipolar disorder I needed to have medical clearance and my dr needed to send over "current physical including all diagnoses and medications, psychiatric evaluation and medications, and any other recommendations". He said I COULD get it from my pcp but I never go there and apparently my records are in storage, plus they don't know about my mental health. So for me that won't work.

I really don't even care at this point. This whole thing is so dumb, everyone I know who has had their teeth out had them out in a matter of days for the initial appointment. I am going on a month waiting to even be seen. I think I am goin to switch dentists again and then just not mention my "condition" unless it is actually diagnosed and I am on meds for it by then.

So bizarre... I'm really sorry this is happening! It sounds like a good idea to switch oral surgeons.