Now that that medical associations have declared this year as oral health focus, I wonder

[mfcorey1]

if dentist will stop charging people for unnecessary deep scale cleanings? They also refuse to just clean your teeth if you don't agree to the more expensive deep scaling that is more expensive and barely covered on your insurance. Just google deep scale cleaning scams and see how wide spread this is. Just collecting my thoughts.

[Hekate]

1. My dentist doesn't clean my teeth, the dental hygienist does

They are very good, well regarded in their field here, and I don't even know what you are talking about.

One reason for that may be that I do not have a propensity to build up tartar on my teeth -- never have had much. Partly luck I suppose, but mostly I brush pretty thoroughly.

Are you being urged to get deep scale cleanings due to tartar buildup? If so, they are trying to save your teeth.

If you suspect that it is an unnecessary procedure for you, you might try calling around to find a dental practice where they reserve it for those who really need it.

[mfcorey1]

2. Well, you are one of the lucky ones. Most people do not have plaque build up and are still

ripped off with expensive deep scale cleanings. We all know that it is the hygienist who does the cleaning in the dentist office. I stand by my complaint. It is one of the biggest rip offs for dental patients.

[Hekate]

3. I guess I thought you were saying this is your personal experience

Or did I misunderstand you and it's just a complaint directed at the world of dentistry in general?

If it is you that is being ripped off, then I do urge you to find another dental practice by phoning around first.

Sorry, I did mean to say plaque instead of tartar -- probably an old-fashioned terminology on my part.

[REP]

4. My dentist does my cleanings; scaling is done by a periodontist

Maybe you're lucky and have no chronic health problems and strong teeth with normal roots. Me - not so much. I actually do need to be scaled by a periodontist.

[BadgerKid]

5. They are?

For all we know, these patients also don't take care of their teeth, thereby necessitating more extensive treatment. On the other side of things, there are indeed unscrupulous dentists out there. My periodontist who is good and conservative has recommend a second procedure to me that I've declined since it wasn't actually necessary for the foreseeable future.