Community Chat

[KathyPet]

Am I the only one who somehow feels that dentists today are primarily interested in getting you to,spend as much money as possible with them to the point where they are getting really pushy. The last two times I have been into my dentist for a cleaning and check up I have been told that one of my molars is showing decay and needs to come out and be replaced with a crown. I have had no problem with the tooth and while I understand that the tooth could "give way" at any time I would prefer to stave off this procedure. At both visits I told the dentist I appreciated the diagnosis and would seriously consider it. Today I got a call from their office wanting to know if I was ready to schedule the removal. say what??? What amuses me is that they do not send me any reminders or call when I need just a cleaning and check up. I have to remember that on my own but when it comes to the big buck procedures they are quick to follow up. This makes me wonder how much I really need to have this work,done and how much they need the income.

[Cakers1]

Kathypet: No, my dentist doesn't push for any procedure. His rates are reasonable, too, compared to others in my area. Clean rooms and the only complaint I have is that I usually don't get the same hygienist; most of his are interns from dental school. But that's ok, really - they need the practice.

Sorry yours does that; maybe you need to shop around.

[vermint]

I agree, KathyPet! I've been going to the same practice for more than 30 years, but my original dentist retired a few years ago due to poor health. Very rarely did I have to have anything done other than cleaning/x-rays...2-3 crowns over 30 years. Same with my husband. Now, Every.Single.Time we go in for a cleaning one of us is advised to come back for something else.

Some of this is probably due to the fact that we are older, but every time?

[kdgn]

My dentist, who I just saw for a routine cleaning, is in a single doctor office. I don't get any pressure for anything to be done. This last visit showed I need some work done on a permanent bridge. He told me what needed to be done and why and the appointment is scheduled. He also told me there is a filling that needs to be watched. I asked if it was time to replace it now and he said no, he'll look at it again in 6 months at my next cleaning. He explained what it was doing, why that indicated replacing it but it's not at the top of the "to do" list.

He also gave me my options on what may be a failing root canal. Again, no pressure, we're taking a wait and see attitude. If I decide to have the root canal done over I will be sent to an oral surgeon. If I decide to have the tooth pulled, he'll do it. The decision is mine and he went over the potential consequences of pulling the tooth.

We both get the postcards reminding us it's time for the dental cleaning and it's sent out a month in advance. We get a call the day before reminding us of the appointment time.

I like my dentist and his staff. Small office, good service.

[Cakers1]

On 9/11/2014 kdgn said:

My dentist, who I just saw for a routine cleaning, is in a single doctor office.

I like my dentist and his staff. Small office, good service.

I think this could be an issue - some of those larger offices have so much office staff let alone so many hygienists/assistants - no wonder they push - the paychecks alone must cut deep into profit.

But there will always be some dentists out for mucho dinero.

[FrostyBabe]

My dentist is a single practioner, and they are certainly pushing cosmetic procedures. It got to the point where when they told me I need to fill out paperwork to update my file, it was all about which cosmetic procedures you'd be interested in. I gave it back to the receptionist blank and said I have no interest in cosmetic dentistry and if that's the way the practice is going, I appreciated knowing so that I could find a different dentist. They backpedaled quickly, but still try to get me to do all kinds of unnecessary things when I go in for cleanings. I don't have dental insurance (private policies are very expensive and don't provide much in the way of coverage) and I think they see me as a source of revenue. I did let them know how I felt and said I would only agree to procedures that insurance would cover (as in once every 5-7 years for full mouth x-rays, not every year). They still push and I still say no. If it weren't for the great hygenist that I see, I would definitely look for a different dentist.

[gazelle77]

I totally GET what you are saying. Everytime I go to the dentist there is something that they point out needing attention. Now I have 59 year old teeth, and yes, I do have issues to be addressed... but I also need to watch my bank account and just can not afford to fix everything right NOW.

I just crowned two teeth with old mercury fillings... they had cracks in them like you were talking about and with my upcoming surgery on my hip, I wanted it taken care of before surgery. I have one more molar left with a mercury filling that needs a crown( will fix later). The two teeth I crowned cost me out of pocket WITH GOOD INSURANCE-- $1200.

I take extra good care of my teeth, but, still have recession, and my teeth are not perfect white. I would love to have a movie star smile,( I do not) but, really, at this point in my life, I just want to have healthy teeth, that do not hurt. IF I could afford to have $50,000 worth of restoration and have a movie star smile, I would do it gladly. But until that happens, I just try to keep up with my teeth, fix them as I need to and can afford to. They are not movie star beautiful... it seems that is what the dentist now strive for with their patients. Crowns are not a perfect fix either.... you get decay UNDER crowns usually which down the road leads to the nerve dying and a root canal. As they are now pushing implants at $5000 a tooth... it is just so out of touch with reality to the average consumer. So, it just basically NEVER ENDS.

[straykatz]

I get what the OP is saying....everytime I go to the dentist it's no longer just a routine cleaning checkup....but they want to do xrays multiple times per year because the insurance will pay for them....that annoys me beyond words....I don't care if they will pay for 12 xrays per year....1 time per year is sufficient and IMO my mouth/throat/thyroid/etc. does not need multiple exposures per year to radiation just because the insurance is willing to pay for them!!

[gazelle77]

On 9/11/2014 straykatz said:

I get what the OP is saying....everytime I go to the dentist it's no longer just a routine cleaning checkup....but they want to do xrays multiple times per year because the insurance will pay for them....that annoys me beyond words....I don't care if they will pay for 12 xrays per year....1 time per year is sufficient and IMO my mouth/throat/thyroid/etc. does not need multiple exposures per year to radiation just because the insurance is willing to pay for them!!

Yes-- x rays and fluoride treatment are pushed!!!!

[OnlyShopsOnline]

On 9/11/2014 straykatz said:

I get what the OP is saying....everytime I go to the dentist it's no longer just a routine cleaning checkup....but they want to do xrays multiple times per year because the insurance will pay for them....that annoys me beyond words....I don't care if they will pay for 12 xrays per year....1 time per year is sufficient and IMO my mouth/throat/thyroid/etc. does not need multiple exposures per year to radiation just because the insurance is willing to pay for them!!

Exactly! The x-rays seem to be a big thing. I think it is because the new digital x-ray equipment is so expensive.

I recently changed dentists because of this. The last time I went to my previous dentist, I had a new hygienist who was brutalizing my gums trying to insert the digital x-ray apparatus. I finally told her to stop and not do any x-rays.

After my cleaning, the dentist came in and did his usual cursory exam and then started palpating my throat. He said I had swelling in my throat and should see my doctor. I questioned him, but couldn't get a straight answer from him.

I have thyroid disease and had just been to my endocrinologist the day before. I called my endo and he asked me "why he was touching my neck." However, I was concerned so he told me to make an appointment with my ENT doc. Of course, my ENT doc couldn't find any abnormalities. This dentist was being spiteful because I wouldn't allow the x-rays.

We know one other person that used to go to this dentist. And, he said he had a similar experience when he declined the x-rays.

I see a periodontist twice a year, and a regular dentist twice a year. I love my periodontist. And, even though he could really try to make a lot of money off of his patients, he is very conservative. However, it's really hard to find a good general dentist. And, I'm not too crazy about the new one I saw a few weeks ago either.