Jessica, I looked for a post where there are no commenters as I’d like to ask a question regarding dentistry. My wife and I have never been a fan of x-rays. Of course Google searches show that X-rays are safe and effective. I get why dentists want them, to see inbetween teeth etc. my wife and I are looking for cleanings only. We dropped our dental insurance and want to pay cash, which is know is not desirable either for an office. Year after year, even when we do opt for x-rays, the dentist looks at the X-rays for 30 seconds and says “everything looks great!” Even hygentists tell us our teeth are some of the cleanest they have seen. To my question, are there dentists that do cleanings only without x-rays? I don’t mind every few years if I have a problem, but the frequency at which it’s recommended by ADA just doesn’t sit well, especially after my dentist started checking for mouth cancer a decade or so ago. I’m thinking does x-rays exacerbate mouth cancer? A debate for another day. Anyway, if you have any recommendations, I’d appreciate it. We are in Charlotte area.
Great to hear from you and happy to offer advice! Perhaps I should start writing again and give my two cents about how I feel with regards to the practice of dentistry. It seems there are plenty of people writing about COVID and the lies we have lived through!!
Based on what you have shared, this is how I would handle your case in my practice. First, I prefer patients without insurance!! Insurance companies become a third wheel in the doctor/patient relationship and are not much of a benefit financially for those who have good teeth with good homecare. Patients like you with a good dental history, I typically move to an every 2-3 three year xray interval. I have some patients that just flat out refuse and I honor that desire, despite dental school preaching that you must shame the patient into xrays. For my patients that express concern about frequency, I request that we come to an interval that we both feel comfortable. I never want to come off as pestering a patient, it is not good for the trust I am trying to build.
If you are looking for a dentist in the area where you live to practice more like I do, you likely need to find a solo practitioner that has some years under his/her belt. My motto going into my 24th year of practicing is, the less I do for you the better off you will be. In other words, the minimum for the maximum benefit.
I hope this helps! I do not know anyone in your area that has a similar practice philosophy. I do have a friend who is an orthodontist in Charlotte and I will ask her if she has any recommendations. She is likeminded and values patient autonomy!
Jessica, I looked for a post where there are no commenters as I’d like to ask a question regarding dentistry. My wife and I have never been a fan of x-rays. Of course Google searches show that X-rays are safe and effective. I get why dentists want them, to see inbetween teeth etc. my wife and I are looking for cleanings only. We dropped our dental insurance and want to pay cash, which is know is not desirable either for an office. Year after year, even when we do opt for x-rays, the dentist looks at the X-rays for 30 seconds and says “everything looks great!” Even hygentists tell us our teeth are some of the cleanest they have seen. To my question, are there dentists that do cleanings only without x-rays? I don’t mind every few years if I have a problem, but the frequency at which it’s recommended by ADA just doesn’t sit well, especially after my dentist started checking for mouth cancer a decade or so ago. I’m thinking does x-rays exacerbate mouth cancer? A debate for another day. Anyway, if you have any recommendations, I’d appreciate it. We are in Charlotte area.
Great to hear from you and happy to offer advice! Perhaps I should start writing again and give my two cents about how I feel with regards to the practice of dentistry. It seems there are plenty of people writing about COVID and the lies we have lived through!!
Based on what you have shared, this is how I would handle your case in my practice. First, I prefer patients without insurance!! Insurance companies become a third wheel in the doctor/patient relationship and are not much of a benefit financially for those who have good teeth with good homecare. Patients like you with a good dental history, I typically move to an every 2-3 three year xray interval. I have some patients that just flat out refuse and I honor that desire, despite dental school preaching that you must shame the patient into xrays. For my patients that express concern about frequency, I request that we come to an interval that we both feel comfortable. I never want to come off as pestering a patient, it is not good for the trust I am trying to build.
If you are looking for a dentist in the area where you live to practice more like I do, you likely need to find a solo practitioner that has some years under his/her belt. My motto going into my 24th year of practicing is, the less I do for you the better off you will be. In other words, the minimum for the maximum benefit.
I hope this helps! I do not know anyone in your area that has a similar practice philosophy. I do have a friend who is an orthodontist in Charlotte and I will ask her if she has any recommendations. She is likeminded and values patient autonomy!
Fantastic, thank you so much, I’d appreciate any referral. And appreciate the candidness as well.