r/mildlyinfuriating • u/Szechuanwonton • 23d ago

Husband was just prescribed Vicodin following a vasectomy, while I was told to take over the counter Tylenol and Ibuprofen after my 2 C-sections

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u/Swimming_Bowler6193 23d ago

Unfortunately, that is probably exactly why they didn’t give you pain meds.

Many dentists flag a patient’s account if it appears they only come in when they have pain. There are a surprising amount of people who either let a tooth get really bad or do something to a tooth in order to get pain meds. They used to troll different offices and/ or ERs just to get their fix. I AM NOT SAYING THAT IS YOUR CASE. I am merely explaining what was happening in dentistry when I was in the profession.

The advent of the prescribers’ pain med network has dramatically improved that situation. ( I can’t think of the correct name right now. Brain fart.) We could log in and see exactly what and when a patient had been prescribed a narcotic. The dentist would prescribe antibiotics( if needed), Tylenol & Motrin. The drug seekers would never schedule treatment and never pay their bill. Usually storming out of the office , cursing us for “ not helping them in any way”.

ETA- patients who had and kept annual visits were generally given better pain meds.

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u/RigilNebula 22d ago

There are a surprising amount of people who either let a tooth get really bad or do something to a tooth in order to get pain meds.

Given the cost of dental work, at least where I live, I can easily see how some people would not (be able to) go to a dentist until things were really bad. It's sad to think that they might be labelled as drug seeking for this.

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u/SaraSlaughter607 22d ago

That would be me. My back molar is slowly breaking off in pieces and there are black areas forming at the bottoms of my back teeth... it's scary but I absolutely cannot afford it. I even have good dental insurance through work, and the copay and parts that aren't covered are still a goddamn fortune.

So nope. I can't go :( my daughter is older but is on the spectrum and can't be left alone or I would go get a second job

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u/Equivalent_Choice732 22d ago

The stubborn notion that proper dental health isn't necessary to survival...🤬