I had an amazing dentist while I lived in Japan, never upsold. There was a complication after a root canal (which I heard is just inherent possibility) and then they took full accountability and fixed the issue without charging me a dime.
For some reason when I was living in Jersey City about 7 years ago, there was a lack of dermatologists in the area that took my insurance and were also taking new patients. I finally found one, made an appointment, and went in for a full skin exam. I waited for about 20 minutes after my appointment time, finally was called in, the dermatologist commented that someone my age (late 20s) shouldn't have any acne on their chest and tried to prescribe and sell me a bunch of ointments directly from his office. He spent maybe 2 minutes looking at me and definitely didn't do a full skin exam.
A couple of years ago I moved and had to find a new PCP. Went to the first one I could find that was close-ish and took my insurance. While I'm in the waiting room, I see 50% of the people leaving with these packs of meal replacement shakes for weight loss. When I was finally called back, I see a bunch of signs about subscriptions for the shakes and all of the different flavors they had. I ended up getting a physical from the PA in the office instead of the physician that I had made my appointment with. I have nothing against PAs or NPs, but I expect to see the physician I make my appointment with. The whole thing was so shady that I ended up just finding a new PCP.
My father (80) and I have the same (genetic) heart condition. My current and previous cardiologist (due to a move) ordered a week long heart rhythm recorder, noting that doing this every 2-3 years was the standard of care for the condition, to catch irregularities before they become serious.
My father's current and 2 previous cardiologists did not. They ended up having to do an urgent pacemaker implant since he was frequently on the verge of passing out in his apartment due to an irregular rhythm.
One of these two groups of Drs is very wrong.
A few years ago there was a story floating around about a young dentist who purchased a practice from a retiring dentist, and the practice wasn't making as much money as it should have.
He reviewed patient records and realized that the prior dentist was performing a lot of unnecessary procedures; and contacted the patients. Some patients had persistant pain from the unnecessary procedures, too.
There was at least one lawsuit, from what I remember. I think it had to do with the prior dentist misrepresenting the business's value.
I had one dentist tell me I needed 6 cavities filled. Let him do two and then went to another dentist who told me all my teeth were good. I've only ever had problems with the two teeth the first guy drilled.
Later a dentist wanted to drill another few teeth that were hurting. I instead got a better toothbrush and all the issues went away.
I Denmark we're talking about including dentistry in the national healthcare. I wonder if that will clean up the business or make it worse.
Good rule of thumb: trust the person who isn't telling you to spend more money, usually.
Next dentist basically just said I need regular cleanings, or to learn to floss better. I've been going to him for 10 years now. Recommended lots of people to him.
Another signal is, how nice is their office? Is it a little converted bungalow with drop ceilings? Or a big modern monstrosity with floor ceiling windows.
I've also had experience bringing a friend to Mexico to get work done, which worked out well. Ended up saving a bunch of money, got the work done that day.
Im at a well known megaprofessional dentist,priced "a little above the average" if you want something unusual.
One day, we started to initiate "small project" for some teeth, involving some additonal costs for "beauty-stuff". The accounting appartment(!!!!) of them adviced me to get whatever-XY-insurance before the first step is done to save some costs. On the first day in the morning when step 1 started, I talked to the doc about this advice - she said: "I do not know what they thought but this is a dentist, not an insurance reseller. I do not suggest to do this, you wont need it in your case."
Since then, I never went to another one.
I'm in the same situation! I had an impacted molar when I got my wisdom teeth removed, and this dentist who is otherwise okay mentions it every time. I'm skeptical of its necessity and nice to see someone in the same boat
I just switched providers and pray that I have a better experience with this new one.
Would you please pass on a reliable source? I'd like to try.
Why? So that way you can't avoid these scammers.
Literally scum of society. Worse then lawyers.
1. Floss first (!!!)
2. Use *any* electric brush
3. Spit, but don't wash out with water
4. Use fluoride mouthwashI personally treat it like gym: it's most important that you do it, not so much in what order or even how well.