The Dentist

[RobFunk]

I ask for a cleaning. They give me X-Rays and an examination. I did'nt ask for this. 128$

They tell me to come back for a gum examination. 64$

The gum specialist tells me I need a 'scale cleaning' which he warns is painful and the receptionist tells me it will cost 968$ and must be broken into 2 appointments plus a follow up that costs another 68$.

WTF?! Can you not just take the silver hook and clean the tartar off the back of my damn teeth? They said "I might come down with gum disease without a scale cleaning. 'might' ?

I will just do it my damn self. 6 bucks for a metal tartar cleaner and a few hydrogen peroxide wrinses, I think I will be OK.

I don't have dental insurance. It's all out of pocket. I'm not here to keep your BMW on the road.

Alright, that's my rant.

 

[Labeeb]

Mine drove a Mercedes that was parked in front of his office. After rates continued going up it was adios time.

 

[Journeyman]

The prices of common maintanence have went thru the roof...energy, dr bills, housing, it's just ridiculous.

I really do wonder how we can keep up down the road, something has got to give.

I think dentists are full of shit personally...at the same time many health conditions can start in the mouth, including very serious things like heart trouble.

Rob, I think I heard Mass was trying to impliment a mandatory health insurance law, is that true?

 

[Presto]

It's bad enuf having a dentist working in one's mouth. Add in the feeling of being ripped off and it's a wonder there's hasn't been a story of someone going postal at dentist's office.

A reality show I would watch: dentist vs. insurance adjuster UFC style. Before the match we could here from each contender's unhappy clients.

 

[quantumleap]

Jman is right, there can be gum disease that starts in your mouth if you don't take care of your teeth and gums and it can travel to your heart.

As far as the x-rays and examination, your dentist is obligated to do this. If something serious was wrong with your teeth or bone structure supporting the teeth the dentist can tell you about it before more harm is done. If there are serious things wrong with your teeth it may be deep between the tooth and gum or between the tooth and bone. I had my teeth cleaned recently and had to have novacaine since the cleaning had to be so deep.

On another note, I heard that there are too many dentists for the market and dentists sometimes make things up. I went to a dentist and he said I had to have surgery on cracks in my bones by my teeth. He said he would have to have bone grafts from other parts of my body. That would make even more cracks. This was in 1994. I've never had another dentist since then say the same thing. In other words, if it's major surgery get a second opinion.

 

[RobFunk]

Rob, I think I heard Mass was trying to impliment a mandatory health insurance law, is that true?

That is correct. It's too keep all the freeloaders from stiffing on hospital bills.

 

[Dante]

Robby....do you smoke or Chew??? not sure then why you would need a gum scaling....Just floss really well and use those mouth rinses...


sounds like they are trying to rip you off

as far as the Xrays they have to take those incase you have cavities so they can drill ya


Go to the dentist every 6 months to avoid LONG hard cleanings..do it religiously

 

[asap]

Reconsider

If you gums bleed when you brush and floss ( you do floss, don't you?) they may be telling you the truth. If they called out a bunch of numbers during the gum exam, and a lot of them were greater than 4, they may be telling you the truth. If it has been a long time since you were cleaned, or your prior cleanings were oh so gentle ( like they weren't doing much) they may be telling you the truth. OTOH, they may not. Perio treatment can be a major profit center for a dental practice, and they may be doing it on everybody whether they really need it or not, but if you really do need it, you ought to get it. So how do you tell? Get a second or even a third opinion. Are you going to the bash? I'll bring my mirror and probe if you are and give you a free exam. Let me know if you are. BTW, I am a licensed dentist, in case it isn't obvious .

 

[RobFunk]

asap, that is a terrefic post. I think I was just in a bad mood when I posted that. I also got glasses which set me back for 389$, so it's just bills bills and more bills.

I do understand the importance of regular dentist visits and it is my fault for not going for so long.

The gum specialist I think may have called out '4' a few times. Anyways, they are going to give me a thorough cleaning as possible for 80$ that will take an hour and a possible a 2nd trip back. So we'll see how that goes. If not I will have to break down and pay the nine hundred some odd bucks.

 

[asap]

A few 4's are no big deal

Just be diligent with homecare, and DO use the floss once a day, and you'll probably be fine. Do let them do the 2nd cleaning after you've been "good" at home and I'll bet things will look OK. I also think Listerine (the burning kind, in a variety of flavors) is an excellent addition to home care( not a floss substitute). Use it a FULL 30 seconds morning and night.

 

[Dante]

Are you going to the bash? I'll bring my mirror and probe if you are and give you a free exam. .

:lolBIG: :lolBIG: im sure rob will LOVE that just catch him BEFORE the party starts....trust me :thumbsup2:

 

[RobFunk]

Well, she did her deal today and got busy with some drill thingy and I have been in pain for the last 5 hours.

My teeth look great. What a job this woman did. Especially since I havent had a good cleaning in 15 or so years I could feel the small chunks of tartar shoot off my teeth. But ouch. My teeth feel very irratable right now.

Boy, they have a way of making you feel like you will die from gangrene if you dont do what they say.

Do yourself a huge favor and make regular visits! O.K., back to grimacing and holding my jaw.

 

[levistep]

That is correct. It's too keep all the freeloaders from stiffing on hospital bills.

I've got forced dental issurance, so I rack up the bill as high as i can with unnecessary shit to make prices higher for everyone

That is correct. It's too keep all the freeloaders from stiffing on hospital bills.

No no no, that will make costs go even higher because of the "fake demand." More people will be able to get the care done, so they will get useless shit done and this makes it more expensive.

 

[asap]

Unnecessary and useless shit

Regular dental care is like changing the oil in your car. It's not really obvious that you should do it until after you HAVEN'T done it for too long. Then you see why you should have. Why do you think the dental insurance companies are so good about paying 100% of cleanings and regular exams?

 

[DennyCrane+]

Havent been to the dentist in a few years, more than alittle scared.

 

[yvonne]

thank God i have nice set of teeth, dont need to go to dentist for check up or sumthin..im scared though..

 

[IDTSnerd]

Rob Funk, if the dentist told you to get scale cleaning, you should get it. If you are not sure, then get a second opinion.

I was in a similar situation as you. I got the scaling. After that it is important to brush and floss twice a day. Get a Braun electric toothbrush.

My teeth and gums feel the best they have in years. It was worth the money. If you don't do this, you risk losing a lot of your teeth, soon if your probe numbers are 6 or higher.