Does your Dentist schedule appt. for JUST a cleaning?

[Mr. Laz]

I have a Dentist that i have been seeing for years ... 10-ish years.


They call every so often to remind of needed dental care etc.


This time when they called i said that "Yes" i wanted to schedule an appointment for a cleaning. She said we have you down for full x-rays blah,blah,blah.

I said that i didn't need that right now, just a cleaning.


She basically said 'no, unless you are coming in for a full appointment then don't come in'

*awkward silence*

So i told her "I guess i will just go elsewhere"

She said cheerily "ok , thank you very much"

So they have some kind of minimum for visits? Unless you are spending a certain amount, then don't bother?


I have spent thousands of dollars over the years(crowns,root canal,checkups etc). I have never had a single problem or even missed an appointment.

WTF?


Does your dentist schedule visits for 'just' dental cleaning or do they have some kind of minimum?

I wonder if my guy is having business trouble and just can do small visits.

[Rain Man]

Now that I think about it, my pattern has become a 3/4 waltz. I have to get my teeth cleaned every four months because I have one of those dental implants that they have to check out. But the insurance only covers two cleanings and two exams per year. So once every four months I get a cleaning and nothing else, and the other two times I get a cleaning and an exam. This means that my exams are on an alternating schedule of four months and then eight months, with a cleaning on the third beat. It's like the Blue Danube with dental picks.

[DaFace]

I don't really get why you'd want to go to a dentist but never have x-rays done. The whole point is to catch cavities early so that they don't end up causing major damage, right? I'd assume tooge is right that they could be held responsible if you ended up with a major issue that they didn't find because they didn't do x-rays.

My dentist does x-rays once per year and cleanings every six months. My insurance pays for all of it, so I wouldn't want them to skip out on them regardless.

[Chiefnj2]

I think the secretary played it poorly. They should have said to come in for the cleaning and let the dentist explain why x-rays were , or weren't, needed/recommended at this particular visit. On the phone making the appointment they don't know if Laz had a series of head x-rays for other reasons, etc.

[BigRichard]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

I think the secretary played it poorly. They should have said to come in for the cleaning and let the dentist explain why x-rays were , or weren't, needed/recommended at this particular visit. On the phone making the appointment they don't know if Laz had a series of head x-rays for other reasons, etc.

Agree, you might want to call back and talk to a manager. But you also should get the X-Rays.

[Stewie]

My insurance pays for two cleanings per year and x-rays once per year. I think I read they're going to change the x-ray to 18 months.

I was at the dentist three weeks ago and recently got the statement of payment for services (x-rays included). $125. Pretty cheap. I think without x-rays it's about $85. I imagine it would be cheaper if you were a cash paying patient.

One thing I've noticed is by changing to a Sonicare toothbrush my cleanings go much faster. That toothbrush just blasts plaque off the teeth and under the gums.

[griZZly64]

I find it hilarious that you're so old and bitter that you think everybody needs to just do it your way.. nah **** getting a routine x-ray that takes literally bout a minute to put the ****in heavy bib thing, 10 seconds to shove the ****in shit between ur teeth and maybe another 5 seconds to actually take the x-rays. **** THAT!

The nerve of those people trying to keep you healthy....

[BeeHo]

whuddup. dental student here (albeit just a decent one):

minimum x-rays taken are bitewings which show me the crown and broad contacts between the posterior teeth where decay is often found beneath. looking just inside the mouth can be very difficult. also, the bitewings shows me the extent of the decay.


drchristophermorris.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/bitewing.jpg


if you have very very good oral hygiene, then you can definitely argue pushing the interval of x-rays to 18 months (even up to years, though not likely).

if you have lots of crowns and composite (tooth colored) and amalgam (silver) fillings, then bitewings once a year is fine. if there's decay underneath the crowns, they may take full mouth x-rays.

if you have very poor oral oral hygiene, then i would get the bitewings once a year. then tell you to fkn brush and floss.

in regards to radiation exposure: dental radiation is a fraction compared to extensive exposure given in hospitals. the shape and length of the x-ray collimator only allows parallel rays to exit and focus on the area where the dentist wants it. fyi: rectangular collimators expose less than circular collimators.

I would be more worried about thyroid cancer than a tumor in the brain ,but there should be a throat shield placed on top of the lead vest. I'm aware there are dental offices that don't do this.

[Dave Lane]

Its a money grab plan and simple. And once every couple of years is good for xrays.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Icon

I had a scheduled "teeth cleaning" two weeks ago. I arrive on time and the dental assistant proceeds to lay the xray vest on me so I say just a cleaning, I had xrays last year. She leaves and the dentist arrives saying annual xrays are standards of his practice and required by his profession. I said its my body and I didn't want xrays every year. He said its not negotiable so I said I'm outta here and left.

I was not happy. You would think you have control over your own body.

wow ... so i guess others pull this crap too.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

wow ... so i guess others pull this crap too.

Again, it's a liability issue. If your dentist lets you push them around as if you know more than they do about what's important, you're probably seeing a shitty dentist.

http://www.pepindds.com/faq/fact3.html

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by griZZly64

I find it hilarious that you're so old and bitter that you think everybody needs to just do it your way.. nah **** getting a routine x-ray that takes literally bout a minute to put the ****in heavy bib thing, 10 seconds to shove the ****in shit between ur teeth and maybe another 5 seconds to actually take the x-rays. **** THAT!

The nerve of those people trying to keep you healthy....

well it's my body, my money so yes i think the choice should be mine.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Again, it's a liability issue. If your dentist lets you push them around as if you know more than they do about what's important, you're probably seeing a shitty dentist.

http://www.pepindds.com/faq/fact3.html

lets me .... push them ... around?


they are the one trying to force me to do something i didn't want or ask for

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

lets me .... push them ... around?


they are the one trying to force me to do something i didn't want or ask for

Tell ya what - call your dentist and let them know you're willing to sign a waiver of all rights to sue them for malpractice and that you won't hold them responsible for your dental health in any way, shape, or form. They might go for that.

[007]

Do you not have insurance or something? There is no reason to not get the xrays. That is how they determine that everything is healthy.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Tell ya what - call your dentist and let them know you're willing to sign a waiver of all rights to sue them for malpractice and that you won't hold them responsible for your dental health in any way, shape, or form. They might go for that.

nah ... not worth the trouble.

I'll just find another dentist