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Discussion

What do you think of this?

Having recently moved, I found myself needing a dentist and basically had to go through the yellow pages looking for one. I found one that could see me. I was in PAIN so I didn't have time to do a bunch of initial visits to "interview" one that I liked. So I find this dentist and here is what I experienced, I am wondering if you think this was a HIPAA violation?

There is an outer waiting room, a back room which has the Xray machine in it, and one other connected room with 3 dental chairs in it located about 5 feet from each other. (This is a house that has been converted into a dentist office. The 3 chairs were located in what used to be a bedroom.) So basically, it is a "line" of chairs. I was put in the middle chair. There was a woman on my left and a woman on my right. Now, I have had a LOT of dental work done, and I hate it, but I am a big girl and can usually handle it pretty good. Not this time! The dentist put the novacaine in and grabbed the pliers and attempted to pull my tooth. I had nerves exposed. I cried out in pain so she stopped and asked what was wrong. I told her that I had exposed roots and that her pliers hurt. She stated that no, it was just pressure. Ok, I KNOW THE DIFFERENCE! I stated that maybe we could let the novacaine work for a few minutes. She stated again tha all I was feeling was pressure, and started to work again. It hurt so bad that I cried! Heck, I might as well have saved the novacaine fee since she didn't give it time to sink in. In fact, from the time she injected it, to the time my tooth was out was under 5 minutes. Anyway, I am sitting there crying in the chair and open my eyes to see the woman on my left looking at me with pity in her eyes, the woman on my right laughing at me. I walked out of the office wondering if they had made comments about me after I left because they had obviously witnessed the whole event.

Usually I am thick skinned and not a very private person, but this really bothered me. I just wondered if this was a HIPAA violation. I think it was, but maybe it's different in a dentist office? Any other dentist office I have been to had each patient in their own room or at least with partitions between chairs.

I WILL NOT be returning to that office!

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    Dentist was cruel. Too bad you couldn't stop the procedure and walk out.

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    It wasn't a violation of the confidentiality rules, since the others didn't know who you are. It surely was a violation of your dignity! There should be some division between patients so one doesn't see or hear what another goes through. I don't know if this is a rule, but it surely is common sense.

    Also, I think not letting the novocaine kick in is a huge negative. Not listening to your fears and continuing to pull the tooth against your wishes is another huge negative. I'm thinking malpractice/battery. You might want to contact a lawyer or a legal aid program to ask some questions about this. Definitely don't go back to this dentist!

    I hope you're feeling better now. Wow...I'm sending you some flowers as you recuperate.

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    Not an issue of confidentiality since the others didn't know who I was? What if they did? What if it was my neighbor? What if I saw the patient on my left in walmart 2 weeks later and asked how she turned out with her new dentures? (I also heard her treatment plan just as she heard everything that was going on with me.) And what if she asked me how the hole in my mouth healed? I'm not arguing with you on this, just trying to understand why this is NOT a violation of confidentiality.

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    Not an issue of confidentiality since the others didn't know who I was? What if they did? What if it was my neighbor? What if I saw the patient on my left in walmart 2 weeks later and asked how she turned out with her new dentures? (I also heard her treatment plan just as she heard everything that was going on with me.) And what if she asked me how the hole in my mouth healed? I'm not arguing with you on this, just trying to understand why this is NOT a violation of confidentiality.

    For the same reason it's not a violation of HIPAA to do bedside rounds in a semi-private room. Patient identifiers are kept confidential but there's nothing you can do if someone sees you.

    As someone else said, a violation of dignity, yes. HIPAA, I'd say no. And yes, HIPAA applies to any healthcare provider, including a dentist

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    It's not a violation of confidentiality because the dentist's office didn't tell the others who you were or (hopefully) leave your records where your name could be detected.

    The other issues are much bigger than the possibility of a confidentiality violation.

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    Nope, many dental practices are set up just like that one.

    You looked through the phone book and picked a random doc. I would have asked anyone for a reference if I had none at all and no friend to ask. I would have asked someone in line at the grocery store, or at Target even.

    You might consult someone on what recourse you have for your pain and suffering.

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    If a dentist treated me like that they wouldn't get a chance to pull a tooth, I'd have told them off and walked out.

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    Your story sounds like something out of a Stephen King novel! What a nightmare!

    I am with you-I would certainly feel violated to some degree. As for being a HIPAA violation, I dunno. I would think so, but as another poster pointed out, the same scenario plays out when docs round on pts with semi-private rooms.

    Geez, what's next? Lined up gyno chairs for faster exams?

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    Canes, now THAT would be something!

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    Are you guys for real when you imply that OP might want to consider suing ?

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    It sounds like you could file a complaint for very poor care, but I don't think it counts as a HIPAA violation. To me it seems stupid to have people right next to each other. At some point someone is going to use your name etc.

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    Are you guys for real when you imply that OP might want to consider suing ?

    I don't know about a lawsuit, but I think maybe reporting it to the licencing body for that state. Maybe there have been similar complaints, and it will help ensure safe practice.

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