The Truth About Dentistry
Atlantic,
by
Ferris Jabr
Original Article
Posted By: StormCnter,
4/21/2019 7:13:34 AM
In the early 2000s Terry Mitchell’s dentist retired. For a while, Mitchell, an electrician in his 50s, stopped seeking dental care altogether. But when one of his wisdom teeth began to ache, he started looking for someone new. An acquaintance recommended John Roger Lund, whose practice was a convenient 10-minute walk from Mitchell’s home, in San Jose, California. Lund’s practice was situated in a one-story building with clay roof tiles that housed several dental offices. The interior was a little dated, but not dingy. The waiting room was small and the decor minimal: some plants and photos,
Reply 1 - Posted by:
Bur Oak 4/21/2019 7:48:03 AM (No. 40815)
About 10 years ago I had my teeth cleaned and everything checked out okay. I went back 6 month later and the dentist said I needed two crowns and a filling replacement. This didn´t make sense to me so I went to another dentist. He did one crown which came off in a month. I went to another dentist. I haven´t had that other crown or the filling replaced. There are a lot of unethical dentists in the world.
42 people like this.
Reply 2 - Posted by:
StormCnter 4/21/2019 7:53:04 AM (No. 40828)
It´s not a recent problem. Many years ago, when our daughter was a pre-schooler, I took her to a children´s dentist to see about a dark spot on one jaw tooth. He ended up finding that most of her teeth (still baby teeth) should be capped because of rampant decay. We were astonished, as her brother, three years older, had solid perfect teeth. But being young parents and believing the expert, we borrowed the funds for the expensive procedure. A couple of years later, I took her to my family dentist for a dental checkup before first grade. He was astonished at the extensive work, saying his X-rays showed the teeth to be solid and healthy. He was careful in his wording, but we got the point.
32 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
Lazyman 4/21/2019 8:07:51 AM (No. 40832)
This dentist exposing this is the hero. I would like to see more doctors cross the line next.
32 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
GO3 4/21/2019 8:34:33 AM (No. 40805)
Dentists, physicians, chiropractors pushing treatment to pad claims or to have patients pay out of pocket happens more than we realize. Think a dentist doing this is bad? Try a neurologist getting authorization to do 12 visits before he has a full diagnosis. I stopped going, and got a lackluster response from my PCM and the insurance carrier. It makes you wonder if the whole network is a scam.
21 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
franq 4/21/2019 8:37:20 AM (No. 40800)
I haven´t been to a dentist in 20 years. Fortunately, the family genes keep cavities away. Making an appointment means taking time off work. And none of them work Friday or Saturday.
19 people like this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
poliposter 4/21/2019 8:39:38 AM (No. 40821)
My father was a dentist and I work for a dentist now. Both practices conservative dentistry. These types of articles confirm to people that dentists are crooks. Anything that seems out of the ordinary requires getting a second opinion. People have come to us for a 2nd opinion after visiting one of those chain dentists and being handed a treatment plan for $20,000 of work. Unless you have serious gum disease and are getting implants, rarely do you need that kind of work. We have had patients leave because they were out of network and their insurance only covered half the cost of an exam and cleaning. Well the in-network dentist might do the cleaning for half price, but they are hoping to get you back in for all the other expensive work. The article makes it sound like exams and cleaning every 6 months are unnecessary. Exams and cleanings every six months can prevent a small cavity from turning into a painful root canal. Lastly, dental insurance is usually not worth it unless it is a subsidized benefit from your employer and you have a lot of kids.
36 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
ramona 4/21/2019 8:43:18 AM (No. 40813)
I have a wonderful, competent, caring dentist. He does volunteer work at old folk´s homes. The elderly neighbors living near his office stop by just to chat. I recently met his daughter-in-law and she ranks him as the hero of her life. He is simply a blessing on this earth. I know he isn´t the only one but it sounds like he is even more rare than I have thought. He keeps his own books and makes his own appointments much of the time. He does not push unnecessary stuff on anyone.
Ramona (the Pest)
51 people like this.
Reply 8 - Posted by:
poliposter 4/21/2019 8:43:29 AM (No. 40807)
#5, do you work Friday and Saturday? People blow off their dental appointments on Sunday days, because they have a nail appointment and that´s more important. Last thing I want to do is spend my weekend sitting at work waiting for patients who don´t show because something better came up on the weekend. Some dentists work weekends, the good ones don´t need to. As far as taking off work, I will never understand people who don´t take off work to take care of themselves. I took my kids out of schools for all their dental and doctor appointments. Your health comes first. Good to know you have great teeth.
18 people like this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
DVC 4/21/2019 10:07:33 AM (No. 40812)
I had a dentist try to convince me that I needed an expensive optional procedure back in the early 1980s. I told him I was not interested. The next visit for cleaning, he again tried to sell me on this expensive procedure.
I found another dentist that same day, arranged my next cleaning. That guy retired 15 years later, and I have been going to his successor ever since. Never the slightest problem.
Don´t like their approach, get a new guy.
24 people like this.
Reply 10 - Posted by:
poliposter 4/21/2019 10:30:18 AM (No. 40830)
One last post: Do not get a root canal done by your regular dentist. Go to an endodontist for a root canal, a periodontist for gums/implants, an oral surgeon for implants/surgery/extractons.
24 people like this.
Reply 11 - Posted by:
AlpineLace 4/21/2019 10:32:24 AM (No. 40811)
Perhaps I misunderstood the writers perception of the educational requirements to become a dentist. 4 years??? How about a basic 8 years, Bachelors Degree followed by 4 years of dental school, sometimes followed by specialty training.
18 people like this.
Reply 12 - Posted by:
earlybird 4/21/2019 10:54:29 AM (No. 40829)
I read every single word. Some things are long, but very worthwhile. This should be read by everyone.
After having excellent dentists for years who respected my “watch and wait” teeth, which had always required very little but periodic cleaning, via the sale of one practice at my dentist’s retirement I ended up with a dentist whom I believe is like Lund. When I talk about him I equate him with the fellow at a car dealership who, when you go to their service department for one thing, shows up with a clipboard and list of a number of other things that just must be fixed. (We don’t go to dealerships for anything but warranty-related service.)
I found another dentist, who then retired and sold his practice (including me) to that same dentist. So now I am with yet another new dentist. A female who so far seems very conservative in her approach and who charges far less for the basic procedures like cleaning. We shall see.
I’m grateful to OP for finding this article...
21 people like this.
Reply 13 - Posted by:
lakerman1 4/21/2019 11:02:51 AM (No. 40827)
I moved, looked for a new dentist, he examined me, said I needed a 150 dollar battery powered toothbrush, which he sold, I bought one at Walmart for 6 dollars.
He also told me that my fixed bridges had to be replaced. When I asked why, he said because they were over 5 years old, and that insurance paid for new bridges at 5 years. (the bridges were fine.) He also recommended several implants.
I didn´t go back.
I taught a graduate course in Benefiits Administration, and showed my students the ´do not pay´ list of medical providers in Pennsylvania excluded from Medicaid. Most on the list were chiropractors or dentists.
Finally, there was an interesting divorce case in a suburb of Erie, Pa a few years ago.
A local dentist, for his fourth marriage, brought in a woman from South America, had her sign a pre-nup, also brought in her daughter.
The marriage ended quickly, and the pre-nup was invalidated by the INS papers he signed, which created the legal obligation to support the mother and daughter.
The woman made out well in the final settlement. The dentist, in his general dentistry practice, had a net income of 700,000 plus.
15 people like this.
Reply 14 - Posted by:
Sunhan65 4/21/2019 11:17:18 AM (No. 40819)
Agree with posters above. Some personal observations:
1. Once I was told I needed 3 fillings that would necessitate 3 visits because anesthetic could only be applied to half of my mouth at a time. The dentist said it was to make sure I wouldn´t bite my tongue (!).
On the second visit, I got bored with this and told the dentist to do the third filling without the anesthetic. It was only mildly uncomfortable, not Marathon Man. To be clear, it was also a fairly shallow cavity. Nevertheless, you don´t always need anaesthetic. My folks grew up before dental anesthetic and during foot pump drills. They survived.
2. I was once told I needed 4 fillings, so I did nothing and waited. Years later I went to a different dentist who said I didn´t need any fillings. Apparently I have self-healing teeth.
3. For 40 years I was also told I needed to have my wisdom teeth removed, so I did nothing and waited. Decades later I had one surgically removed because it seemed like the time. The rest are fine and so am I.
4. My whole life I was told to brush after every meal and my whole life I was told I had cavities. Then I heard you should brush before meals instead. Since that decision I haven´t had any cavities.
5. I´m on the ketogenic diet for many reasons but one of the hidden benefits is virtually no carbs and sugar. My teeth have had no cavities for the longest stretch in my life.
6. Despite having no sugar, diet soft drinks have acids that apparently do damage enamel. So don´t assume they´re like drinking water as I did once.
Bottom line? I don´t trust dentists and I make my own decisions.
14 people like this.
Reply 15 - Posted by:
49 Ford 4/21/2019 11:22:42 AM (No. 40802)
The Truth About Dentistry...
It is a necessary evil.
Happy Easter to all
14 people like this.
Reply 16 - Posted by:
mc squared 4/21/2019 11:56:07 AM (No. 40810)
I suspected so for decades. Thanks poster.
9 people like this.
Reply 17 - Posted by:
red1066 4/21/2019 12:05:23 PM (No. 40806)
I had to switch dentists because of a change in my dental insurance. I didn´t want to switch, but my old dentist would have cost too much without insurance. The new dentist told me I had a tooth that was bad, and needed a crown, even though I didn´t have any issue with it. Before I could object, he was destroying my tooth. Now I have a crown where a perfectly good tooth once stood. I immediately left that dentist, and went back to my previous dentist. About two months later, I found out the quack dentist I left retired.
9 people like this.
Reply 18 - Posted by:
FLCracker 4/21/2019 12:26:05 PM (No. 40816)
#14:
I brush my teeth twice a day, eat whatever I want, including sweets and bread, and up until recently, had my teeth cleaned every few years or so.
I haven´t had a cavity since my early 20s, over 40 years ago.
11 people like this.
Reply 19 - Posted by:
MY 2 Cents 4/21/2019 12:27:52 PM (No. 40826)
I like my dentist. I am 77 years old. I have been going for 12 years. I have many teeth, a partial on my lower and upper teeth. None of which the dentist put in for me.
I had the extraction for me and he put the extraction and my hole in my tooth for $75 in my appliance.
9 people like this.
Reply 20 - Posted by:
Strike3 4/21/2019 1:11:24 PM (No. 40814)
Scary stuff. The same cautions apply to dentists and doctors as you apply to anything else. Question, do not trust, double check and look up on the Internet whatever they are recommending to educate yourself, especially prescribed drugs and side effects. It´s too tempting for them to add procedures just to increase the insurance billing.
When being prescribed any medication have the doctor explain and make a good case for it. Don´t take a pain killer unless you have actual pain.
General rule on dentists, don´t go to the chain stores. You will pay double or triple the average rate and get lower quality dentists than those in a private practice because they have huge overhead. They don´t want to fix a problem they want to put you on a "maintenance program."
Question your doctor on everything unless the problem is your own fault like obesity, smoking, alcohol or a sedentary lifestyle.
I recently had a somewhat related situation with my car. I had some minor paint scratches on a side panel and decided to get a few estimates instead of repairing it myself, which I easily did. One estimate was sixteen hundred dollars and included everything from new and very expensive replacements, mud flap, body clips and five hundred bucks for a paint job that included maybe a half ounce of paint and clear coat. They obviously do this sort of billing and get paid by the insurance companies on a regular basis.
9 people like this.
Reply 21 - Posted by:
ginadee 4/21/2019 1:27:47 PM (No. 40831)
I am blessed with a dentist who is good at his dentistry as well as being a good person.
His hygienist does the cleaning and he does the examining. I´v been seeing him for about 22 years. During that time he has saved one molar way in the back of my mouth about three times. He has had to drill away and rebuild the tooth. He has never mentioned anything about extracting the tooth and doing any kind of bridge or even a root canal. I believe he is the most ethical dentist I have ever come in contact with. His daughter is now working with him. She will step into his shoes when he retires. I can honestly say that they are the nicest and most honest professional people I have ever known, bar none.
I wish you all the same!
12 people like this.
Reply 22 - Posted by:
DVC 4/21/2019 2:02:29 PM (No. 40820)
!4, I have had several old silver fillings filled with the new composite materials without anasthesia. A few twinges and done, and no mouth full of cotton and fat feeling face for half a day.
10 people like this.
Reply 23 - Posted by:
Corndoggies 4/21/2019 2:29:33 PM (No. 40801)
I’ve been thinking of finding a new dentist. The last time I went in for a cleaning they wanted to take xrays and when they were reviewed, he said that I must be in a lot of pain and showed me on the xray where a tooth was infected. I’d never had so much as a twinge of pain. The pain came when they showed me a price list of repair options. That was months ago and I’ve not done one thing and still don’t have any problems with that tooth.
9 people like this.
Reply 24 - Posted by:
pilot222 4/21/2019 3:27:35 PM (No. 40809)
Funny how you never read about Lawyers and how slimy,unethical,lying,cheating corrupt they are. Oh yea, they are Rats who morph into politicians who morph into the Elites but are all basically ambulance chasers. This author hates dentists and writes a hit piece of fake news about them obviously Ferris is trying to get on air with CNN. Every profession has its bad eggs.
8 people like this.
Reply 25 - Posted by:
Rivetjoint 4/21/2019 3:54:06 PM (No. 40818)
Next up - veterinarians. Another profession where it´s wise to tread carefully as a client.
14 people like this.
Reply 26 - Posted by:
whyyeseyec 4/21/2019 5:36:58 PM (No. 40823)
The best thing you can do to stay away from a dentist is rinse, floss, rinse, brush well and rinse again. Do it religiously every day without fail and you should be fine. Rinse several times after breakfast and lunch and do the above before bed. It works.
11 people like this.
Reply 27 - Posted by:
Faithfully 4/21/2019 8:16:09 PM (No. 40804)
My teeth have been ruined by too much dental work. Thousands and thousands and they still finds reasons to pull them. Especially the ones with the gold fillings which he pockets. No more.
8 people like this.
Reply 28 - Posted by:
YorkieMom 4/22/2019 12:42:09 AM (No. 40803)
After reading this, I know why I have stopped going to my dentist. She kept trying to sell me on all kinds of dental work, and I’ve put her off every time. I’m now just looking for a dental office to have my teeth cleaned and x-rayed every 16 months. Oh, my old dentist even sends out emails saying she does Botox!
7 people like this.
Seems we all have stories. Part of the problem is DMO plans. Some new dentist take all plans until they get enough patients. Next thing you know, they won´t take your plan. Seniors have difficulty paying full price out of pocket.
Locally, there are two or three giant dental practices that are awful.
A DMO plan make cost $15 a month and a PPO employer plan might cost $75 and up per month.
10 people like this.
Sorry, not "make" but "might"
9 people like this.
Reply 31 - Posted by:
DVC 4/22/2019 2:31:17 PM (No. 40817)
I have no dental insurance now, by choice. We pay out of pocket, and it is less/the same per year as the dental insurance. We can afford to pay for any serious work that may be required, but I have all my teeth, including wisdom teeth, and my wife has all hers, less wisdom teeth. Her teeth are nearly perfect, mine have suffered a bit from a few youthful accidents, but are now OK.
Neither of us is on a path to expensive dental care, as best as can be estimated, which is admittedly no guarantee. Happy to pay my excellent dentist for his excellent care.
Like ANY OTHER service, you must find a skilled and honest workman. And there are charlatans in ALL jobs, caveat emptor, in all things.
6 people like this.
Reply 32 - Posted by:
cheeflo 4/22/2019 8:43:19 PM (No. 40833)
My current dentist acquired my former dentist´s practice when he retired. She has modernized the practice and built a new facility she calls a "dental spa." Very cutting edge stuff -- on-site crown fabrication, new imaging techniques, etc.
She´s a good dentist and I believe that her practices and suggestions are meant to be thorough, but while I like some of the new technologies and conveniences, I can´t help but feel that her expensive overhead might contribute to some of her treatment recommendations.
4 people like this.
I had a dentist fire me for missing two appointments because work was making it impossible to get away! Lol! So I went to a new lady dentist in town! Told me a tooth had to come out? After 3.5 hours in the chair she got half out! That was 5 years ago and I’m fine! If it in that firmly...why pull it? And if you are too weak to pull a tooth, why are you a dentist?
4 people like this.
Comments:
This is a really long piece, but I found it interesting. And there´s not a word about Mueller.