Wow, some dentists need a clue

[JoeyP]

My previous dentist did what he called an Oral Cancer Schreening (yes, he pronounced it that way, and added "very important"). Each time he did this, it NEVER took more than 2 seconds, and I actually counted in my head.

The cost? $35.

I get the importance of this, but really? $35?

 

[soulcougher73]

This right here will make dentist irrelevant in the future

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caries_vaccine

unfortunately as with any "cure", money gets in the way. Much more money to be made treating something rather than curing it. Same with cancer/aids etc.

 

[OutHouse]

My previous dentist did what he called an Oral Cancer Schreening (yes, he pronounced it that way, and added "very important"). Each time he did this, it NEVER took more than 2 seconds, and I actually counted in my head.

The cost? $35.

I get the importance of this, but really? $35?

hey it takes years of training to look in a mouth and see a white or black spot....


i hate dentist, rip off artist.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

All dentists are like that. They're worse than chiropractors

Yup. Hard to find good doctors nowadays

 

[AznAnarchy99]

My previous dentist did what he called an Oral Cancer Schreening (yes, he pronounced it that way, and added "very important"). Each time he did this, it NEVER took more than 2 seconds, and I actually counted in my head.

The cost? $35.

I get the importance of this, but really? $35?

The worse is co pays for a check up. Not necessarily the doctor's fault but more of my insurance. I had to pay $35 to see the doc for him to tell me that Im getting better but not there yet and to come back in a month. Ugh.

 

[bignateyk]

Meh, I haven't been to a dentist in like 8 years. Every time I go they want to fry my brain with useless X-Rays.

 

[ichy]

unfortunately as with any "cure", money gets in the way. Much more money to be made treating something rather than curing it. Same with cancer/aids etc.

Bullshit. The real reason there's no cure for cancer is that it's an incredibly difficult disease to defeat.

 

[shopbruin]

I don't know, my dentist has never tried to upsell me on anything and I've been going there for many years. The closest they ever came was when they hygienist mentioned they now have some high-powered whitening treatment available, but never went beyond that.

So they aren't ALL like that.

I think the younger dentists are more in the upsell game. Thoughts as to why:
1. Dental school is flipping expensive. I was looking it up since a friend of my sister was just accepted into dental school - 400k over four years. Cripes. (And she's specializing in a field that won't help me out! I thought I was finally going to have a dentist friend that won't rip me off.)

2. Dental offices aren't the same as before - the newer ones I've been in (of younger dentists) tend to be more calming, soothing, with more gadgets (TVs for you to watch while being worked on, etc.)

3. Younger dentists are much more into preventive care, recommending so many procedures. Older ones tend to be "eh it can wait. It's not dire. Just hold off. We can do this instead." My dentist wants me to come in every three months for a cleaning. I have to pay for the extra two cleanings out of pocket/FSA.

I know I always feel ripped off at the dentist; on the other hand, I probably could use the procedures. Hence the balance problems.

 

[JoeyP]

Bullshit. The real reason there's no cure for cancer is that it's an incredibly difficult disease to defeat.

Defeat? How about working on preventing it?

 

[steppinthrax]

I think the younger dentists are more in the upsell game. Thoughts as to why:
1. Dental school is flipping expensive. I was looking it up since a friend of my sister was just accepted into dental school - 400k over four years. Cripes. (And she's specializing in a field that won't help me out! I thought I was finally going to have a dentist friend that won't rip me off.)

2. Dental offices aren't the same as before - the newer ones I've been in (of younger dentists) tend to be more calming, soothing, with more gadgets (TVs for you to watch while being worked on, etc.)

3. Younger dentists are much more into preventive care, recommending so many procedures. Older ones tend to be "eh it can wait. It's not dire. Just hold off. We can do this instead." My dentist wants me to come in every three months for a cleaning. I have to pay for the extra two cleanings out of pocket/FSA.

I know I always feel ripped off at the dentist; on the other hand, I probably could use the procedures. Hence the balance problems.

Did you ask her how much she's going to be making once she starts working?

 

[NoCreativity]

Wouldn't go to your guy again. Not only because of the calls but the whole 3 cavities in a week comment as well as the insurance issue.

Maybe make a trip to the office and kindly ask them in person to quit harassing you. Preferably when the waiting room is full

I've been to 4 or 5 different dentists in my life. The only call I got from any of them was to remind me of my appointment. Of those 4 or 5, only one drilled at the first sign of cavity.

My current dentist waited ~8 years to fill 2 cavities because they were small and weren't getting bigger until the last year. The hygienist always mentions the teeth whitening options at some point but it's not a hard sell at all.

Maybe I'm just lucky to live in an area with a lot of good choices. Feel bad for those of you with bad experiences.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Did you ask her how much she's going to be making once she starts working?

The way Dentist industry looking right now......she will be lucky to get paid PERIOD

 

[Corporate Thug]

The way Dentist industry looking right now......she will be lucky to get paid PERIOD

Is it that bad? I know of one "new" dentist (now 1 year out of dental school) and she pulls in 6 figures working for a dental office (not her own practice).

 

[OutHouse]

a friend of my sister was just accepted into dental school - 400k over four year

what school?

 

[sjwaste]

Is it that bad? I know of one "new" dentist (now 1 year out of dental school) and she pulls in 6 figures working for a dental office (not her own practice).

However bad the dental industry is, I'm pretty sure we can one up them. The legal industry, folding like a lawn chair since 2008.

 

[clamum]

...WTF am I supposed to say to them to make them get the damn point?

Go to office, open door slightly, toss in grenade, run.

J/k but I'm not sure, the dentist I've had since I was a toddler is f'ing awesome (so is his son).

 

[Corporate Thug]

However bad the dental industry is, I'm pretty sure we can one up them. The legal industry, folding like a lawn chair since 2008.

x100000000000000000

 

[TXHokie]

Just visited the dentist today and looks like I have two root canals that needed to be done by year's end - FML.

 

[Vdubchaos]

However bad the dental industry is, I'm pretty sure we can one up them. The legal industry, folding like a lawn chair since 2008.

True true

We have 2 new people that just passed a Bar exam as "support" staff.

One of them paid for their bar exam with credit card too.....and has 0 available credit (from what I hear).

 

[OutHouse]

Just visited the dentist today and looks like I have two root canals that needed to be done by year's end - FML.

hope you have insurance. thats about 1200 each.

 

[Raizinman]

I had one of my canine teeth stained from coffee. I spoke to my dentist about it and he said that he would recommend a piece of plastic to be glued to the tooth. Takes about 30 minutes and is not that expensive. I said go ahead and do both so they will match. It was supposed to be $400. I doze off in the chair not really paying attention when I see a crown being fitted. I ask his assistant what is going on, it was supposed to be an overlay of some sort. He immediately calls the dentist who comes in and says that they tried the overlay and it just didn't look right so they decided to put in two crowns. It as my impression that since I did not approve it, they were paying for it. Not so. I got billed $650 for each crown. I never went back.

 

[her209]

You're a rabid anti-dentite OP.

 

[Corporate Thug]

You're a rabid anti-dentite OP.

certainly am.

 

[sjwaste]

x100000000000000000

True true

We have 2 new people that just passed a Bar exam as "support" staff.

One of them paid for their bar exam with credit card too.....and has 0 available credit (from what I hear).

Ugh. I kind of just gave up. My eyes are open for a new opportunity to practice law, but after my former agency got downsized out of existence I went back to the business world. I technically left before the doors were closed, so I suppose I could have been transferred, but I had very little seniority and a stable (and well-paying) opportunity thankfully presented itself. I keep telling SoxFan he should hire me, even though I'm not a patent lawyer and can't qualify as one.

For the aspiring lawyers out there, it's never a bad idea to go to school at night and diversify your skill set.

I'm now at a (public) university and love the environment here.

 

[andylawcc]

no one said this yet?

Paging Dr. lovely human! Paging Dr. lovely human!