Orthodontist Red Flags

About a month ago, I finally got my braces taken off. Again. I think this time was even more relieving than the first time, when I was sixteen.
This time around was... less than stellar, as I've already shared here. I'm aware that some of that stems from the impacts of braces on my self esteem, but with two different orthodontia experiences under my retainer, nearly a decade apart, I feel uniquely positioned to provide you with a list of things to look out for in your own journey towards straighter teeth.

Red Flags (in no particular order)

• No bedside manner
• Not updating you on your progress
• Not answering questions/ moving too quickly to give you the opportunity to ask questions
• Lack of understanding around missing teeth and self-esteem
• Not providing extras like flossing needles, Platypus flossers, wax, rubber bands, etc. (you’re paying so much that they should provide you with the opportunities to be successful)
  
• Cutting you off in greetings
  

I found that on this second go-around, the doctor and his staff were less welcoming, less willing to update me on what was happening in my own mouth, less interested in conversation, and did not supply me with any of the accoutrements that my last foray did. I should note that my original ortho was wonderfully pleasant, but the practice was turned over to a new doctor, and that was when things started to go downhill.

I honestly had a moment, during one of my appointments, where the ortho turned away from me in the middle of my greeting to ask  a staff member a question, after which he continued to ignore me as though I hadn't spoken at all. He also refused to listen to my questions or concerns until I finally confronted him to mention that I might not have insurance following the end of November... which was both true, and the reason I got my braces off on November 1st.

Green Flags (of course!!!)

• Recommendation from your dentist
  
• Recommendation from friends and family
• Friendly receptionists
• Remembering your name
• Good bedside manner
• Sense of humor
• Answering questions
• Offering solutions
• Providing you with extras to be successful
  

This is not a comprehensive list. I actually generally enjoy interacting with dental professionals, which is why it was so disheartening to have a bad experience. My most recent experience at least involved friendly receptionists! I understand that I tend to have lots of questions, and greatly appreciate extra patience as I come up with new questions or concerns, but again: This is MY mouth. If there is an issue, the person who needs to live with any mistakes is me.

It is your ortho and their team's job to answer your questions, assuage your fears, understand the wonder of having a tooth, update you on progress, and at the very least, tell you what extras you might need. Braces are so costly, that I think they should just give you those supplies, but I lean towards national healthcare and communism, just so my biases are clear. Take my words with a grain of salt, enjoy flossing in the before-braces-times, and call for a consultation today!