Does the dentist understand customer expectations?

I went to the dentist today. I'm not a big fan of dentists (bad experiences with braces, etc. as a kid). I seem to change dentists regularly because they just don't connect to me (or maybe I don't connect to them). Anyway, I chose this dentist because when I called their office the person answering the phones was wonderful. She was reassuring and concerned about my comfort level. Now, I get to the dentist and I'm one of those people who share my expectations up front (I find it makes it easier to figure out if you can get along or not). I told the dentist that the way to get me to come back and even consider treatments was to not tell me about the whole hoard of problems I have and how much MUST be done IMMEDIATELY. He was better than most; but, he still came up with a whole list of issues -- who knew that silver fillings you got decades ago weren't supposed to last more than 10 years. What? Are you kidding? So, now I have to have those drilled out and replaced? And you want to do it with crowns? I have one crown in my mouth now and that gives me more problems than any other tooth -- and you want me to get more?

Then, he said since he had taken so long to go over the plan, he didn't feel I should get my teeth cleaned today. I should come back. I told him, if I didn't get my cleaning today I wouldn't be back -- that's the main reason I went to the dentist. I'll give them points. They did my cleaning, and Crystal, the hygienist, did a great job.

I don't understand how come I set the expectations but that didn't matter. If I was the dentist, I would have said, "You have a couple concerns for the future, but for now, I would consider getting a simple filling replaced and then after you're comfortable with current dental practices and with me, we'll talk about a future plan." Since that's not what he did, I did it to myself. I made an appointment to get one simple filling replaced and after that, I'll decide the future.

Guess I have to handle my own expectations. People, it's about the customer -- not about you. If someone tells you how they need to be handled, can't you at least try to meet their expectations?

Now I'm going to do some online research -- do the old-fashioned fillings really go bad after a while?