Can You Trust Your Dentist?

Have you ever gone to the dentist for what you thought would be a relatively simple procedure and it turned out costing you 10 times what you thought it would?

Many of us has experienced this which is why I always caution people who purchase a dental plan through my DiscountDental4U.net web site to…

"Be Cautious About Dentists Who Recommend Elaborate Treatment Plans"

In 1996, a reporter on assignment for The Reader's Digest visited 50 dentists in 28 states and found that their fees, examinations, and recommendations varied widely. The visits cost from $20 to $141. The reporter brought along his own x-ray films and told the dentists he had ample insurance coverage. Before embarking on the study, the reporter was checked by four dentists who agreed that he had only one immediate problem (one molar needed filling or a crown), and that work on another tooth might be advisable. Only 12 of the dentists agreed with this appraisal, and 15 failed to note a problem with the molar. One dentist recommended crowning all of the reporter's teeth, at a cost of $13,440. Other estimates ranged from $500 to $29,850.

The reporter also visited a dental school clinic where the student and a department chairman independently recommended capping both teeth, which would cost $460 .

Sometime later ABC-TV's "Prime Time Live" conducted a similar investigation in which, after evaluation by an expert panel, two patients with completely healthy mouths were examined by six dentists. One patient was given estimates for $645, $1175, $1195, $2220, $2323, and $2563, The other received proposals for $2135, $2410, $2829, $3140, $3190, $3700, $4061, and $7960. No program was broadcast, but the figures were made public by one of the review panel members.

These investigations indicate that when extensive dental work is advised, a second opinion is often a good idea, preferably a dentist who is affiliated with a dental school. No practitioner should fear or resist having you get a second opinion. If a treatment plan is sound, particularly a major and/or expensive one, it should hold up to scrutiny by others.

Consider yourself warned.