I have been fortunate to have had an excellent dentist in Japan. About a year ago, I was told by a dentist (in a larger clinic) I needed to have gold filling i

I have been fortunate to have had an excellent dentist in Japan. About a year ago, I was told by a dentist (in a larger clinic) I needed to have gold filling in my molars (because gold is least reactive, better than ceramic and gets the dentist a pretty penny). I was quoted ~$500 after the insurance. Also suggested was some SMILE UV procedure to whiten the enamel. I was reluctant as well as mortified. The whole convincing act sounded more like a sales pitch. I went to a second dentist, who runs his own singularly run establishment (the current one in question) and he flatly told me 'no'. My teeth were in good shape mostly (minus some coffee stains & a cavity). Since it was about closing time, he sat me down over a quick bite & went through the dental physiology - and why he considered it pointless. In the end, he added since I was on insurance I had nothing much to lose monetarily, but by doing Dentist A's suggestions, I was primed to keep visiting every few years for fixes. He had nothing to gain by turning me away. That was a huge confidence booster. Honesty was a huge factor in getting my trust. It opened my eyes to the fact that the vaunted & strictly regulated Japanese health care has its share of bad apples too. Dental treatment is a money spinner even in Japan. Although, mostly operating assiduously and in good faith, we need to still look out for some bad actors. (I have another terrible story - but it pertains to opthalmologists) Bonus: Since he turned out such a nice guy I get him souvenir candies (ironic!) from wherever I go traveling. And he cauterizes my sporadic canker mouth sores without ever charging a dime :)