Any tips on how to pick a good dentist?

[Ilmater]

I live in KC, and I've put off going to the dentist too long because I'm deathly afraid of them (terrible childhood experiences... plus, I don't normally PAY someone to abuse me). Does anyone have any tips on how to choose a good dentist? I've asked around, but the last two dentists I had came highly recommended and I thought they were sadistic fvcks.

 

[BigJ]

Look at the offices in your area, and see what kind of credentials they have outside of their office. See if they've been guest lecturers at ADA events, stuff like that.

 

[TripleAAA]

They do have a dentist review site you might want to check out. Not sure on the exact URL, but just google it.

 

[rudder]

Ask around.

I took my daughter to a pediatric dentist who advertised they had video games, and a chuck e cheese type atmosphere. My daughter loved it but they said she had two cavities.

I took her to my dentist who does awesome work, and he said she did not have any cavities. So I think the previous dentist was definetly trying to scam us. There was no way I would have known.

I reported the bastards, but a lot of good that will do.

 

[BillGates]

Definitely ask friends and coworkers for ones to go to or stay away from. If you have a forum for your local area, post a thread there asking for recommendations.

 

[her209]

Teeth are overrated anyways.

 

[tfinch2]

I'd try to get a recommendation from someone.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: rudder
Ask around.

I took my daughter to a pediatric dentist who advertised they had video games, and a chuck e cheese type atmosphere. My daughter loved it but they said she had two cavities.

I took her to my dentist who does awesome work, and he said she did not have any cavities. So I think the previous dentist was definetly trying to scam us. There was no way I would have known.

I reported the bastards, but a lot of good that will do.

I've had similar experiences with my dentists I have had. The dentist I had as a kid ended up getting kicked out of the ADA or something for messing (phych wise) with his child patients among other things.

The one I had as a teen always said I had lots of cavaties (and I usually have some). My last appointment with him he said I had seven. A year later after I had moved (I had not gotten the chance to get them filled), my new dentist said I had 0. Go figure.

Unfortunately, I have incredibly sensitive teeth, so going to the dentist is pure torture for me.

 

[ZOOYUKA]

Choose the one with the hottest assistants!

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: ZOOYUKA
Choose the one with the hottest assistants!

FTW!!!! LOL

 

[Kelemvor]

ask your co-workers or friends where they go. Definitely get referrals. Or do what Zooyuka says... But I don't think they have that in a lsiting anywhere...

 

[moshquerade]

word of mouth is still your best bet.

and if you'd go to the dentist more often those little issues wouldn't become BIGGER issues that end up causing more pain and more lengthy procedures.

 

[Reel]

Always try to go to one that is recommended to you. A coworker of mine tried switching to a random dentist on our plan and they were recommending some crazy deep-root cleaning where they'd cut open his gums and clean his roots for some exorbitant fee. They also claimed he had lots of cavities. He went back to his out-of-network dentist and they found nothing. Dentists are scammers so you have to be careful. I also hate the hygienists that are butchers. I am going to a dentist referred to me by a coworker so I am hoping it will be a positive experience but I am dreading it.

 

[Jzero]

You basically just have to get more recommendations from more people. If you can find one that uses waterlase, that may help as well.

People ask me why I continue to drive an hour to see my dentist.
And then they come in complaining about how awful their dentist is.

 

[BigToque]

Originally posted by: Reel
Always try to go to one that is recommended to you. A coworker of mine tried switching to a random dentist on our plan and they were recommending some crazy deep-root cleaning where they'd cut open his gums and clean his roots for some exorbitant fee. They also claimed he had lots of cavities. He went back to his out-of-network dentist and they found nothing. Dentists are scammers so you have to be careful. I also hate the hygienists that are butchers. I am going to a dentist referred to me by a coworker so I am hoping it will be a positive experience but I am dreading it.

This is off-topic, but this is one of the reasons why I don't support private healthcare. With free health care, there is no reason for doctors to try to scam anyone.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: Reel
Always try to go to one that is recommended to you. A coworker of mine tried switching to a random dentist on our plan and they were recommending some crazy deep-root cleaning where they'd cut open his gums and clean his roots for some exorbitant fee. They also claimed he had lots of cavities. He went back to his out-of-network dentist and they found nothing. Dentists are scammers so you have to be careful. I also hate the hygienists that are butchers. I am going to a dentist referred to me by a coworker so I am hoping it will be a positive experience but I am dreading it.

i love when people refer to Hygienists as butchers when usually those people have such a mouthful of gum disease that you just touch their gums and they bleed like a stuck pig.