... but we don't have time for that now!
The bigger question is "should your doctor date you?" And the answer is "no".
Everyone in the healthcare field learns ethical guidelines for dealing with attraction, from massage therapists, to nurses and doctors. (I don't know about dentists.)
They shouldn't ever ask you out, or let you know they're attracted to you.
You can ask them out, however.
After all, you're not bound by professional ethics, just personal ones.
If they're ethical (and interested in you), they might respond in a variety of ways:
They will/should refer you to another doctor/therapist at the very least.
Then they might ask if you could give them a call at home after a period of time passes (like three to six months or more).
If they work for a medical group, they -- ethically and perhaps by the groups employment rules -- may have to discuss this with their peers/supervisors, for example in a case review session. Even if independent, they may seek the advice of peer professionals.
In other words, they have to really want to date you. Exams and treatments are not "get to know you" sessions for people in the healthcare field. Really.
I hope this answer helps.
If you're immediately attracted to your doctor and would seriously consider dating them, the best action is for you to say (before they've examined you!) "Wow. I can't keep this appointment today. I find you really attractive and that's making me uncomfortable in this situation. If you'd ever like to have coffee, give me a call." And then leave your card, because it would be breaking the law for them to call you off the information in your chart for a personal reason.
Of course, you might just find out that the doctor is straight and married, and now you've lost a good doctor!
If you feel you're being hit on by one of your doctors, that's a much bigger problem, because it indicates they: (1) Don't have good personal boundaries, (2) don't abide by the ethics and laws of their field, and (3) are probably doing it to other people too.
Ick. Ick. That means that no matter how hot they appear in a white lab coat, they're not very good date material.
If you're really into healthcare professionals, I advise leaving your own alone and start having lunch in your local hospital cafeteria.
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