Do you trust your Dentist???

[FierceAXboi]

So heres what happens....I go to the Dentist twice a year for my checkup and cleanup. Last semptember when I went the Dentist claimed my teeth were cleaner then his and that I took really good care of them. Today I go and the hygienist sees me for my clean up......Now I should mention I have insurance and that my cleanup is covered 100% by the insurance. As soon as I mention this the cleanup I want.....They change there attitude like if its a waste of my time and there time for me to do that cleanup. That I should do the one thats the next level up which I would have to pay out of pocket. Well I tell them no thank you and I want the ones that covered. Well five mins into the exam the hygienist begins saying that my teeth are very "bad" . All of a sudden I have Periodontal desease and my teeth are going to fall off soon. She begins to show me pictures of people with teeth that look rotten and have fallen out. Now this is the same woman that a few months ago said my teeth where great. Now there going to fall of soon. In order for them not to fall of I have to pay and take some $ 80 medication. They told me they needed to give me a STM # 2 cleaning but would charge the insurace for a STM # 1 so that way I would not pay that much....Well i told them no thank you and I left. As soon as I got home I called my insurance to ask what they cover and guess what I am covered 100% for the treatment the doctor wanted to charge me for.

 

[Knight]

Two words...

Second opinion!

 

[azgal81]

Yes I trust my dentist. Sounds like you need to look for a new one. That is crazy!

 

[DreaGirl]

I hate to say this, but my dentist did the same thing. The first time I went to this dentist, I hadn't been to the dentist in a while. So, I thought that it might be correct. They wanted to see me in 3 months because my teeth/gums were so bad. So, they give me a 'script for toothpaste and mouthwash. I brush/floss/wash 4 times a day for 3 months. Go back, they say no change, so I need a deep cleaning. Go back 3 months later after doing everything they said and it has not changed. Deep clean again. I was so frustrated.

So, I get prego, go during second trimester to a new hygenist, she says my teeth/gums look good, probably slight bleeding due to rise in hormones. So, then I say, so I can stop using the special toothpaste/mouthwash 4 times a day, and she looks at me strange. The dentist comes in, BAM, oh my, still no change!

Whatever. My 6 month is coming up and I'm finding a new dentist. My advice is to find a new dentist. I paid so much money for the special dental products and over my insurance for the 3 month appointments and deep cleaning. If it turns out to be nothing I'm going to be so mad!

 

[MeMom]

I'm lucky. My dentist is a friend of the family through my kids' school. I've known him and worked on school activities with him for about twenty years. I trust him all the way. He's a really good guy.

 

[rcraw45425]

Another happy client here. Our Dentist and DH went to High School together and were in the same marching band. He's great with our kids (he has 4 of his own, so he gets on their level ) and his charges are reasonable ( we are private pay ) .

 

[Beca]

The older I get, the less I trust doctors, dentists, or any other traditional medical personnel.

I went to the dentist, and he told me my teeth looked pretty good (mostly 2's, a few 3's and one 4....not bad, considering it had been over a year since I had my last cleaning). He then sends me in to speak with one of his "assistants" who would set up a cleaning schedule for me. She wants to see me every three months for the next year. I thought that was a little "strange" for someone whose teeth were "pretty good". When I inquired about the cost for the additional two cleanings that insurance would not cover, she told me they were $500 each....but, definitely something I needed.

Fast fwd a month to when my dh goes in to have his "emergency" antibiotics placed under his gums because his teeth were "in danger area" (to the tune of $1000 after insurance), and dh comes home to tell me that my "emergency antibiotics" had been scheduled for the next week. What??!!!! My teeth went from "pretty good", to "need 4 cleanings in a year" to "emergency antibiotics" placed under my gums.

Granted, this is a hoity-toity dentist office where you are offered beverages and snacks while you wait....but, this guy was a total scammer.

I'd love to find a dentist that I trust.

 

[DreaGirl]

The older I get, the less I trust doctors, dentists, or any other traditional medical personnel.

I went to the dentist, and he told me my teeth looked pretty good (mostly 2's, a few 3's and one 4....not bad, considering it had been over a year since I had my last cleaning). He then sends me in to speak with one of his "assistants" who would set up a cleaning schedule for me. She wants to see me every three months for the next year. I thought that was a little "strange" for someone whose teeth were "pretty good". When I inquired about the cost for the additional two cleanings that insurance would not cover, she told me they were $500 each....but, definitely something I needed.

Fast fwd a month to when my dh goes in to have his "emergency" antibiotics placed under his gums because his teeth were "in danger area" (to the tune of $1000 after insurance), and dh comes home to tell me that my "emergency antibiotics" had been scheduled for the next week. What??!!!! My teeth went from "pretty good", to "need 4 cleanings in a year" to "emergency antibiotics" placed under my gums.

Granted, this is a hoity-toity dentist office where you are offered beverages and snacks while you wait....but, this guy was a total scammer.

I'd love to find a dentist that I trust.

I'm surprised my dentist didn't require emergency antibiotics. I just told DH and he laughed and said,"I'm sure they will say you need that next!"

On a side note, the dentist told my DH the same thing, but he just refused.

 

[Disney Doll]

I do trust my dentist. If I have used up all my dental coverage for the current year, and he finds something minor (ie- a small cavity), he has been known to "watch" it until the next year, so we can get insurance to pay for it. Again, this is for minor things...if there something major I think he would level with me, insurance or not.

 

[delilah]

I think the dentist we see now is ok. Not great, just ok, and I found out how much worse some others. I have been with this particular practice ever since I moved into the area 15 years ago. I really liked the original dentist, but, unfortunately, he is no longer there. I started to have "problems" with the other dentists in the practice several years ago, when I felt like one of my teeth was cracking. His associate couldn't find anything wrong with the tooth where I perceived the sensation, but the one next to it needed a crown. Fine. Well, 6 mos after the crown, which did nothing for the cracking sensation, the original tooth broke. Another crown and root canal. Then, I had the same situation on the opposite side, same teeth. Once again, I felt a cracking sensation in a tooth. I was told there was nothing to be seen wrong with the tooth. Three months later, less than a week before I was leaving on a Continuing Medical Education trip, the tooth broke. I had to beg to have an emergency appointment to put a temporary crown on the tooth. The dentist was actually going to drill down the tooth and leave it bare and open until I returned from my trip. That sucker hurt like the dickens, and I said "no way". So, she prepped it for the crown, put on a temporary, and I returned after my trip to get my permanent crown. When the crown was placed, she neglected to numb my tooth, and that tooth hurt like fire. It was the worst pain I have ever had in my entire life. My jaw hurt for months afterward, so much so, I went to a different dentist.

This is when I discovered how much better my original dentist was. This fellow told me that the crown needed to be replaced because the original root line was exposed. This was the case, but, it was only about three weeks after the crown was placed. He told me that it would cost as much as the original crown for him to redo the job. I decided that I would wait a few more months, and went back to the original dentist. I almost sought a third opinion, but, now I am satisfied with the crown. That second dentist, though, is a hustler, and I wouldn't trust his opinion on anything.

 

[honeymom]

I had a wonderful dentist. But, she passed away in November of breast cancer at age 48. I meet the new dentist next week. After Dr. Wyers death, I then found out that my oral surgeon (I had a wisdom tooth removed last year) was hit by a dumptruck while he was cycling. While he survived, his body was so shattered that he will likely no longer be able to practice his profession. I am feeling that I am a curse to good dentists.

 

[SillyMe]

I don't really trust mine. I go every 6 months for a cleaning. At my one cleanup, they asked me why I never scheduled my appt to have my cavity filled. What cavity? They never even told me I had one.

 

[FierceAXboi]

Its sad when you cant trust a doctor

 

[powellrj]

We have been using the same dentist for over 20 years. I really trust him, but I can't say the same about the hygienist. Most of the work I have had done he has done over the years. Yes I have some big fillings, but his thinking has always been keep them until they give you trouble. He was the one who did the fillings to begin with.

The last few times I get one certain hygienist she is always trying to up sell me on services I don't want. How bad my filling are, how I am just asking for trouble..... Funny thing is the dentist never says a word about it nor do the other hygienists in the office. Now I try to find out what days she works so I can avoid her.

 

[Nicolepa]

My dentist is my FIL and he never charges us. I hope I trust him!

Actually I have 2 dentists. Since my FIL is in Florida I see him when we are in town, but he insists that any major work (anything more than a small cavity) by done locally in case a problem exists. Everyone in my town sees this guy, he's very involved in the high school etc. I love him. He know's my FIL is a denstist, therefor a second opinion is always an option for us, so he tells it like it is.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Yes I trust my dentist. His expertise speaks for itself and his staff and he are not into upselling by creating faux problems that DNE.

 

[Forevryoung]

My dad is a dentist- he is calm, patient and one of the best. He is 110% honest with every single patient he sees. If he sees a problem or a potential problem, he gives every possible treatment and the potential outcomes of each. Then the decision is up to you. He will always be honest about what his suggestion is but he will never push. I know this for a fact- I worked for him for several summers.

He doesn't "take" insurance- you pay the difference out of pocket. That way his time and treatment are never dictated by a 3rd party. He is also super up front about costs.

I'm sorry there are dentists out there who take advantage of their patients.

 

[missj1975]

I don't trust dentist's anymore either. I have never had a problem with my teeth. I have moved so much that I have had at least five different dentists that never reported a problem with my teeth. So I went to a new dentist last year and she says I have Peridontal disease and scares me with pictures of my teeth falling out and telling me about all these treatments I am going to need. So I go to a different dentist and guess what, nothing wrong besides a slight case of gingivitis.

 

[PlainJane]

My uncle is my Dentist, so yes there is a high level of trust there.

Definately get a second opinion.

 

[sorcerormickey]

We really like our Dentist - in fact we go back to her office in Michigan when we need something done. (My Boyfriend moreso than I - I am a bit of a Dentist chicken!!)