Feeling ripped off by my dentist!

emmaa_uk

Last week, I had a check up with a dentist at the surgery I havent been too in about 3 years due to being unhappy with the treatment I received by a young girl who was new to the profession and she did hurt my teeth so I didnt go back. I havent been to one in over a year as I felt the last one wasnt much good either though she did give me check up and scale and polish too (rather quickly)
Anyway, I went to this one last week as I felt I needed check up and scale and polish but instead she was saying I needed 6 fillings on my upper teeth as I have tooth erosion which would cost £51.30 I nearly died I was so shocked as all I wanted was scale and polish and it was for my bottom teeth not top. Also said I could have hygienist for additional £55.
In the end I paid £18.80 and said I would get back her about having the fillings done because the dentist last year didnt tell me I needed this and I cant think my teeth have gotten that bad in a year since I dont eat a lot of sweets, smoke or drink to excess and always clean my teeth thoroughly.
I spoke to my mum and she said the dentist told her and my brother the same thing! I was annoyed because she didnt tell me before as she thought my teeth were in good condition.

It seems strange because I havent had any pain or sensitivity or any problems only that they needed a clean which to my annoyance I didnt get because she said she wouldnt clean my teeth until she did the fillings, this didnt seem right and I didnt want to go ahead.
Also I am 33 and she reckoned my teeth were poor for my age! I couldnt believe it because no one has ever said that only that I have white/lovely teeth.

Did I do the right thing not to go ahead or should I have had the treatment (though I did think fillings on my top back teeth would ruining them)
Please advise

Lioness_Twinkletoes

My advice would be to get a second opinion from another dentist. Ideally, visit one that is recommended by other people. I did this and my dentist is absolutely lovely.

purcel

people very often think that if there's no pain there's no problem, which is not the case. Get a second opinion if you don't trust the dentist. I would also advice to go more often than once every year or so to avoid getting surprises such as 6 fillings( or are they fissure sealants??).

Tooth erosion could be because of brushing too hard, by the way

And how are you being ripped off, you have paid the standard NHS charges?? And the dentist get paid the same whether they do 1 or 6 fillings!

custardy

You do realise teeth don't 'need a clean' regularly with a good brush/floss routine?

summerspring

She's unlikely to be drilling for cash if she's only getting £51 for 6 fillings, but it could be that she's got other reasons to do it. I have a new dentist who decided I 'needed' a filling or two, and I'm sure it was just so he could go and use the principal dentist's equipment and room instead of his own shabby little one, ha ha

POPPYOSCAR

custardy wrote: »

You do realise teeth don't 'need a clean' regularly with a good brush/floss routine?

So we are doing this for no reason?


Presumably you do not clean/floss and have great teeth? Lucky you!

purcel

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

So we are doing this for no reason?


Presumably you do not clean/floss and have great teeth? Lucky you!

Custardy probably meant that if you do clean/floss properly at home you should not need a clean from the dentist!

custardy

custardy wrote: »

You do realise teeth don't 'need a clean' regularly with a good brush/floss routine?

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

So we are doing this for no reason?


Presumably you do not clean/floss and have great teeth? Lucky you!

Lets try again shall we.
You dont 'need a clean' (from the OPs post) with a good brush/floss routine.
Clear?

nyc_451

purcel wrote: »

And the dentist get paid the same whether they do 1 or 6 fillings!

Yes but they have some point collecting system, so the more fillings she does, the more points she receives.

custardy wrote: »

Lets try again shall we.
You dont 'need a clean' (from the OPs post) with a good brush/floss routine.
Clear?

No, not clear. I have a good brush/floss routine but I still need a professional cleaning.

purcel

blue_mango wrote: »

Yes but they have some point collecting system, so the more fillings she does, the more points she receives.




No, not clear. I have a good brush/floss routine but I still need a professional cleaning.

Completely false! The "points collecting system" is called UDA's and the dentist gets 1 UDA for 1 Examination, 3 UDA's for any amount of fillings/extractions and 12 UDA's for dentures or crowns! That's for England

pickledonionspaceraider

blue_mango wrote: »

No, not clear. I have a good brush/floss routine but I still need a professional cleaning.

My dentist insists that oral health (like every other aspect of health) is often determined by genetics - however much you clean your teeth