5 ms·
A couple years ago my dentist sold her practice to a new dentist. Before I had an appointment with the new dentist, my wife had an appointment, and he told her
by kentonv 3y ago
A couple years ago my dentist sold her practice to a new dentist.
Before I had an appointment with the new dentist, my wife had an appointment, and he told her she had gum disease with bone loss and needed a deep cleaning and to go on a "periodontal schedule" where she would have to come in every three months instead of six. (Note: My wife and I have different last names and separate insurance, so he wouldn't have known we're related.)
When I went in, the hygenist measured my pocket depths, and I noticed she seemed to be adding 1-3mm to what I remembered the measurements being every time I had that done in the past. The dentist then came in and gave me what sounded like a rehearsed speech concluding in the same diagnosis he had given my wife.
I told him I'd like to think about it and could he please send me the records they based this on. They proceeded to rush me out of the office, outright refusing to do the regular cleaning.
I went to another dentist and only told her I left my previous dentist because he gave me bad vibes. She started off with the pocket measurements which were magically back to normal! She said my teeth looked great. Then she asked about my previous dentist and I told her what happened. She said: "I suspected it was something like that."
So... yeah... what an industry...
ETA: Although now in my paranoia I wonder if the new dentist somehow knew the previous dentist's diagnosis and realized the way to keep me as a customer would be to tell me they were wrong. But they shouldn't be able to get my past records unless I authorize it, right?
- kvmet 3y agoMany dentists ago for me but they got a new contraption that could measure enamel thickness. They waved this wand around in my mouth and told me that I was in need of (4) fillings. Now I have always had thin enamel so it's not unusual to need some fillings but I didn't trust this process at all so I told them I'd mull it over and call back. Waited 6 months for next cleaning and mysteriously I didn't need any fillings at all despite having no work done. I don't think it is necessarily done intentionally, but it's good to be a tiny bit skeptical especially when new factors are involved.
- sjackso 3y agoSimilar experience here. I went to a new dentist who had one of those machines and he told me I needed at least nine fillings. I declined and found someone else. Over 16 years and multiple moves/new dentists since then, maybe three of those teeth have actually needed fillings.
- leptons 3y agoSome dentists are the worst - they're no better than used car salesmen, and sometimes they are worse than that. Just shady and questionable businesses that try to extract the most money possible from you, and in some cases they will lie to do it. I moved cities a few years ago, about an hour south of where I used to live, and I changed my doctor, my mechanic, but I kept my dentist even though it's a 1.5 hour drive in rush hour traffic. It's worth it. There's plenty of dentists around my new house, and I tried one of them and it was awful. I went back to my beloved dentist in the old city and I'll never look for another one. They don't ever try to recommend work I don't need, they find and fix real problems not made-up problems, and the prices are very reasonable. Once you find a good dentist, keep them forever if you can. It's too bad your old dentist sold the business, that would be devastating for me.
- ralphc 3y agoForever is a loooonnnggg time. I liked my dentist and kept going to him, he practiced into his 80s. Turns out he left some packing material in a crown and it rotted out the tooth. The dentist that took over his practice tried to save the tooth but it had to come out and I have an implant in its place.
- leptons 3y ago"Forever" is a metaphor. I guess I'm lucky my dentist is younger than I am.
- meindnoch 3y agoOh, first I thought "measuring your pocket" meant that they somehow gauged your financial status.
- rmwaite 3y agoOh, believe me - they most certainly are. :-)
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- davedx 3y agoYeah, our dentist sold the practice and the new one gave me a (unnecessary?) filling that is so painful I can't eat properly on one side of my mouth anymore. Of course, I now don't want to go back to the new dentist, I want to find a new one that isn't going to screw up the first time they touch me, but that's a minefield too (finding a new dentist). So I've dealt with the pain for like 4 months already. Sigh.
- hetspookjee 3y agoJust take the leap with a new one that gives you good vibes. Skipping one side entirely is also a recipe for worse things to come. So, the longer you wait the worse it'll probably get.
- elteto 3y agoI had the same exact thing happen to me and my wife. We’ve learned since then that this is a common scam by dental clinics. Did they try to sign you up for a “care” credit card too?
- tsuujin 3y agoFWIW: the Care Credit Card is legit. Having one has been a boon to me a few times by helping me cover unexpected medical expenses with reasonable interest rates.