Who Scams You More for Money - Dentists or Veterinarians?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How else are they supposed to earn a living? They provide a service, and if you choose to use their services, you must pay for it. You are paying for their time, expertise, the costs of being a business, etc. If you don't like it, find someone cheaper to mess with your teeth or your dog's health. Or watch some YouTube tutorials and go at it yourself.

Omg, why do we owe them a living? Dentists in the 19th century were on about the same level as snake oil salesmen. I'm not talking about Dental surgeons here, just garden variety dentists. I quit one on New Mexico Ave because he was clearly a junkie and stoned out of his mind most of the time during my visits. The hygenicist (sp) does most of the heavy lifting anyway. The guy seemed like a butt pincher--I would never allow myself to be unconscious with him--he just creeped me out.

You do not owe them a living and nothing I said implied that. I very clearly said that if you do not like the prices charged for the service by one dentist/vet, please find another one.

I don't have any problem with my vet or my dentist because I did my research before choosing them. There are plenty of reviews online- be proactive instead of being a whiner.

[Anonymous]

Jeez, I've never been more thankful for my dentist than today. He may not have the best bedside (chairside) manner, but I've never in my entire adult life going to this guy had him tell me I needed anything other than cleaning, x-rays, and fillings. And none of those are particularly expensive.

[Anonymous]

You do not owe them a living and nothing I said implied that. I very clearly said that if you do not like the prices charged for the service by one dentist/vet, please find another one.

You are not getting it. There is a cabal that operates in various zip codes. The Georgetown-to-lower Bethesda corridor is one of them. They set prices and the prices are all in line with each other. How do I know this? I used to work in sales at vet offices. I've visited them all, not kidding.

and yes, it's theoretically possible that a busy family could choose to visit a vet 45 miles away from their home to get better prices. That's really going to happen, just as I'm sure your child's pediatrician is an hour and a half drive each way, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

You do not owe them a living and nothing I said implied that. I very clearly said that if you do not like the prices charged for the service by one dentist/vet, please find another one.

You are not getting it. There is a cabal that operates in various zip codes. The Georgetown-to-lower Bethesda corridor is one of them. They set prices and the prices are all in line with each other. How do I know this? I used to work in sales at vet offices. I've visited them all, not kidding.

and yes, it's theoretically possible that a busy family could choose to visit a vet 45 miles away from their home to get better prices. That's really going to happen, just as I'm sure your child's pediatrician is an hour and a half drive each way, right?

So sell the dog to pay for surgery to remove all of your teeth and get yourself some dentures. No more need for a vet and no more need for a dentist. That'll stick it to 'em!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both, actually. I know dentists have the highest suicide rate--probably because so many of them are charlatans who couldn't get into med school. Vets also suffer insecurity complexes because they didn't get into med school. I'm sure there are exceptions, but I'd bet a fair number of older ones fit into this category. The younger ones of course, are actually the best and the brightest (Tufts Veterinary, etc.,) I know they have big over head but JEEBUS, we're talking cats and dogs here sheeple! I think their professional orgs just got together about 20 years ago and said: YOU KNOW WHAT? VETERINARY SCHOOL VERY IS EXPENSIVE! WE NEED TO GET A BETTER RETURN ON OUR INVESTMENT! AMERICANS LOVE THEIR PETS BEYOND ALL REASON! WE COULD BE CHARGING THEM 10 TIMES WHAT WE DO AND THEY WOULD STILL PAY!!! LET'S DO IT! And so it began and they never looked back.

Wow, not true at all. I have no vested interest in sticking up for vets, but it's generally known that it's harder to get into vet school. There just aren't that many of them. Not every state has one. Plus, it's not "just cats and dogs" but even if that were true, doctors only have to know one "speciality" - humans. Vets have to know all sorts of animals and be proficient at it. I had my cat many years ago in a vet school hospital, and listened as the vet quizzed the student, and she made all kinds of distinctions with the student: "what you just said is true of dogs, but not with cats" etc. I don't think any vet has an inferiority complex that they couldn't get into med school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Vets are the worst. They easily play on our emotions and lack of knowledge.

In this area I think this is a very accurate statement.

[Anonymous]

I just left my dentist and he checked my insurance before telling me what I needed. Since I had great insurance I'm not surprised I needed a lot of work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never had a problem with dentists, and we have insurance, so the insurance would be the one ripped off.
Vets have to be checked often. I ask them what is the absolute minimum that needs to be done and flat out tell them that we have limits as to what we're going to pay.

So that makes it okay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:and yes, it's theoretically possible that a busy family could choose to visit a vet 45 miles away from their home to get better prices. That's really going to happen, just as I'm sure your child's pediatrician is an hour and a half drive each way, right?

I'm not the PP, but we drive over 20 miles to see the vet and over an hour to the pediatrician. We like them and I think it's important to have a good relationship with doctors.

[Anonymous]

I lost respect for vets when they started charging for an office visit and an exam and for shaving the fur to examine the area. Um what exactly is the "office visit" charge if not for the exam? And what is the exam charge for if it doesn't include shaving the fur -- does it just cover the vet's eyeballs looking at the already shaven area? I'm surprised they don't charge for spraying the table and lifting the animal onto it, too.

FYI, I drove 45 minutes away and it was no better there. That vet charged me for three procedures to find out what was causing a rash and said two of them weren't likely to be the culprit. When I said, uh, why don't you just check for the thing you think it is then, he said, "because that's not the order we do it." Scum.

[Anonymous]

Dentists and periodontists. Give me stuff without telling me how much they cost. Like $100 toothbrushes. Oh, and trying to sell me cosmetic work. Feh!

[Anonymous]

How can a vet play on our lack of knowledge? I don't let them!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:and yes, it's theoretically possible that a busy family could choose to visit a vet 45 miles away from their home to get better prices. That's really going to happen, just as I'm sure your child's pediatrician is an hour and a half drive each way, right?

I'm not the PP, but we drive over 20 miles to see the vet and over an hour to the pediatrician. We like them and I think it's important to have a good relationship with doctors.

Good for you. (I'm not being snarky.)

It's your health and/or your pet's health we're talking about, people. If you're looking for quality, you may have to choose either low price or convenience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How else are they supposed to earn a living? They provide a service, and if you choose to use their services, you must pay for it. You are paying for their time, expertise, the costs of being a business, etc. If you don't like it, find someone cheaper to mess with your teeth or your dog's health. Or watch some YouTube tutorials and go at it yourself.

Omg, why do we owe them a living? Dentists in the 19th century were on about the same level as snake oil salesmen. I'm not talking about Dental surgeons here, just garden variety dentists. I quit one on New Mexico Ave because he was clearly a junkie and stoned out of his mind most of the time during my visits. The hygenicist (sp) does most of the heavy lifting anyway. The guy seemed like a butt pincher--I would never allow myself to be unconscious with him--he just creeped me out.

You do not owe them a living and nothing I said implied that. I very clearly said that if you do not like the prices charged for the service by one dentist/vet, please find another one.

I don't have any problem with my vet or my dentist because I did my research before choosing them. There are plenty of reviews online- be proactive instead of being a whiner.

Gee, I did my research and nothing I read prepared me for him to be stoned and be a potential butt pincher But thanks for the Pro Tip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both, actually. I know dentists have the highest suicide rate--probably because so many of them are charlatans who couldn't get into med school. Vets also suffer insecurity complexes because they didn't get into med school. I'm sure there are exceptions, but I'd bet a fair number of older ones fit into this category. The younger ones of course, are actually the best and the brightest (Tufts Veterinary, etc.,) I know they have big over head but JEEBUS, we're talking cats and dogs here sheeple! I think their professional orgs just got together about 20 years ago and said: YOU KNOW WHAT? VETERINARY SCHOOL VERY IS EXPENSIVE! WE NEED TO GET A BETTER RETURN ON OUR INVESTMENT! AMERICANS LOVE THEIR PETS BEYOND ALL REASON! WE COULD BE CHARGING THEM 10 TIMES WHAT WE DO AND THEY WOULD STILL PAY!!! LET'S DO IT! And so it began and they never looked back.

Wow, not true at all. I have no vested interest in sticking up for vets, but it's generally known that it's harder to get into vet school. There just aren't that many of them. Not every state has one. Plus, it's not "just cats and dogs" but even if that were true, doctors only have to know one "speciality" - humans. Vets have to know all sorts of animals and be proficient at it. I had my cat many years ago in a vet school hospital, and listened as the vet quizzed the student, and she made all kinds of distinctions with the student: "what you just said is true of dogs, but not with cats" etc. I don't think any vet has an inferiority complex that they couldn't get into med school.

I was being sort of facetious about the over charging, but I also said that I know that the current younger crop of vets out there are extremely bright and rigorously trained at places like Tufts V-school, etc. Even so, I still have my doubts about the ones that work on the really big, wild and exotic animals, like pandas and tigers those zoo animal seem to just quietly drop off like flies under vet care. And it's not as though the animals can complain. Sad pandas...don't get me started...