Would you make a complaint about this?

[pinkcat]

I was at the dentist yesterday for a crown procedure. Before they got started, the dental assistant asked "Is there any chance at all that you could be pregnant?"

I wasn't sure what they were asking for (X-Ray, medication, Novacaine shot?) and I'm in the TWW so I said "Well, I don't think so, but there is a small chance I guess." She then said - "Well, are you TRYING? Is your period late?" I did not see why if I was trying was any of her business, but just said "Yes. We are."

The dental office is all open air- no separate rooms or doors, just some half walls and curtains. The dentist was across the room with another patient and the assistant yelled across the room "Dr. _____, she is trying to get pregnant. Should I do the X ray? Should I just double up on the X ray blanket?"

I was very embarrassed- other people I know go to this dentist and I don't want to broadcast the fact that we are trying, and every patient in there turned to look at me. She then told every other assistant who came over- even ones who were just working on patients next to me and not involved with my case at all- that I was trying to get pregnant, might even be pregnant right now and "she hoped I'd be pregnant soon." I could not say anything because at this point my dentist was working in my mouth.

When I went to pay, even the receptionist and two other employees up front said "I heard you're trying to get pregnant, I hope next time I see you you have a belly!" I didn't even know what to say to at this point so ignored it and left.

DH thought this was all so unprofessional and that I should call corporate to complain, but I'm not sure how to word this type of complaint? Is this worth complaining about? I am not a person to typically get irrationally mad or make any complaints but it seemed really out of line to me. What does GKU think?

ETA- Re-reading, I realize this is pretty long- sorry for all the words! I tried to make it as short as I could.

[Deleted]

I would report it. That's just ridiculous. I'm sorry you had to deal with that.

[jubilantsquirrel]

I would also report it. It's obviously fine to ask if there is chance you might be pregnant, but to then ask if you you're trying and for her to broadcast that information across the entire office multiple times is unacceptable, IMO.

[hydrangea1019]

I agree with those who responded before me. I would make some kind of complaint whether dude fly to the office or corporate.

ETA: dude fly?? Really autocorrect?? That should say DIRECTLY.

[Deleted]

Yes. That was completely unprofessional. I would report it to their coporate office.

[TheEleventhHour]

Team Report It as well. That was incredibly unprofessional. I would just explain that private information from your chart was shouted across the office, several people overheard it, and it made you uncomfortable. The dental assistant should have gotten off her ass to ask the dentist rather than shout ...

[longhornwino0907]

I get the asking if you are, and even asking if you're trying (though that's a weird way to put it, just asking if there's a chance should be sufficient -- in my TWW, I would always say yes). It's a safety thing. But it was VERY unprofessional for her to broadcast this information. Maybe the doctor needed to know if there was a chance, but again, she could just tell the doctor that there's a chance you could be pregnant and ask how to proceed with the X-rays.

TL;DR: I would report it.

[Rama]

That's not cool on so many levels. I would make a complaint and specifically use the dental assistant's name. Asking if you're pregnant or could be pregnant is standard procedure for an xray, broadcasting it to the entire fucking office is not.

[hurricanerek]

Yes please report it. It would be terrible for that to happen to you again or to another woman who goes to your dentist.

[pismoduo]

Yes. Totally inappropriate. And aside from making you uncomfortable, it's flirting with a HIPAA violation.

[pinkcat]

Thank you all! GKU is wise. I am glad that you all feel the same way, I wanted to make sure I wasn't being overly sensitive here.

To make matters worse, they didn't put the crown on right so I am going to have to go back this week I will say something to the manager when I am in as well as call their corporate office. 

[rablissful]

+1 to what everyone has said.

She should have gotten up to go to the dentist and asked him in hushed tones. Not something that's ok to broadcast to the entire office.

Edit double words

[longhornwino0907]

Sept 2, 2015 12:51:04 GMT -5 pinkcat said:

Thank you all! GKU is wise. I am glad that you all feel the same way, I wanted to make sure I wasn't being overly sensitive here.

To make matters worse, they didn't put the crown on right so I am going to have to go back this week I will say something to the manager when I am in as well as call their corporate office. 

I might consider switching offices if they can't keep quiet about shit AND can't put a crown on right.

[pinkcat]

Sept 2, 2015 12:53:55 GMT -5 longhornwino0907 said:

Sept 2, 2015 12:51:04 GMT -5 pinkcat said:

Thank you all! GKU is wise. I am glad that you all feel the same way, I wanted to make sure I wasn't being overly sensitive here.

To make matters worse, they didn't put the crown on right so I am going to have to go back this week I will say something to the manager when I am in as well as call their corporate office. 

I might consider switching offices if they can't keep quiet about shit AND can't put a crown on right.

I completely agree. This is just a temporary crown right now, but as soon as the permanent one comes in I will be finding someone else. I have already paid for the crown through them so I'd like to avoid switching until I get that, and then I plan on never going back.

[ironbaby]

Definitely complain.

I mentioned to my hygienist at my last appointment that we would be trying before my next appointment, so that I could go ahead and get x-rays just in case. She was very discreet, very sweet, and very professional. I would have been mortified in your position, and I don't think that was appropriate AT ALL.

[rablissful]

Sept 2, 2015 12:53:55 GMT -5 longhornwino0907 said:

Sept 2, 2015 12:51:04 GMT -5 pinkcat said:

Thank you all! GKU is wise. I am glad that you all feel the same way, I wanted to make sure I wasn't being overly sensitive here.

To make matters worse, they didn't put the crown on right so I am going to have to go back this week I will say something to the manager when I am in as well as call their corporate office. 

I might consider switching offices if they can't keep quiet about shit AND can't put a crown on right.

[pbandj714]

Um yes. I'd complain. That is highly unprofessional!

[ceejay]

I agree with everyone else. That is so completely unprofessional and rude. I would complain and mention the dental assistant by name.

[frankenboom]

Sept 2, 2015 12:48:40 GMT -5 longhornwino0907 said:

I get the asking if you are, and even asking if you're trying (though that's a weird way to put it, just asking if there's a chance should be sufficient -- in my TWW, I would always say yes). It's a safety thing. But it was VERY unprofessional for her to broadcast this information. Maybe the doctor needed to know if there was a chance, but again, she could just tell the doctor that there's a chance you could be pregnant and ask how to proceed with the X-rays.

TL;DR: I would report it.

This. At first I was thinking these questions are all very standard (although poorly worded in the form of "are you trying"), but the fact that she broadcast it over the whole office and then others in the office made comments about it is 100% unacceptable.

Their tact is lacking - though I'm sure they meant well, they need to be told that this is not OK at all as they don't know anyone's particular situation.

Call corporate. Let them know how uncomfortable this made you (esp. with the front desk person even saying something on your way out - that would have been the last straw for me), and explain why if needed.

[penguin129]

I'm sorry you had to go through that. I would say something doe sure. Hugs.

[butlerfan]

Yup I would complain-wouldn't this be under HIPPA laws? I'm not sure but I would be pissed and super embarrassed about this for the same reasons you listed.

[aprilz81]

Sept 2, 2015 14:13:00 GMT -5 butlerfan said:

Yup I would complain-wouldn't this be under HIPPA laws? I'm not sure but I would be pissed and super embarrassed about this for the same reasons you listed.

This was my first thought as well...

[teraiin]

I'm sorry you had to deal with that. I'd definitely complain. It's one thing to be concerned due to safety/health, but it sounds like that was totally unprofessional.

[singingsea]

Yeah inappropriate. I'd make a complaint.

[getzystark]

I'm sorry. That sucks. People are really ignorant sometimes.

[obi]

Team complain. The other thing I find odd is that the assistant even needed to yell and ask the dentist what she should do. There are three possible answers to "Are you pregnant?": Yes, No, and Maybe. Should there not be a standard course of action for each response? Why should treatment vary from person to person?

ETA: I am really sorry this happened to you!  

[pismoduo]

Sept 2, 2015 14:19:06 GMT -5 aprilz81 said:

Sept 2, 2015 14:13:00 GMT -5 butlerfan said:

Yup I would complain-wouldn't this be under HIPPA laws? I'm not sure but I would be pissed and super embarrassed about this for the same reasons you listed.

This was my first thought as well...

Yep. HIPAA specifically requires the minimum necessary disclosures be made to provide care. Telling your dentist? OK. One of the other hygienists accidentally overhearing but saying nothing to anyone? OK. The entire office (and other patients) overhearing because they're shouting about it? Violation.

[witchywoman]

Just reading this pissed me off. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I hate unprofessionalism. I'd complain, but I'm the type of person who likes to brag/complain if I have anything but average service anywhere.

[joy]

Sept 2, 2015 14:59:49 GMT -5 obi said:

 There are three possible answers to "Are you pregnant?": Yes, No, and Maybe.

You aren't "maybe" pregnant.  You either are or are not. 

The two week wait is not pregnant.

[RaeLynn28]

I would be horrified. I'm sorry this happened to you. I would def report it in the way you most feel comfortable doing.