Home › Forums › Open Discussion › Dentist who doesn't require ex-rays
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April 28, 2014 at 7:47 pm #611163
birdrescuerParticipantI only need cleaning every 8 months. I do not need a regular exam or nd know what I need and want. Anyone know someone who will clean my teeth and leave me to decide what is right for me? I would sign a waiver it that is needed.
April 29, 2014 at 12:07 am #807612
queseraMemberI would call Velling Dental on Roxbury (206-767-3480) and ask them their policy. They are not sales-y at all.
April 29, 2014 at 3:29 am #807613
JanSParticipantso, a question, birdrescuer….how will a dentist (or you) ever know whats going on below the gumline? Ex-ray vision? Hunches? Are you saying you never want x-rays?
April 29, 2014 at 4:26 am #807614
happywalkerParticipantThat’s right Jan, how could a dentist possibly know what’s festering below the gum tissue, whether there is any periodontal disease, any abscess, decay between the teeth that can not be seen visually, without x-rays. When was your last set of xrays taken…your, last dental exam?
You are exactly the type of patient that we (in the dental field) hate to have come in. It’s called supervised neglect to not do a through exam and get current films.
April 29, 2014 at 4:58 am #807615
Seattle TrashMemberGood luck birdrescuer! I’m not sure about my dentists requirement, or I’d recommend. Hope you can find a place to make your own treatment decisions in a no-pressure environment.
April 29, 2014 at 7:52 am #807616
singularnameParticipantMany folks can’t afford the exorbitant costs of x-rays, so hate all you want … sheesh. I’ve had more harm done (and attempted harm done) by licensed “respectable” dentists than not.
To the OP, you might call Dunham. He is excellent, doesn’t oversell, and doesn’t judge. Excellent staff, too. And they’ll let you walk out owing 40 bucks without having or inciting a panic attack.
April 29, 2014 at 1:29 pm #807617
happywalkerParticipant4 bitewing (cavity detecting xrays) cost ~$62 every 18-24 months. One complete set or full mouth series cost ~ $125 good for 3-5 yrs…,exorbitant??. I’m not a hater. Most dentists are not out to “get you”, perhaps you just chose a non “respectable” one. Maybe you are just one of those who like to tell the dental professional how to do their job. Chill out
April 29, 2014 at 2:49 pm #807618
2 Much WhineParticipantI was wondering as well why anyone would want to go against medical professional recommendations. I just assumed that birdrescuer didn’t like being exposed to x-ray radiation. That’s all I could come up with.
April 29, 2014 at 3:23 pm #807619
VBDParticipantIf radiation is the reason (and who are we to speculate?), it may be comforting to know that the doses from dental x-rays are not any where as high today as they were 20+ years ago. Not only do the machines focus the beam better onto just the teeth being x-rayed, the use of improved protective aprons keep any stray rays from hitting the body.
A significant improvement occurred with digital x-ray technology. Digital takes much less exposure to create an image than film does, so the radiation dose is usually lower.
So if radiation is, in fact, the concern, look for a dentist using modern digital x-ray equipment. Also find a dentist willing to discuss minimizing the number of images.
April 29, 2014 at 3:45 pm #807620
birdrescuerParticipantIn a million years I would not have guessed that my simple question would have garnered so much discussion, criticism and judgement. I am 71 and haven’t had a cavity in 40 years, If I had discomfort I would get ex-rays or whatever else I needed. I am not afraid of the rays. I just don’t want to spend money unnecessarily. I when I go to a medical doctor, I can deny treatment. I should be able to do the same at a dentist if I so choose—-especially if I a willing to sign a waiver.
I also don’t want an exam by the dentist each time I go for cleaning.
Yesterday to get my teeth cleaned it wound up costing almost $200 without ex-rays. Not OK.
I’d rather donate that to a charity.
April 29, 2014 at 4:06 pm #807621
happywalkerParticipantI would venture to say it was not just a “routine” cleaning for $200, especially if was in WS,sounds a bit high. Signing a waiver is a good idea for the dentist to have you do. It would take the neglect of care from him/her. Happy brushing AND flossing birdrescuer
April 29, 2014 at 5:12 pm #807622
birdrescuerParticipantNo it was a cleaning and an exam which I hadn’t asked for and didn’t want.
April 29, 2014 at 6:19 pm #807623
singularnameParticipantNice representation of the dental industry there, HW. You contradict yourself twice, have a bead on what individuals should be obligated to afford, and allude to some formal price list floating around somewhere. A big thumbs up to you and your expertise!
April 29, 2014 at 6:33 pm #807624
happywalkerParticipantHow did I contradict myself singu? Not saying what they should be obligated to afford, just what is necessary for for an occasional diagnosis to keep good oral health. Not “floating” a formal price list around…just stating the facts as I know them to be. It’s all priorities.
April 29, 2014 at 9:40 pm #807625
JeannieParticipantBirdrescuer, I second the recommendation of Dr. Dunham or one of the other dentists in his group. Prices are more reasonable than what you paid, and they’re good people. I called a bunch of dentists to get their prices, and I made it very clear that I had X-rays less than a year ago, so no problem. I will get X-rays when I go in again in the fall.
April 29, 2014 at 11:43 pm #807626
UrbanFabulousParticipantWe go see a well known West Seattle dentist who charges about $200 for his cleanings as well. The hubs is a dental-phob who finally found a dentist he likes, so we pay what he charges.
April 30, 2014 at 3:18 am #807627
happywalkerParticipantthere you go, urban…,it’s all about priorities, thats what I’m talkin ’bout
April 30, 2014 at 4:35 am #807628
UrbanFabulousParticipantYes, but we’re fortunate that we can afford to pay for dental work. My husband had 10 root canals last year and we had no dental insurance. The majority of people can’t do that.
May 2, 2014 at 5:37 pm #807629
blblParticipantI’m with you birdrescuer. It really doesn’t matter why you don’t want x-rays and you don’t have to justify your decision to anyone, including the dentist, but especially to this forum. Dentists are in the customer service business. They work for you, remember. If you don’t want a service they are selling, you certainly don’t have to accept and pay for it.
May 2, 2014 at 10:39 pm #807630
SammiTMemberWhat you don’t know is that happywalker is actually the tooth fairy.
May 3, 2014 at 5:11 pm #807631
happywalkerParticipantShhh…Perhaps a little something special under you pillow SammiT.
May 22, 2014 at 3:32 pm #807632
HollyWMemberI think there is a lack of understanding of the medical profession, Department of Health policy, and maintaining a license for Health Professionals – the key word being professionals. Every time you walk into a Doctors office and receive care – you have established a doctor/client relationship. Certain assumptions are made by the licensing board and in the profession and amongst the public, as well. That is: the Doctor has examined you and explained clearly what diagnostics or treatments are medically recommended. Based on these recommendations by the medical professional, yes, it is up to you, the client to decline or pursue diagnostics and treatments. If you do decline against medical advice – the onus is on you. Everything is documented. So, yes blbl, she does need to explain why, when entering in to a client/doctor relationship and requesting a service, that she is then refusing part of that service, she does need to explain why, in order to document that refusal in the medical record.
May 22, 2014 at 6:50 pm #807633
birdrescuerParticipantI have offered to sign a release and this doc refuses. Although I like the people, I don’t like the policy so I’m going to try to find someone else.
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