Timp Plaza Dental: Braithwaite Steven R DDS

I feel the competency and bedside manner of the dentist and staff are good and I appreciate their services. However, I have the following observations of my most recent visit where I had a both a crown and a filling replaced:

1. The assistant was a temp. While she seemed knowledgeable and competent, she was obviously sick with a cold/cough. During the time she had her hands in my mouth, she was constantly coughing, often directly at me and into my face. She commented to me it was a good thing she was wearing a mask. That was not very comforting to me.
2. The temp also had a tattoo on her wrist. While I do not judge or condemn a person for having a tattoo (I personally would not disfigure or potentially contaminate my body with a tattoo), I do feel that tattoos are not sanitary and so question the sanitation procedures of a person who choses to have a tattoo. Although not always the case, it can be indicative of other unhealthy personal hygiene. I particularly don't want them touching me in areas (such as my mouth) where I can possibly become infected.
3. I have done a lot of reading about silver fillings containing mercury and have read that mercury contamination can occur (and is often more likely to occur) in the body when the fillings are extracted than when they are inserted. I know there are opposing schools of thought on this issue (and about the adverse effects of mercury in general) and it is a controversial one. I mentioned to both the dentist and the assistant that in removing the silver filling, I would like a net or other devise inserted to catch the silver which was extracted. That was very important to me. I felt that the dentist and assistant were somewhat dismissive of that request. They explained the extracted filling would all be caught when it was extracted (there would be two suctions) and none would get into my system. I was not comfortable with that but acquiesced. However, during the procedure, I did swallow excess water which I am sure contained some of the residue from the silver extracted. I was not happy with this and have since been taking supplements to bind and eliminate any mercury residue that might have entered my system. My body seems to be more sensitive to medications and pollutants than most other people (which causes discomfort and other consequences), so I am particularly concerned when it comes to the introduction of foreign substances into my system (particularly metals). Again, I felt an insensitivity to my concern - although again there are different schools of thought on the issue. The dentist and assistant may subscribe to the school that a little mercury in the system is of little consequence.
4. It appeared that the dentist was attending to numerous other patients at the time I was undergoing the crown and filling replacements. While I understand that there is some waiting which needs to occur during the procedures, I felt the wait time was extensive (more so than I have experienced with other dentists) and I was in the chair much longer time than I needed to be had there been fewer other patients. I know that dentists can be more efficient and generate more patient work and fees by rotating through many patients at once; however, my time is also important. I am also a professional (lawyer and CPA). I bill my clients by the hour and so like to minimize my down time such as time spent with doctors and dentists.
Please understand that I don't mean the above to be an indictment of your personnel or procedures. Also, I don't consider my self to be thin-skinned or a hypochondriac. But you have asked for my responses and I have given them to you.
Thanks,
Craig

They were really quick and did a great job. It was nice to just lay back and watch a movie.

I'm writing this the day after a three and a half hour appointment and all I can say is my mouth feels great. The staff and Dr. Braithwaite took great care of me.

I was pleased with the personal care the Dentist and Dental Assistance provided with my visit.

I love being able to watch a movie while I get my teeth worked on. You make it a very relaxing environment. At least as relaxing as getting four fillings can be! And I appreciate that the dentist is very aware of the patient - how much pain is being felt, making sure the right parts are numb, giving me breaks to close my mouth and rest the jaw a time or two. Such a great office staff as well! I would definitely recommend you to a friend.