They seem to always ask about this, especially prior to oral surgery, and I don't like having to disclose. I used to write down what I took, but my dental hygienist saw the lamictal and thought I had a seizure disorder. I didn't correct her and say it was for bipolar, but then it became a thing where she would talk about epilepsy every time I had my teeth cleaned.

I stopped taking medication altogether at one point and told her when she asked (as she always did, to keep the chart current). It confused her, and the whole thing was awkward. Now that I may start taking meds again, and have an upcoming dental appointment, I'm wondering if it's just okay not to mention it.

Anyone have thoughts on this?

[Sometimes psychotic]

I always tell them----they usually ask me about oral symptoms like dry mouth or other things that can cause dental issues----

[IrisBloom]

Yes, you should disclose any medical info they ask for. I know it's uncomfortable with psych meds, but it's necessary. It is also against federal law for anyone to ask about your condition (especially for medical people to talk about it to others), but in a dental or medical setting it is probably a good idea to tell. There are drug interactions you would want to avoid if possible.

Thanks so much for responding. It's terribly uncomfortable, especially since there's no privacy. All the stations are pretty much open, with walls on three sides. Anyone can (and does) hear all conversations. I still struggle with the embarrassment of it.

I disclose. I haven't had any issues with it.

[IrisBloom]

If someone over hears and looks at you funny, look creepy back at them!

[ManOfConstantSorrow]

Of course, why not? Who will know? Am I the only depressed/medicated person they treat? I think not.

[~Christina]

Just have a list of your medications and hand it to them.

The dentist needs to know because damn near all of then cause dry mouth and cavities are quick to follow the Dentist can advise you what toothpaste and mouthwash to use ( usually Biotine which is wonderful)...

No one really is going to care if your on psych meds to be honest. Most dental tech's dont even know what a psych med is anyway.

[Mikeyboy]

Originally Posted by licketysplit

Thanks so much for responding. It's terribly uncomfortable, especially since there's no privacy. All the stations are pretty much open, with walls on three sides. Anyone can (and does) hear all conversations. I still struggle with the embarrassment of it.

I can imagine that being uncomfortable. Putting myself in that situation, I am a very private person and that'd make me feel very exposed, I can understand where you are coming from. It is necessary though to disclose information like that to avoid any possible adverse drug reactions with something they may use on you. Could you maybe write down a list of what you take beforehand and just hand it to them so you don't have to say it out loud?

Thanks for the idea of writing it down to hand to them, Christina and Mikeyboy. And thanks for the laugh, IrisB!

[Altered Moment]

I think they are primarily worried about drug interactions.

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[Pierro]

They have many patients, all on different meds. It is for your own best interest that you should disclose this information. It's just in case of a reaction that they have to ask.

Best wishes

[lilypup]

I also like the idea of handing the list over. Perhaps you could put a one or two word phrase as to what they are used for. People always seem to say "What is that for?"

A while back, I never disclosed. I didn't think they would believe me.

[Eliza Jane]

I take Lamictal too and I often just say, "but I don't have seizures. I take it for another reason." And that is usually sufficient. If pressed, I say "mood disorder" because it sounds less serious than bipolar.

[Mundane Gryphon]

The idea of handing them a written list is great. You could also just tell them the names of the medications without explaining what they are for, if you feel comfortable doing that. They don't need to know anything more than the name of the drug. If they press you, just tell them you'd rather not discuss your medical history in public.

I'd use IrisBloom's solution myself. Serves them right for being snoopy .

[The_little_didgee]

Yes. Usually it is the hygienist that asks. I feel comfortable with her so I have no problem answering her medication and medical questions. She will only ask for additional information if there are any changes.

There are special dental offices that only see people with medical conditions, disabilities and psychiatric illness. I go to one that is located in a hospital. I feel a lot more comfortable there than in a regular dental office. Maybe you can look into that option.

Originally Posted by ~Christina

The dentist needs to know because damn near all of then cause dry mouth and cavities are quick to follow the Dentist can advise you what toothpaste and mouthwash to use ( usually Biotine which is wonderful)...

Good point. I wish psychiatrists would tell you that certain medications can destroy your teeth. Grrr. I have no more molars in my lower left jaw due to loxapine.

Thanks everyone. My dental hygienist is very friendly and chatty, so I like the idea of telling her it's for something else (in the case of lamictal) if she starts up a discussion about epilepsy. (Thanks for that idea, Eliza Jane). But I will try to head it off first by handing her a written list. It's one of those situations where everyone hears everything and people are talking about the conversation going on in the station next to them, so if she starts asking about a medication, I don't necessarily want everyone in the office to hear. But I do hear all of you (and can accept) that I need to let them know.

[Dx1347]

Yes, I tell my dentist about everything I'm on, including OTC. There's a lot that can affect oral health. I've only had one problem with a hygienist, not my usual one, asking me about how my meds were working for me. I complained, and i only go to one particular hygienist for cleanings now.

[Hottiedepressed]

Obviously yes!

[eskielover]

Back in 1975.....I wasn't on any meds other than birth control (dark ages birth control) & had just gotten married. Went to the dentist & I passed out when they gave me the numbing shot for filling the tooth......I came around then passed out again & they had to get the oxygen out. They felt that I had a serious problem with the birth control causing the reaction.....it was between that & I'm sure the weight loss that I was dealing with.....but when obgyn heard the reaction I had along with the other problems....it ended the BC immediately......

So there are strange interactions that can happen that we don't even think would be correlated.

LOL.....I remember having to have a root canal after being given valium.....I was stressed to I took quite a few. I should have been in la la land but it didn't even have an effect on me.....so I had a little chuckle when my pain specialist PA suggested that in going through the oral surgery to have all my teeth removed & get dentures they might offer me valium......wouldn't waste my money on getting that perscription....& I'm on enough pain medication even though it's lowered from what I had been on........will see but she was thinking that the surgery might trigger my migraines again & we just got the medication down to an acceptable level for them to do the surgery in the first place. Patches are a whole different form of medication which was the only kind of pain medication that ever worked for me......but it could have been a serious problem going under anesthesia on the dose that I had been on for 10 years without any problems....but then I never had any surgeries only serious weight loss.

All medication actions & interactions can end up being serious so it's important for them to know especially when something does happen....most don't have any idea about interactions in the first place & many MD's have no idea about side effects either until AFTER you end up having them.

[BipolaRNurse]

Where I live, there's a big health system which has access to all of one's medical history, including meds, and all they have to do is look it up on the computer. I carry a printout of my med list in my wallet, and change it out whenever my meds change, so that if I go to a medical group outside the system, I can just hand it to them to make a copy for my file there. That way I don't have to try to remember them all (I'm on 12 prescriptions and several supplements) and don't have to answer a bunch of intrusive questions.

This is common practice in most health systems nowadays. You may want to check with your doctor's office to see if they are part of a larger network of doctors, clinics, and hospitals.....almost everybody has electronic medical records now.