Is It Time to Look for Another Dentist? Part 1

American dentistry has long set the world’s standard for excellence. Consumers who receive the best American dental care usually can maintain healthy teeth for a lifetime. If current trends continue, however, high-quality dental care may soon become rare and expensive in the U.S.

During the past 25 years, dentistry in America has seen numerous changes in technology, treatment techniques, marketing and traditions of practice. Some of these changes have benefited consumers, but many have been detrimental to both consumers and dentists. Long gone are the days when choosing a dentist and a treatment was simple. Today’s consumer seeking the best dental deal is faced with a bewildering profusion of options.

For example, there are single (individual) practitioners, dental-school clinics, union clinics, HMOs (health maintenance organizations), and referral schemes; “holistic dentistry” and conventional treatments; fixed bridges, removable bridges, and implants; silver fillings and plastic fillings; mouthwash regimens and gum surgery. But which options are reasonable? Which are fraudulent? And what are the tip-offs of dental wrongdoing?

Dishonest Dentists?
The lead article in the February 1997 issue of Reader’s Digest asked: “How Honest Are Dentists?” William Ecenbarger, the article’s author, conducted a multi-state investigation to answer this question.

Dentist John Dodes and two other experts examined Ecenbarger’s mouth separately to establish a diagnostic baseline. Ecenbarger specified that he did not need or want any strictly cosmetic services. The three panelists decided, independently, that he had only two dental problems: a decayed tooth that needed a filling or a crown and a faulty crown, replacement of which was optional.

Ecenbarger then visited 50 dentists he had “randomly selected … from the Yellow Pages in 28 states and the District of Columbia.” He told each dentist that he was relocating, that he had good insurance coverage, and that he was satisfied with the appearance of his teeth. Only 12 of these dentists properly diagnosed the problems the expert panel had discovered. Many wrongly told Ecenbarger he needed extensive treatment. Fifteen dentists did not identify the decayed tooth, and three told Ecenbarger he didn’t have any dental problems. Prices for proposed treatment ranged from about $500 to more than $29,000.

Considering that most of the treatment plans submitted to Ecenbarger were inaccurate, inappropriate or fraudulent, how confident can a dental consumer be? Add to this the burgeoning problems of quackery and hurried, incompetent “care,” and it seems dental consumers have much to be concerned about.

Maybe the most widespread dental practice is teeth bleaching. Teeth whitening pen provides the great and reliable opportunity if it comes to convenience of use.