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Dear Listmates -

I could sure use some help on this one:

I am in the far South Suburbs of Chicago.  I need a dentist
that won't object to the fact I need to check that everything
that goes in my mouth is gluten-free.

Here's what happened with my (now) FORMER dentist today:

My dentist is away - on leave until September.  I've never met
her associate, but need a dentist (pain in a tooth that has a crown).

Her associate requested an updated medical history, and I faxed one to
her.  I hadn't been to the dentist in three years, which is before I was
diagnosed Celiac. I spent considerable time updating my medical history
on my computer.

This dentist then read the medical history, and called and said they
couldn't take a patient's word for a condition, and requested a letter
from my doctor stating that I am Celiac, before she would see me.

I faxed my current gastroenterologist.  His office faxed a 4-page
medical history to the dentist in question, AND the letter I had faxed
to him requesting a letter be faxed to the dentist - which wasn't what I
asked him to do - Just to fax a letter stating I was Celiac.

The fax I sent to the gastroenterologist was, of course, confidential.
It mentioned that I found the dentist's request strange, and that she
had asked me to prove that I am Celiac and provide a doctor's letter,
and wouldn't just take my word for it.  She had specifically said that
they couldn't just take the patient's word for it and needed a doctor's
letter, when she first called me previously.

The dentist in question read the 4-page medical history from the
gastroenterologist, phoned the dentist on leave, phoned their attorneys,

and called me up and told me they can't treat me - Go elsewhere.  She
said they can't accomodate my medical problems.

She said my fax letter to the gastroenterologist showed I didn't have
confidence in her, and that I had affected the dentist - patient
relationship.

I told her that she had already done that when I had no credibility with
her and she asked for a doctor's letter that states I am a Celiac.

She then claimed that she had asked for a letter from my doctor for
consent for treatment, and does that for any medical condition (such as
mitral valve prolapse, etc.). That isn't what she told me previously.

She claims they have treated a few Celiacs before, and no one insisted
on checking everything (for gluten-free).  I told her that they didn't
know to check everything out, but might in the future when they know
more about hidden glutens.

Know a good dentist here who won't object to the fact that I am
Celiac and check if everything going in my mouth is gluten-free?

Thanks, group.  I've never run into anything like this before.  It has
been an upsetting day.  My fax to the gastroenterologist should
have been confidential.

Of course, the dentist would have reacted the same way. Their clinic
doesn't want to be bothered with someone who needs everything
gluten-free and checks if everything is.  Where do I find a dentist
that understands they don't have to call their attorneys if a patient
has Celiac Sprue and needs to check that what goes in the mouth
is gluten-free??

Thanks for the help and support!

Vicki