Having time off for dental procedures isn't something that can always be planned or helped. A few years ago, I went for a routine dental check up. The dentist told me I needed to get the one wisdom tooth out ASAP as it was about to mess up all of my orthodontic work, and referred me to the oral surgeon who said he could do it the next Monday or else I would have to wait for over a month.

Turns out that he didn't realize that my tooth was still impacted, and also that the x-rays showed that I needed more than one out. So that was a wasted day off because I had to come back the next day to go under anesthesia. I then wasn't allowed to drive for 24 hours after the sedation, and on top of that was on narcotics for pain, so I definitely couldn't drive until the pain was manageable.

The doctor actually suggested that I take a week off, but I took two days. I was in pain the next day, especially when one of my charges accidentally whacked me in the face with a toy and almost popped a stitch.

If you aren't having any other problems with your nanny I wouldn't see this as a red flag. Not everything can be planned perfectly 100% of the time, and it is better for her to tell you three days and not need them than for her to only take one and leave you scrambling if something ends up happening.

Anonymous wrote:Spring break. Have her make the appointment during your spring break trip.

She should wait 2 months? You're just awful.

Spring break. Have her make the appointment during your spring break trip.

I would give her the three days especially since she will work around your schedule. If you notice she asks for more time off then reevaluate. Life happens and not everyone's wisdom teeth cause problems until they are impacted. I'm sure she would rather work and get paid vs taking unpaid leave. The surgeon probably recommended 3 days off and then the weekend. The 3rd day after extractions is the worst and when pain and swelling are at its highest. The risk of dry sockets is also high during that time. I would have her schedule it on Wednesday to give her Thursday Friday Saturday and Sunday to recover.

Nanny-formerly dental hygienist

I would give her the time off and pay her.
She's handling this responsibly.
Treating her with suspicion as if she's done something wrong when she hasn't isn't right in my opinion.

I started a job everything was fine and then suddenly I had horrible pain. Turns out it was my wisdom teeth. I went to an emergency dentist to get them out. The dad was home that week. I only asked for that day off. They fired me. Turns out my tooth was impacted and a vein was wrapped around it.
I guess they thought I was flaky. Although I had raving reviews from my previous families. I found a job a few weeks later and stayed with that family for 5 yrs until they moved.

Anonymous wrote:To the people saying she should have scheduled the surgery earlier or to change surgeons .... It's very possible that she didn't have the resources to schedule a surgery before taking the job, or that she didn't know she'd need the surgery. It's also possible that it's very hard for her to switch surgeons. She might have insurance issues or, if she doesn't have dental insurance, she might be getting a better deal with this surgeon.

Having your wisdom teeth removed can involve a painful recovery. The older you are, the worse it tends to get.

OP, I would give her the benefit of the doubt.

And my dentist won't pull teeth on Fridays, because if the patient has any complications after surgery, such as infection, he wants to be in the office and available.

And I found out that I needed my wisdom teeth pulled at my semiannual visit--she might have just had a checkup and discovered the issue. She's offering to work around your schedule and take unpaid leave--doesn't seem like she's much of a moocher.

To the people saying she should have scheduled the surgery earlier or to change surgeons .... It's very possible that she didn't have the resources to schedule a surgery before taking the job, or that she didn't know she'd need the surgery. It's also possible that it's very hard for her to switch surgeons. She might have insurance issues or, if she doesn't have dental insurance, she might be getting a better deal with this surgeon.

Having your wisdom teeth removed can involve a painful recovery. The older you are, the worse it tends to get.

OP, I would give her the benefit of the doubt.

Unless it was an emergency, OPs nanny likely knew about this before she started employment. Now it is on the nanny to find surgeon with better hours so early into new job.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Her oral surgeon only pulls teeth on Tuesday and Wednesday. And she said she will get a note.

I would use a different oral surgeon. One open on Fridays that pulls teeth.

She should change surgeons for the convenience of her employers?
That's asking a lot. I know my dentist and am only comfortable with him working on my teeth.

Seriously. You can't expect someone to find a new, unknown oral surgeon for your own convenience! That's absurd. Not to mention insurance issues.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Her oral surgeon only pulls teeth on Tuesday and Wednesday. And she said she will get a note.

I would use a different oral surgeon. One open on Fridays that pulls teeth.

She should change surgeons for the convenience of her employers?
That's asking a lot. I know my dentist and am only comfortable with him working on my teeth.

Anonymous wrote:Her oral surgeon only pulls teeth on Tuesday and Wednesday. And she said she will get a note.

I would use a different oral surgeon. One open on Fridays that pulls teeth.

Anonymous wrote:Red flag.

She should have had them taken out before looking for a job.

Isn't she going to need add'l time off to recover?

I would look for another nanny.

One w/out wisdom teeth.

Hahahaha....

If her surgeon doesn't work on Fridays, she won't be able to schedule her appointment so that she has the weekend to recover and minimizes her time out of work.

Her oral surgeon only pulls teeth on Tuesday and Wednesday. And she said she will get a note.