Not all dentists are created equal, which is why it is important to take time to shop around. Keep in mind there are important things to consider before getting dental work done by a new practitioner.
Thanks to a number of advances in medicine,
people are living longer, healthier lives, and dentists play a huge role in that. Unfortunately, there are some individuals who seek to profit from the concern people have for their well being, and while the majority of dentists are in practice to help the public maintain healthy teeth, and raise awareness about the importance of dental health and hygiene, there are a small number looking to increase their profits at your expense.
In order to avoid falling victim to one of these unscrupulous practitioners, there are a few easy precautions you can take:
If a dentist tells you that you have several cavities that must be seen to right away minutes after the x-rays come back, this should raise a warning in your mind. Keep in mind that if you haven’t been seen by a dental health practitioner in some time, this might be a correct diagnosis. However, if you have been treated regularly, and no cavities have been detected previously, it might be a good idea to seek a second opinion. It is especially important to be cautious here because once a hole is drilled in the tooth, there is no way to prove or disprove that the “cavity” existed.
Before anything is done, ask why the work is being done. Is the dentist treating a small cavity to prevent more significant problems later on? Is this is the usual practice? The same cautious approach is advisable when dealing with a dentist who seems to be encouraging you to have major dental work done as soon as possible. Since major work includes having teeth removed, or repairing damaged or out of place teeth through surgery, it should not be a hasty or pressured decision. Again, if nothing has come to light previously, seek a second opinion before consenting to oral surgery.
Make sure you read and completely understand any fine print when viewing advertisements for dental services. If you notice one that promises “deeply discounted” services, this should be a red flag that something might be amiss. In many cases, those alleged discounts mean that only part of the work is done at the initial visit, forcing the client to return numerous times to have all the work finished, with each visit being an additional charge. If the cost is a concern, decide what work you most need to have done, and then check with several dentists’ offices to find one that meets your needs and your budget. Also, being aware of what your dental plan covers, if you have one, and how much you are responsible for paying, can help you to avoid being taken advantage of.
Finally, know what is and is not customary practice among dentists. For example, charging a customer to receive a copy of his or her x-rays is not typical practice, but some dentists follow it. While the law states that these records must be provided to the client when a request is provided in writing, there is nothing that states there cannot be a charge for it. Usually, the fee is minimal, averaging around $30 or less, so a practitioner who charges much more than this should be questioned about the charge, especially if others in the practice are within the standard range.
