Is your dentist is salesman just like mine?

Question

Most people hate going to the dentst. However, most of us want to get our teeth cleaned twice a year and x-rays taken once a year to make sure we have no cavities under the fillings and gums. Although I like my dentist and he does a great job, I am so sick of him telling me I should have this old filling replaced and a crown put here and there, and that he can do bonding & veneers, porcelain reconstructive dentistry, cosmetic smile makeovers, etc., etc. It just turns me right off to listen to him every time I go for a cleaning (he does the cleanings himself). I've changed dentists before because I got sick of them trying to sell me something I didn't want (like having a false tooth made for a back tooth). I've gotten to the point where I only get my teeth cleaned once a year now so I won't have to listen to the sales pitch. It not only wastes my time but it wastes his also. Who out there agrees with me on this subject?

Answer 1

I know they are just trying to make money off you. Don't fall into those scams!

Answer 2

I've had this happen a few times, and I walk away every time. I don't want to stay with someone I don't trust. I once declined on the recommendations, and they had a telemarketer call me at home about a month later! They wanted to replace crowns, fillings, etc that were not very old. It didn't seem necessary.

This was in one of those chain dental offices. I only went because it was conveniently located downtown right near where I worked. I got the feeling they had a bunch of very young recent dental grads, and probably pressured them to meet quotas. That's how it felt.

I had a great dentist for many years that did only what was necessary, and would recommend things ocassionally. He checked with my insurance first and would quote all my options to the penny and get my approval before doing it. He was awesome, but I move out of the state.


I had one dentist that did a bunch of things he did not initially quote while "I was under anyway", and tacked it onto my bill!


Last year I went to have a cleaning and x-rays (specifically). Again, this was one of those awful chains, and I went because of the convenient location. They did not do the cleaning when I went in. They looked at my teeth, did not even check for cavities, or check my gums, or look for basic dental problems, and instead immediately tried to sell me on veneers, and gave me a quote on those (for ALL my front top teeth?!). They told me I'd have to reschedule for the cleaning, etc. Out of curiosity, I asked for before and after pics of veneers they'd done and they gave me a notebook full of before and after pics cut out of a magazine of Hollywood celebrities who have had them. Jennifer Aniston obviously did not have hers done there! What is going on?

I went to a different dentist (private practice) afterwards and now much happier.

Answer 3

It sounds like you don't trust your dentistS. If you are bothering to have your teeth cleaned 2x a year and not get the small things fixed why are you wasting your time? Dentists HAVE to offer treatment plans FOR YOUR HEALTH it is not about lining their pockets and if you feel that is all he is up to, than by all means find another dentist that is just interested in maintaining your current restorations, but a little advice, fillings don't last forever and neither will your teeth. If you tell your dentist up front I am only interested in the cheapest way to restore my teeth, nothing more, I guarantee he will stop talking to you about crowns, bridges, root canals, veneers, implants,or any other high-end treatment plans.
We are in this business to improve people's health, if they wish to leave it as status quo than you have to tell them. They will still talk to you about restorations that are crumbling, but they will understand where you are coming from.

Answer 4

You know- I agree with you! I went to the dentist the other day and every time I go they try to talk me into whitening! I'm like "no it's not covered by my insurance so I'll pass." How annoying! And they said that in one of my teeth there is a cavity starting, but it's not big enough to be called a cavity, (from what I understand) so they want to drill it and put a preventative sealant over it. So if they're gonna numb me up and drill anyway, I'm just gonna wait till it's a cavity and let my insurance cover it! DUH! All they want is money!

Answer 5

I just answered someone else on this, I have thought about this for years. all doctors are salesmen, they sell you as much doom and gloom as they can. they get you to try drugs and take x rays and come back for more test. I see my doctor once yr for pap and go to the dentist once a yr for cleaning. I'm going though something right now with the dentist, a back tooth I've ask him to just pull, he wants to put in an implant that cost $3000, so I went to someone else.
it is endless and more people need to realize it. and stay off the prescription meds if you can.

Answer 6

No one LIKES to hear they need any treatment done, but I trust my dentist and want to keep my teeth for as long as possible. Those of you who believe your dentist is just a salesman........I feel sad for you. You obviously don't have the relationship with your dentist that I have with mine. My children and I have gone to my dentist all their lives and I can't think of anyone I trust more to tell me what I need "dental-wise".
My life, my body , my children are an investment and they are all worth taking care of.
What if your regular doctor told you needed a kidney transplant or that you have cancer, are these doctors viewed as salesmen too??? Maybe it is time for you to really evaluate what you are upset over. Is it the fact that you need treatment or is it that you don't want to know, or don't want to invest the time and money. Denial can be a killer in many ways. :o(

Answer 7

pick a different dentist.

I've been to a diff dentist every time I've been, the last 4 times. This one (I saw today actually) is OK.

I asked about sealants and he told me the 3 best teeth for them to go on, not "have them all done while you're at it" etc.

Answer 8

Oh man, I am so sick of that. I had two cavities grow worse because I they would NEVER give me proper x-rays and cleaning because one of my teeth needed another crown.

I had a root canal four years ago and the new dentist tried to tell me that the Beverly Hills doc I went to for the RC messed things up. So, of cause, they would have to go in and fix it. I didn't believe that for a second, but they refused to do a cleaning.

Answer 9

My sister's dentist does the same thing. I think he just wants more money and these extra things aren't necessary.

Answer 10

mine tried that too but I told him I wouldnt try to sell him things from my kids school fundraiser if he would quit trying to pump up the bill for me. I told him I was basically cheap and he was wasting my time. We now laugh about it.