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The Dentist

April 28th, 2010 at 02:21 am

So, I had never missed a 6-month checkup, in my life.

We had apparently made a January appointment, during our last appointment, and I forgot. They called me the day before. I think it was right after dh had his surgery. We weren't making it!

I have been with the same dentist for about 30 years, but he has a new receptionist. I called and left a message begging for a Saturday appointment. I have so many vacations planned this year and took so much time off for the surgery, not to mention a school schedule to work around. I really didn't want to use a week day for the 2-hour trip to the dentist! We couldn't fit a 6-month schedule that fit around the kids and mine schedule. They get all this time off during Christmas and tax season, which is the only time I can't spare 5 minutes off work. We could go for summer, but the kids have no days off in November/December. (But for holidays - which doesn't exactly work). I can't take time off January - April. Not for a dental appointment 2 hours away!

So, I told her we had been going forever and yadda yadda yadda. Her only experience with me is that I must be a flake!

She actually had an appointment in like 2 weeks (must have had a cancellation) so we are going WAY earlier than expected. I was hoping to beg for something in June or July.

Phew!

With the kids in school, we probably need to make a renewed effort to find a local dentist. The last couple of HIGHLY RECOMMENDED dentists I tried out were pure scam artists. I got a third opinion from a dentist friend, who lives about THREE hours away. I know our dentist will retire in the near future, probably, and our friend dentist is not a realistic alternative. (Though it was nice he verified how scammy the other dentists were).

I don't even know where to start. If everyone is happy to settle for scammy dentists, how the heck do you find a good recommendation? *sigh* Our solution has just been to keep our old dentist. It's not a big deal - we visit family all the time. But, I guess it's back to the drawing board. I just dread dread dread it. I should send dh as the guniea pig, this time.

Our current dentist is very conservative. Not only do I want someone who is not a total scam artist (who wants to do $3k worth of work on perfectly good teeth). BUT, I would prefer someone on the conservative side. One dentists did want to replace all my fillings. I don't think that part is "scammy." I just think it is a little unnecessary. I've only had one fixed, since then. Last I dentist shopped was 2005. & it's not just being cheap. Why drill your teeth more than you need to? I like my teeth! Big Grin

Interestingly, dentist friend told us that dentists who went to public school tended to be less aggressive. Kind of an interesting piece of information. I'll start with that.

2 Responses to “The Dentist”

  1. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1272595682

    There was an article on yahoo not too long ago -- it was something like "50 things your dentist wish you knew." It had some interesting ideas (such as taking out amalgram fillings releases more mercury than just leaving it alone)

  2. monkeymama Says:
    1272812668

    I think I saw that in Reader's Digest.

    I actually chose silver fillings last time. Not due to cost. Seems like they were better, overall. Even the kids' dentist did silver for all the back teeth. White for front teeth. Basically, they only recommended white for cosmetic reasons. For small kids!

    Anyway, one more reason to leave perfectly good fillings alone, eh?

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