Dentist Rant

Mr. Incognito

I live in Rathmines and booked a cleaning with the Dentist as I am going to a wedding next week.

I look after my teeth so they are in good nick- only ever had two filings and I am over 30.

I had a Canadian Dentist in the North Circular Road up to 2009 and he was a gent. he has since married and moved home so haven't had a regular dentist since.

Instead of giving me the cleaning I wanted she did an examination and provided me with a "dental treatment plan" which is three cleanings and three filings and over €600. I am so annoyed. What a waste of my time that I took time off work yesterday for this chancer. She was explaining the unnecessary procedures to me and when she said I needed more than one cleaning she had the balls to smile fleetingly.

I am now ringing around dentists to get a quote for a cleaning this morning.

UPDATE on quotes.
Ballsbridge €80,
Burlington St €95 Clean Plus €80 examination, €175!!!!
Baggot Street €10 Examination €80 Scale and polish or €140 intensive clean

Portabello €60. Booked.

I can't believe that one dentist in the area is triple to cost of the other one. What a scam

So AH- any more dentist rip-off stories?

Pherekydes

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

...three cleanings and three filings...

Why do you need filings? Are they using iron filings?

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Can someone tell me why fillings are necessary ?

I had a big one but it fell out years later and ive never bothered to get it redone

whiskeyman

Do you pay PRSI?
Are you not entitled to a free clean / checkup once a year anymore?

biko

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

booked a cleaning with the Dentist as I am going to a wedding next week.

I can honestly say to do that has never crossed my mind until today.

Birneybau

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime wrote: »

Can someone tell me why fillings are necessary ?

I had a big one but it fell out years later and ive never bothered to get it redone

I had one that fell out, didn't get it replaced, whole back of tooth eventually crumbled.

A filling keeps the integrity of the tooth walls sound.

PLL

I have an abscess and I couldn't get an emergency appointment in any dentist yesterday. I was going to wait until this morning but the pain got really bad. I went to the emergency doctor and paid €60 for her to just give me a random amoxicillian capsule from the cupboard and a prescription for the same.

fiona-f

2009 is a very long time ago. I get a free PRSI checkup each year (doesn't get much less rip-off than free) and I pay to go twice yearly to dental hygienist. They can clean in ways you simply cannot match at home. So if you only have three catch-up cleanings since 2009, then you are doing pretty well and have presumably saved much more on the missed appointment and cleaning costs over the last five years?

While I know you anticipated only one cleaning, I would be slow to ignore her warnings about fillings - I would much rather a small filling now than a big root canal down the line.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Birneybau wrote: »

I had one that fell out, didn't get it replaced, whole back of tooth eventually crumbled.

A filling keeps the integrity of the tooth walls sound.

Oh right.

See its over the far left corner of my mouth and i only chew on the far right of my mouth. ..... probably why its lasted so long

Mr. Incognito

fiona-f wrote: »

2009 is a very long time ago. I get a free PRSI checkup each year (doesn't get much less rip-off than free) and I pay to go twice yearly to dental hygienist. They can clean in ways you simply cannot match at home. So if you only have three catch-up cleanings since 2009, then you are doing pretty well and have presumably saved much more on the missed appointment and cleaning costs over the last five years?

While I know you anticipated only one cleaning, I would be slow to ignore her warnings about fillings - I would much rather a small filling now than a big root canal down the line.

That's wise advice and I have no problem about that or going back for treatment. The problem is that I wanted a clean, booked for a clean and instead got a fifteen minute appointment where she put together a scam plan. There was another sucker lined up to go in fifteen minutes later. Even if my teeth were rotting out of my head I would have had to come back or that lad would have been told to come back thereby screwing one of us over.

If she had cleared the time to do the procedure I wanted, asked for, booked and turned up for instead of giving me a invoice for future works I wouldn't be so irate.

wretcheddomain

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

I can't believe that one dentist in the area is triple to cost of the other one. What a scam

If you've been to the dentist several times then you should know the drill by now. :rolleyes:

Tilly

I got xrays and a clean for €35 in my dentist on my prsi last week. Had you used your stamps already this year?

Duggy747

I made eye contact with a dentist once, ended up having to pay him €700 for the privilege.

eviltimeban

Duggy747 wrote: »

I made eye contact with a dentist once, ended up having to pay him €700 for the privilege.

I like to stare directly at them when they are doing their work; it really unnerves them.

Beano

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

I live in Rathmines and booked a cleaning with the Dentist as I am going to a wedding next week.

I look after my teeth so they are in good nick- only ever had two filings and I am over 30.

I had a Canadian Dentist in the North Circular Road up to 2009 and he was a gent. he has since married and moved home so haven't had a regular dentist since.

Instead of giving me the cleaning I wanted she did an examination and provided me with a "dental treatment plan" which is three cleanings and three filings and over €600. I am so annoyed. What a waste of my time that I took time off work yesterday for this chancer. She was explaining the unnecessary procedures to me and when she said I needed more than one cleaning she had the balls to smile fleetingly.

I am now ringing around dentists to get a quote for a cleaning this morning.

UPDATE on quotes.
Ballsbridge €80,
Burlington St €95 Clean Plus €80 examination, €175!!!!
Baggot Street €10 Examination €80 Scale and polish or €140 intensive clean

Portabello €60. Booked.

I can't believe that one dentist in the area is triple to cost of the other one. What a scam

So AH- any more dentist rip-off stories?

Well its not really three times the price though is it? €80 of it is for an initial examination. which i would expect any reputable dentist to do for a new patient. especially one that hasnt been to a dentist in 5 years. Finding a dentist that you trust and that does good work is more important than saving a few quid.

Uriel.

eviltimeban wrote: »

I like to stare directly at them when they are doing their work; it really unnerves them.

I dunno, I usually go to "Smiles" and most of the dentists and their assistants are female (and quite good looking) - I find starting at them for 45 mins might be a bit pervy...

also staring at them like you say is less likely to unnerve them and more likely to unnerve you...with the slip of a drill

Beano

Uriel. wrote: »

...
also staring at them like you say is less likely to unnerve them and more likely to unnerve you...with the slip of a drill

i see what you did there.

the_syco

eviltimeban wrote: »

I like to stare directly at them when they are doing their work; it really unnerves them.

WHy would you want someone that is using power tools in your mouth to be "unnerved"? :pac:

Uriel.

Beano wrote: »

i see what you did there.

I did nothing..... Nothing!


Nothing...


At ALL!!!

Bog Standard User

the dentist above tescos in phibsborough is pretty good and charges a reasonable rate. the missus was charged €60 for a wisdom tooth extraction

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

UPDATE on quotes.

€34 ...

My brother was told a dental implant would cost him 2000 euro. He was presented with a bill for 4300 euro.

Beano

Bog Standard User wrote: »

the dentist above tescos in phibsborough is pretty good and charges a reasonable rate. the missus was charged €60 for a wisdom tooth extraction

Is it the same guy that was there 20 years ago? He still gives me nightmares. Care and compassion were not amongst his qualities.

Hotfail.com

whiskeyman wrote: »

Do you pay PRSI?
Are you not entitled to a free clean / checkup once a year anymore?

Looks like it..

Dental Benefit
Under this scheme, the Department pays the full cost of an oral examination once a calendar year. The examination is provided by private dentists who are on the Department of Social Protection's panel. Lists of dentists on the panel are available on welfare.ie. Most dentists are on the panel so you should not have any difficulty finding one. The dentist will have the application forms. These forms require details such as your Personal Public Service Number (PPSN). If you are a dependent spouse or civil partner, you should give the PPSN of the insured person.

ballsymchugh

the burlington clinic is a specialist clinic. comparing them to the others is like comparing a cardiologist at the mater with your GP.

Got a filling, it went to ****, bits coming out all the time, they wanted me to pay again.
Had to get a baby-tooth pulled when the new tooth came down slightly out of line. Dunno what he did but he seemed to leave most of the pulp, was sore for a few years, apparently normal. Or at least normal enough for someone who couldn't pay. :P
Friend had to get something done after chipping a tooth, whatever they put in fell out, they charged him again to get it fixed but at least they gave him the third one free. :P

Bog Standard User

Beano wrote: »

Is it the same guy that was there 20 years ago? He still gives me nightmares. Care and compassion were not amongst his qualities.

no this guy is only in his 30's

the_monkey

Dentists are the biggest scam artists out there, always telling me bs that i need this and that - one guy told me I wouldn't get a job in America cos I had a small gap in my teeth - what total and utter tosh, Americans laughed when I told them that

the_monkey

the_monkey wrote: »

Dentists are the biggest scam artists out there,

I dunno, vets can be pretty hilarious at it too.

hairybelly

I dont know why general anasthetic is so expensive and why they're so reluctant to give it.
I really dont like dentists, and if I can knocked out for the procedure then I'll take it! They seem really irritated when you ask about it for some reason.

Beano

hairybelly wrote: »

I dont know why general anasthetic is so expensive and why they're so reluctant to give it.
I really dont like dentists, and if I can knocked out for the procedure then I'll take it! They seem really irritated when you ask about it for some reason.

Cos if they do it wrong then you die. Anesthetists are one of the highest paid medical specialists.

Piliger

A couple of years ago I got my teeth done in Poland. I found an absolutely fabulous fabulous dentist. It cost me €3,600 total, including flights and hotels over about 4 visits. The quote here in Dublin was €12,800.
The most modern dental surgery and equipment.

hairybelly

Beano wrote: »

Cos if they do it wrong the you die. Anesthetists are one of the highest paid medical specialists.

I know yeah, I understand the risks of it, but I just wish it was as openly available in dentistry as it was in normal medicine.

Piliger

hairybelly wrote: »

I dont know why general anasthetic is so expensive and why they're so reluctant to give it.

Because it's so bloody dangerous !

I really dont like dentists, and if I can knocked out for the procedure then I'll take it! They seem really irritated when you ask about it for some reason.

A little injection is too much for you ?

hairybelly

Piliger wrote: »

Because it's so bloody dangerous !
A little injection is too much for you ?

No, painful procedures like removing wisdom teeth and root canals are too painful for me.
Injections have gone wrong for me in the past too, bad experience with dentists all my life.
I have a big fear of them.

diomed

The reason the OP has only two fillings is that he doesn't go to the dentist.
I am sure there are toothless people everywhere who have had zero fillings.

the_syco

Piliger wrote: »

The quote here in Dublin was €12,800.
The most modern dental surgery and equipment.

Blame the mad insurance prices here.

uch

There a fella in Ballybrack that does free checkup's, and Cleaning is €60 yoyo's, Not a Rip off but good service,

Piliger

hairybelly wrote: »

No, painful procedures like removing wisdom teeth and root canals are too painful for me.
Injections have gone wrong for me in the past too, bad experience with dentists all my life.
I have a big fear of them.

absolutely ditto. I get you completely. I've had a life long dental challenge starting with a year in the dental hosp when I was 13.

Sometimes dentists are a lottery at giving injections too.

I started to get the nerves when going to one too. Then it all changed when I went to my polish guy. Painless injection. Total confidence. You won't believe me but I had so many laughs with him over the many months. Amazing.

Beano

hairybelly wrote: »

No, painful procedures like removing wisdom teeth and root canals are too painful for me.
Injections have gone wrong for me in the past too, bad experience with dentists all my life.
I have a big fear of them.

if a root canal is too painful then you need to go a different dentist cos they are doing something wrong. They are no more painful than a regular filling.

pickarooney

Candie wrote: »

My brother was told a dental implant would cost him 2000 euro. He was presented with a bill for 4300 euro.

Those tools use a heck of a lot of water...

TheBandicoot

Hotfail.com wrote: »

Looks like it..

Wait, hold the phone, if I am paying PRSI(it appears on my payslip at least, I have never set up any insurance or been to a doctor/hospital etc in over a decade) I can get a free dental checkup?

Bog Standard User

dad got a full rack of dental implants (all top & bottom teeth) for €6500 in moldovia. all done perfectly and without problems

cheapest quote in ireland was €36000

uch

uch wrote: »

There a fella in Ballybrack that does free checkup's, and Cleaning is €60 yoyo's, Not a Rip off but good service,

What's a cleaning entail?

Piliger wrote: »

absolutely ditto. I get you completely. I've had a life long dental challenge starting with a year in the dental hosp when I was 13.

Sometimes dentists are a lottery at giving injections too.

I started to get the nerves when going to one too. Then it all changed when I went to my polish guy. Painless injection. Total confidence. You won't believe me but I had so many laughs with him over the many months. Amazing.

My mam had a dentist charge her €30 for each of the injections he gave her that didn't work, as well as for the one that did. :P Competence is an undervalued quality.

hairybelly

Beano wrote: »

if a root canal is too painful then you need to go a different dentist cos they are doing something wrong. They are no more painful than a regular filling.

Regular fillings have been extruciating for me in the past.
As I said, terrible experiences with dentists or maybe I just have particularly sensitive teeth.

Bog Standard User

hairybelly wrote: »

Regular fillings have been extruciating for me in the past.
As I said, terrible experiences with dentists or maybe I just have particularly sensitive teeth.

that or low pain tolerance.

for me local anesthesia wears off really quickly... i had to have a growth in my lower jaw bone removed with a drill.. no pain relief whatsoever. i now understand the pain people who donate bonemarrow must go through

uch

Deleted User wrote: »

What's a cleaning entail?
.

Scale and Polish

uch

uch wrote: »

Scale and Polish

Jaysus, only 20 where I am.

DublinWriter

eviltimeban wrote: »

I like to stare directly at them when they are doing their work; it really unnerves them.

Yeah...like I really want the person drilling into my teeth not to have their mind on the job.

Piliger

Beano wrote: »

if a root canal is too painful then you need to go a different dentist cos they are doing something wrong. They are no more painful than a regular filling.

Correct. I had a root canal that took the guy 3.5 hours (!) I actually fell asleep twice and didn't feel a tickle.

I have very sensitive bottom front teeth and I always used to tell the dentist and reminded him to give me an extra one.

GreeBo

FYI a filling does more than hold the tooth together, it prevents decay on the soft inner part of the tooth!

Do not ignore holes or missing fillings!