I've been having terrible pain in my wisdom teeth recently, so I decided to go to an oral surgeon to get a consultation. I knew when walking in to the office I was going to have to take out all my piercings (septum, plugs, earrings, labret, etc.) in order for them to do a full panoramic x-ray (I'm sure all of you can relate. That was fine, I've had to do that a million times, and I do not mind it as long as I am getting the health care I deserve and pay for. It is also just common courtesy when you go to the dentist or orthodontist, to take all oral piercing out. They may get in the way and impair the physician from providing adequate care.
At A Glance Author anonymous When N/A Artist N/A, oral surgeon When I actually went in to see the oral surgeon, Dr. Wallace, my attitude quickly changed. I think he almost shit himself when he saw me. First he looked at my x-rays to confirm that I did indeed need to have my wisdom teeth taken out. Then he proceeded to tell me that he would refuse treatment if I did not take ALL my piercing (even plugs and septum) out the day of the surgery. He told me that "piercing kill people." I responded with a quick "surgery can kill people."
I told him "If you are a knowledgeable consumer, ask the right questions, follow proper instructions for aftercare, and listen to your body, you should have no problem." He disagreed with this statement insisting that piercings led to deaths every day.
He told me "Keep a piercing clean is not the issue." This statement appalled me. I told him that he was uninformed and ignorant. I explained to him that piercing was no long a social taboo and accepted by many dental professions around the nation. Because he had said "keeping the piercings clean were not the main issue" I asked him if it would be ok "to dirt where my newly removed wisdom teeth had been." I said I thought that would be ok because he had said "that keeping it clean was not the issue." I was clearly being sarcastic, extremely sarcastic. I don't think he took this too well...haha.
On my way out I asked the hygienist in the office about Dr. Wallace's policy on oral piercings. I asked where on their "Consent to Surgery" slip did it state I must take out all facial piercings. She said it did not state that, but that he would refuse me care. This is illegal.
The moral of this story is, call and ask about their policy on piercings before you in for a full consultation. I called a number of other surgeons in the area. I even called the chief head of surgery at the local hospital. NONE of them had any problem with oral piercings. Some of them even said if someone came in with oral piercings, they would actually clean the piercings for them. How great is that? It's encouraging to see open-minded people.
Furthermore, understand your consumer and patient rights, and ALWAYS ask to see a hard copy of them (they are different for each facility). Do not go by what they tell you verbally.
Needless to say, I am NOT going to Dr. Wallace for surgery. I am however, writing him a letter telling him that he lost $1500 by being ignorant and closed minded. There is a difference between being professional and being stubborn. I suggest that if you are in the same situation, write a letter. Be careful that is not slanderous, but professional and honest. It is your right as a consumer of health care that you are treated in the best way possible.
After my visit, I did some research online to decide if Dr. Wallace's accusations were fair. I found out that the American Dental Association has spear headed a campaign against oral piercings by forming "The American Dental Association Against Oral Piercings." I'm sure Dr. Wallace is a member. They claim that piercings can cause suffocation, chipped teeth, and infection. However, all of these situations can be easily avoided if the wearer is an informed individual. I'm assuming that somewhere along the line, the ADA may have been held liable for some kid's death in a dentist chair because some incompetent hygienist knocked the ball of his tongue ring and he choked on it. Consumers SHOULD NOT BE REFUSED CARE BECAUSE OF LIABILITY ISSUES.
It is a physician's reasonability to develop a relationship between themselves and their patient. Part of the money you pay for health care is for a physicians time, even when they are not working on you. So, by all means, if a physician does not agree with how you look, consider this discrimination. Fill a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and send that individual a letter letting them know the concerns of the modified community. We don't live in the Stone Age anymore.