Dentist Visit

[Kim27]

I have had the worst luck with people not understanding or having NO clue what I'm talking about when I ask about gluten ingredients in things. From people saying "Oh no there's no sugar in this" to telling me they checked the ingredients and everything is A-OK! because the actual WORD gluten is not listed in the ingredients!! (I wish it was that easy!!!!!) So it has happened again and I need some help. I have seen on here people talking about needing to check dental cleaning supplies while at the dentist office. I have an appointment next week (my first since diagnosis) and so I called them yesterday to give them a head-up on my new diagnosis and also to give them time to find out about the gluten in their products. Well of courseeeeee they say they've never heard of gluten and no one has asked about it before in the office. (great!) I live in a relatively well-sized city with multiple gluten free menus in different restaurants, large celiac support group, etc, so I KNOW I'm not the only one in the city that has these concerns. Anyway...... the woman says let me find out and call you tomorrow. So I get a phone call this morning from her saying that she had one of the dental assistants check the ingredients and I'm all good b/c gluten is not listed as an ingredient. Of course I have to go through the whole thing where I have to explain that gluten itself will not be listed, they need to look for other keywords etc, and could they contact the manufacturer and ask them b/c they are likely to know what sort of excipients are in things. Now, I'm waiting....... My question for everyone, what do you do in these situations? I always end up feeling like I am not getting a for sure certain answer to feel comfortable that gluten is not in things, like pills, dental stuff, etc. How do you get thru to people? HOw do you find out for sure if it's safe? I am having so many problems with this. Food is not a big deal, if I can't find out for sure I just don't eat it, but for example, I can't just stop going to the dentist forever. How do you help people get a clue??

[lovegrov]

One thing you can do is ask for a list of the products to be used and the manufacturer and call them yourself. There's much less chance of error and misunderstanding if you talk directly instead of using an apparently clueless intermediary. Do it yourself is my rule.

Anyway, as far as cleaning stuff, from my experience, if you stay away from mint-flavored things (some have gluten, others don't) and you have them use plain, unflavored pumice, you'll be all right.

richard

[Frances03]

I guess I just dont freak out about the dentist. It's only twice a year, and I dont swallow anything they put in my mouth. I rinse really well and spit a lot, and they know I'm going to do that, so I don't worry about it.

[CarolinaKip]

I have had the worst luck with people not understanding or having NO clue what I'm talking about when I ask about gluten ingredients in things. From people saying "Oh no there's no sugar in this" to telling me they checked the ingredients and everything is A-OK! because the actual WORD gluten is not listed in the ingredients!! (I wish it was that easy!!!!!) So it has happened again and I need some help. I have seen on here people talking about needing to check dental cleaning supplies while at the dentist office. I have an appointment next week (my first since diagnosis) and so I called them yesterday to give them a head-up on my new diagnosis and also to give them time to find out about the gluten in their products. Well of courseeeeee they say they've never heard of gluten and no one has asked about it before in the office. (great!) I live in a relatively well-sized city with multiple gluten free menus in different restaurants, large celiac support group, etc, so I KNOW I'm not the only one in the city that has these concerns. Anyway...... the woman says let me find out and call you tomorrow. So I get a phone call this morning from her saying that she had one of the dental assistants check the ingredients and I'm all good b/c gluten is not listed as an ingredient. Of course I have to go through the whole thing where I have to explain that gluten itself will not be listed, they need to look for other keywords etc, and could they contact the manufacturer and ask them b/c they are likely to know what sort of excipients are in things. Now, I'm waiting....... My question for everyone, what do you do in these situations? I always end up feeling like I am not getting a for sure certain answer to feel comfortable that gluten is not in things, like pills, dental stuff, etc. How do you get thru to people? HOw do you find out for sure if it's safe? I am having so many problems with this. Food is not a big deal, if I can't find out for sure I just don't eat it, but for example, I can't just stop going to the dentist forever. How do you help people get a clue??

I plan to do what Richard suggested, call the company of the products. My dental office had no clue as well.

[SGWhiskers]

I call two weeks in advance for a list of all products and then make the calls myself. I've run into the problem of arriving and being placed in a booth that is stocked with different items for some reason, and making them hunt down the safe items from other booths and back room storage.

[Kim27]

*UPDATE* Well the dentist office called me back again. They said that they couldn't know for sure so they were gonna fax me the product information so I could look at the ingredients. Well, I think they should have to know what is in their products, but I guess that's besides the point. I said okay, thinking I could pretty much tell from the ingredients or I would then know the manufacturer so I could call them and they would surely know. Well the manufacturer phone number was right on the sheet so I went ahead and called information. The woman was very nice and said NONE of their pastes (cleaning stuff) contain gluten and that it is written right on the box "contains no gluten"!!!! At least I know now and know it's safe, but I must say, the people at that office are either really stupid or didn't even bother to look at the box in the first place!!!!!!!!! ugh!!