What are the latest dental upsells?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dentist (out of network) had me do an at home test on my finger for sleep apnea, said I had a number of drops, and then wanted me to allow a company to contact me. I asked for the name of the company, googled it, and came up with a page advertising itself to dentists as a way to grow their practice.

I could have sleep apnea - but I think I should investigate it through my medical doctor and insurance, right?

Yes

[Anonymous]

If you don’t trust your dentist, I’d find a new one. There are bad ones, sure. nb

I can say that dentist DH and his dentist friends (all mid career- late 40s- in successful private practices of various types) have plenty to do, and no real interest in making up unnecessary things to do/sell. They are tired and coasting along happily, for the most part.

-cosmetic things and tooth whitening may be offered (a lot of people seem to want)- just say no thanks. They don’t care.

-if you are skeptical about “deep cleanings” or other recommended things just get a consult elsewhere

-some do “easy” Invisalign cases, mostly as a service to the patients so they don’t need to see an ortho. It really isn’t that profitable.

If they are recommending restorative work, it usually isn’t isn’t “for the fun of it” or to do unnecessary things- typically it is something that will definitely need to be done at some point and they will often warn ahead of time “this tooth will need a crown soon” etc and remind regularly.. It is up to the patient how long they want to put it off- because invariably it will eventually become an emergency and usually at an inopportune time “my daughter is getting married tomorrow/I leave for vacation tomorrow etc, and my front tooth just broke in half!” “its Christmas Eve and I’m having horrible pain and swelling” etc etc. No fun for the patient (or the dentist either) when it could’ve been prevented during regular office hours. My DH is nice and will often go in for emergencies (for current patients) off hours if he is in town, but it gets super old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dentist (out of network) had me do an at home test on my finger for sleep apnea, said I had a number of drops, and then wanted me to allow a company to contact me. I asked for the name of the company, googled it, and came up with a page advertising itself to dentists as a way to grow their practice.

I could have sleep apnea - but I think I should investigate it through my medical doctor and insurance, right?

Yes.

Dentists are really pushing sleep apnea treatment with mouth devices because they make big $$$ selling them. But they often don't work and they can change your bite and even the shape of your jaw. And cpap is the gold standard treatment, anyway. My dentist tried to talk to me about getting tested for sleep apnea but when I told her my pcp already had me tested and I had an appt coming up with the sleep doc she backed right off. I'd love to find a new practice, but I need nitrous and there aren't many that offer it.

[Anonymous]

The last time I called my dentist's office, when there was some confusion about a retainer I'd ordered not being ready, I was told the "regional manager is in today" and that they would call me back. That seemed weird to me. A regional manager? Does that mean my dentist does't own her practice? Is private equity buying them all up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dentist (out of network) had me do an at home test on my finger for sleep apnea, said I had a number of drops, and then wanted me to allow a company to contact me. I asked for the name of the company, googled it, and came up with a page advertising itself to dentists as a way to grow their practice.

I could have sleep apnea - but I think I should investigate it through my medical doctor and insurance, right?

Yes. Sleep apnea should be treated by a sleep doctor. The thing on your finger isn't a standard for diagnosing sleep apnea. You were given a ring that measures oxygen in your blood and when it drops as you are sleeping, you are more than likely experiencing apnea. People can buy their own recording oxygen monitor to see if they have apnea. You need a sleep doctor to do a more detailed test as there are different types of apnea that might require different treatment. The best treatment of sleep apnea is to use a cpap machine. Dental devices and surgeries are rarely effective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don’t trust your dentist, I’d find a new one. There are bad ones, sure. nb

I can say that dentist DH and his dentist friends (all mid career- late 40s- in successful private practices of various types) have plenty to do, and no real interest in making up unnecessary things to do/sell. They are tired and coasting along happily, for the most part.

-cosmetic things and tooth whitening may be offered (a lot of people seem to want)- just say no thanks. They don’t care.

-if you are skeptical about “deep cleanings” or other recommended things just get a consult elsewhere

-some do “easy” Invisalign cases, mostly as a service to the patients so they don’t need to see an ortho. It really isn’t that profitable.

If they are recommending restorative work, it usually isn’t isn’t “for the fun of it” or to do unnecessary things- typically it is something that will definitely need to be done at some point and they will often warn ahead of time “this tooth will need a crown soon” etc and remind regularly.. It is up to the patient how long they want to put it off- because invariably it will eventually become an emergency and usually at an inopportune time “my daughter is getting married tomorrow/I leave for vacation tomorrow etc, and my front tooth just broke in half!” “its Christmas Eve and I’m having horrible pain and swelling” etc etc. No fun for the patient (or the dentist either) when it could’ve been prevented during regular office hours. My DH is nice and will often go in for emergencies (for current patients) off hours if he is in town, but it gets super old.

As the wife, do you think you really know? No offense, but this entire post seems clueless and defensive

[Anonymous]

Same with derms, many are all about the upsell. It’s revolting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My dentist (out of network) had me do an at home test on my finger for sleep apnea, said I had a number of drops, and then wanted me to allow a company to contact me. I asked for the name of the company, googled it, and came up with a page advertising itself to dentists as a way to grow their practice.

I could have sleep apnea - but I think I should investigate it through my medical doctor and insurance, right?

Yes. Sleep apnea should be treated by a sleep doctor. The thing on your finger isn't a standard for diagnosing sleep apnea. You were given a ring that measures oxygen in your blood and when it drops as you are sleeping, you are more than likely experiencing apnea. People can buy their own recording oxygen monitor to see if they have apnea. You need a sleep doctor to do a more detailed test as there are different types of apnea that might require different treatment. The best treatment of sleep apnea is to use a cpap machine. Dental devices and surgeries are rarely effective.

I have an apnea oral device. It is not as effective as my CPAP. But it is pretty good — certainly good enough for a few nights — and has considerably lightened my load when I’m on brief air travel and am glad not to have to lug a separate CPAP bag.

And we read constantly on DCUM of people who can’t adapt to CPAP (not that the oral device doesn’t require some getting used to).

So I think success varies by person.

[Anonymous]

My dentist said I needed to get a mouth guard like five years ago so I went through with it (insurance covered it so no huge deal). I found it too obtrusive so stopped wearing it. Dentist has never once brought up the mouth guard -- or my lack of using it -- since I got it.

It's almost as if they just wanted to sell me a mouth guard, considering the conditions that led them to recommend it have magically disappeared.

[Anonymous]

I used to go to a dentist in Old Town Alexandria where they tried to upsell you on everything. There was only one dentist and you got minimal time with the dentist (once I showed up for a dental appointment and was told the dentist wasn't even there, but would I like to do some additional optional procedures?) but tons of time with the hygienists, who had cards they filled out with what they sold you, presumably for commission.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The last time I called my dentist's office, when there was some confusion about a retainer I'd ordered not being ready, I was told the "regional manager is in today" and that they would call me back. That seemed weird to me. A regional manager? Does that mean my dentist does't own her practice? Is private equity buying them all up?

It's the bottom of the barrel type "private equity" companies that buy dental offices. Like Jett from Pookie and Jett works for a bottom of the barrel private equity firm that focuses on dentistry. These are the guys who brag about being in "private equity" but couldn't hack it in real private equity or banking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just went to the dentist for the first time in a year and felt like I was talking to a car salesmen

Invisalign. I’m 61 years old, with no bite issues and not perfect, but good teeth. She tried to talk me into Invisalign.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never get invisalign from a dentist. Only an orthodontist.

+1

The dentist was right that I needed Invisalign, but I bought it from an orthodontist who does Invisalign all day long.

I was moving my jaw into sideways positions to try and chew my food, and my teeth were jam packed in so it was impossible to floss. All that was fixed with Invisalign.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to go to a dentist in Old Town Alexandria where they tried to upsell you on everything. There was only one dentist and you got minimal time with the dentist (once I showed up for a dental appointment and was told the dentist wasn't even there, but would I like to do some additional optional procedures?) but tons of time with the hygienists, who had cards they filled out with what they sold you, presumably for commission.

Dr. Hill?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My dentist said I needed to get a mouth guard like five years ago so I went through with it (insurance covered it so no huge deal). I found it too obtrusive so stopped wearing it. Dentist has never once brought up the mouth guard -- or my lack of using it -- since I got it.

It's almost as if they just wanted to sell me a mouth guard, considering the conditions that led them to recommend it have magically disappeared.

This. Same. I needed a mouth guard but suddenly, nope. No mention of it. I also worry the same thing is happening with ‘deep cleanings’. The dental hygienist said ‘oh you’re teeth must bleed when you brush, which tells you you need one’ but no, actually my teeth don’t bleed when I brush.