I went in for an introductory special they were offering to new patients. I knew I needed some work that my regular dentist didn't handle but that was about all. I immediately got a bad vibe when I went in to make an appointment and the lady behind the desk started talking about my needing a root scaling. I was curious as to how she would know this considering I'd just had a cleaning at a different dentist three months prior and no one at this office had yet to even look in my mouth. But that was only the beginning. \r
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After my initial appointment they tried to convince me that I was in need of nearly $3000 in dental work.! Remember I'd just been to the dentist three months prior and not a word had been spoken of all the work that these folks were now recommending. Needless to say I immediately decided to seek out a second opinion from my primary dentist. While I was on the phone making the appointment and telling the office manager about my experience and what they wanted to do she immediately knew what I was about to say before I said it. She promptly started guessing what they were suggesting and it was like she had the list in front of her. Apparently its a not uncommon practice for some offices to make their money by peforming procedures that you really don't need. Needless to say the second opinion from my regular dentist confirmed what I'd been suspecting: very little if any of the procedures they were suggesting were actually necessary. \r
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In fairess to them its a beautiful office with high tech equipment and a courteous professional staff. But theres a major catch to all of that high overhead. They need someone to help pay for it. Thats where you come in! They tell you they aren't on anyone's insurance. They say thats because they don't want to let the insurance companies dictate their patients care. Thats a nice story but it only tells half the truth. The truth is that while they offer good quality dental care, for the most part (at least in my case it was) its overkill dentistry. Insurance companies aren't in the habit of paying for work that you really don't need. Hence why these folks go to such length to let you know that you and not your insurance provider are ultimately responsible for the fees they charge.\r
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Think of it like going to your mechanic for an oil change and while you are there they try to convince you to change all your belts, hoses, tires, brakes, wipers and get a complete overhaul of the carburator, transmission, radiator, and rear axel differential. \r
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Here's the checklist they may tell you you need: Root scaling, replace all your old fillings, crowns for old fillings they can't replace. When you go see if they offer all of that to you. But before you agree to any of it get a second opinion and see how much of it you really need. The difference may suprise you.
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