Pain of dental fees mounts for Albertans

[calgarywinning]

I think we are way off topic on this thread. The cost of dental is always expensive and annoying, but it's grown exponentially out of control in this province.

The reality is for a basic checkup & cleaning going to the dentist could be a family vacation. I've noticed it and while I pay, it's become overly excessive.

[Northendzone]

I am actually surprised that dentists in other provinces have not followed suit with alberta and gotten rid of the fee guide as well, as it seems like it has been a good thing for the dentists here.

although that being said, I will concede that every time I go to the dentist it seems like they have a new piece of technology to speed things up.

[MillerTime GFG]

I have actually been contemplating posting a thread about peoples' experience with their dentist, so this thread is as good a place as any.

My family and I go to Sierra Dental in Westhills. Every time I go, I just get an uneasy feeling. They're all super nice, don't get me wrong, but that is kind of part of the issue. I feel like I am being up-sold on absolutely everything. Checkups every 3 months, preventative this, preventative that. I "must grind my teeth in my sleep", I need a retainer. (I don't grind my teeth in my sleep).

I get it's a business just like anything, but it seems completely over the top. Anyone else have similar experiences?

[oilyfan]

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

I have actually been contemplating posting a thread about peoples' experience with their dentist, so this thread is as good a place as any.

My family and I go to Sierra Dental in Westhills. Every time I go, I just get an uneasy feeling. They're all super nice, don't get me wrong, but that is kind of part of the issue. I feel like I am being up-sold on absolutely everything. Checkups every 3 months, preventative this, preventative that. I "must grind my teeth in my sleep", I need a retainer. (I don't grind my teeth in my sleep).

I get it's a business just like anything, but it seems completely over the top. Anyone else have similar experiences?

I agree, compared to a doctors visit a dentist visit seems very much like a business transaction. Complete with waivers about charging your credit card for any overages not recovered from the insurance company, recommendations to get earlier checkups and on and on.

[mrkajz44]

If you are getting an uneasy feeling, then I'd recommend going somewhere else.

I go to a place downtown in Banker's Court (Ambiance Dental). I enjoy the staff and while I get the "upselling" feeling on certain items, I politely decline and make my own check-up schedule and they have no issue with it at all. As soon as you stop trusting them, you are likely going to not take their advice, especially on preventative items (as you've already mentioned).

Case in point - I had no idea I grind my teeth at night, but that's what they told me. I was skeptical at first as well, but since I trusted them, I got a mouth piece for sleeping and got some build-up on a few teeth. I used to have a lot of cavities, sore jaw, and teeth sensitivity before that, and now I have none. I have no doubt now that they were right and the grinding, even though I still cannot sense it when I sleep.

[Weitz]

I hate Calgary for this.

Grew up in places with fluoride in the water... No Cavities in 21 years. Move to Calgary and 3 in 3 years!

Anecdotal I know.. But I can't help but think that is the reason.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

If you are getting an uneasy feeling, then I'd recommend going somewhere else.

I go to a place downtown in Banker's Court (Ambiance Dental). I enjoy the staff and while I get the "upselling" feeling on certain items, I politely decline and make my own check-up schedule and they have no issue with it at all. As soon as you stop trusting them, you are likely going to not take their advice, especially on preventative items (as you've already mentioned).

Case in point - I had no idea I grind my teeth at night, but that's what they told me. I was skeptical at first as well, but since I trusted them, I got a mouth piece for sleeping and got some build-up on a few teeth. I used to have a lot of cavities, sore jaw, and teeth sensitivity before that, and now I have none. I have no doubt now that they were right and the grinding, even though I still cannot sense it when I sleep.

I also go to Ambiance. Very expensive but I like the convenience and they seem to do a really good job.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

I have actually been contemplating posting a thread about peoples' experience with their dentist, so this thread is as good a place as any.

My family and I go to Sierra Dental in Westhills. Every time I go, I just get an uneasy feeling. They're all super nice, don't get me wrong, but that is kind of part of the issue. I feel like I am being up-sold on absolutely everything. Checkups every 3 months, preventative this, preventative that. I "must grind my teeth in my sleep", I need a retainer. (I don't grind my teeth in my sleep).

I get it's a business just like anything, but it seems completely over the top. Anyone else have similar experiences?

I go there too and have the same experience. Always being upsold, and told I need to come back every three months (never had a cavity). Told me I needed a night guard for teeth grinding - I told them I saw a similar item at Shoppers Drug Mart is $15 so they gave it to me at cost.

Not to mention the constant harassment about upcoming appointments. E-mails and phone calls. I feel like I need a restraining order.

I wonder how much dental practice is evidence based. I wonder how many of their recommendations are better for them than me? Why does it seem every client needs a night guard and ever child needs braces?

Well, I don’t want to come across as one of those conspiracy theory nuts, but this blog post could very well be titled “Things Your Dentist Doesn’t Want You To Know.” :

https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org...s-be-with-you/

While I'm at it - put the flouride back in the water Calgary!

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by troutman

I go there too and have the same experience. Always being upsold, and told I need to come back every three months (never had a cavity). Told me I needed a night guard for teeth grinding - I told them I saw a similar item at Shoppers Drug Mart is $15 so they gave it to me at cost.

Not to mention the constant harassment about upcoming appointments. E-mails and phone calls. I feel like I need a restraining order.

I wonder how much dental practice is evidence based. I wonder how many of their recommendations are better for them than me? Why does it seem every client needs a night guard and ever child needs braces?

Well, I don’t want to come across as one of those conspiracy theory nuts, but this blog post could very well be titled “Things Your Dentist Doesn’t Want You To Know.” :

https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org...s-be-with-you/

While I'm at it - put the flouride back in the water Calgary!

The free market is sorting itself out in Calgary. Eventually all these bad dentists will be out of jobs. If you don't want to be taken to the cleaners it is your responsibility as a consumer to inform yourself about the costs of specific dental procedures.

i don't want to pay no stinking tax dollars to spendshi so he can put psychoactive chemicals in our water supply, no thank you!

[Izzle]

Not having fluoride in the water is very frustrating.

I feel like brushing my teeth with a fluoride toothpaste is not enough. Dang pronamel so expensive

Hmm... I should probably put this in the WRGMG(Teeth) thread.

[worth]

I have the exact opposite experience at my dentist. They schedule me in every 6 months, never up sell me anything. Have never said I need something I thought I didn't. Have never said I need a night guard or any of that crap. They knew I play hockey and gave me a custom fit mouth guard for free. Southport dental.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by MillerTime GFG

I have actually been contemplating posting a thread about peoples' experience with their dentist, so this thread is as good a place as any.

My family and I go to Sierra Dental in Westhills. Every time I go, I just get an uneasy feeling. They're all super nice, don't get me wrong, but that is kind of part of the issue. I feel like I am being up-sold on absolutely everything. Checkups every 3 months, preventative this, preventative that. I "must grind my teeth in my sleep", I need a retainer. (I don't grind my teeth in my sleep).

I get it's a business just like anything, but it seems completely over the top. Anyone else have similar experiences?

During a checkup the dentist said that my wisdom teeth needed to come out. They've grown in straight, caused me no spacing issues or pain, but there were apparently microcavities that "will only get worse" and they needed to come out. I balked and said that I'll only get them removed if they start bothering me, which visibly annoyed the dentist.

That was a couple of years ago, and my wisdom teeth are still fine. No pain, nothing is rotting away, gums are healthy, etc. The dentist feels worse than going to a mechanic these days

[Red]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

I am actually surprised that dentists in other provinces have not followed suit with alberta and gotten rid of the fee guide as well, as it seems like it has been a good thing for the dentists here.

although that being said, I will concede that every time I go to the dentist it seems like they have a new piece of technology to speed things up.

I imagine they are regulated everywhere else. Free for all in Alberta.
Let's call it another "Alberta Advantage"

Deregulation has its wrinkles. I wonder what people would say if the NDP went after the dentists and forced them to use a guide. Would we scream bloody murder like the Bill 6?

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

During a checkup the dentist said that my wisdom teeth needed to come out. They've grown in straight, caused me no spacing issues or pain, but there were apparently microcavities that "will only get worse" and they needed to come out. I balked and said that I'll only get them removed if they start bothering me, which visibly annoyed the dentist.

That was a couple of years ago, and my wisdom teeth are still fine. No pain, nothing is rotting away, gums are healthy, etc. The dentist feels worse than going to a mechanic these days

Yah, my dentist has been giving me the same talk every appointment for the last 10 years. He wants me to get my wisdom teeth out, but they're grown in now, and I don't have any issues with them. Guy still tries, but I think by now he knows I'm not going to do it.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

During a checkup the dentist said that my wisdom teeth needed to come out. They've grown in straight, caused me no spacing issues or pain, but there were apparently microcavities that "will only get worse" and they needed to come out. I balked and said that I'll only get them removed if they start bothering me, which visibly annoyed the dentist.

That was a couple of years ago, and my wisdom teeth are still fine. No pain, nothing is rotting away, gums are healthy, etc. The dentist feels worse than going to a mechanic these days

Yeah...similar to my experience. Mine grew in about 20 years ago...not issues.

The only teeth I've ever had issues with are the ones my dentist convinced to get caps on. Stuff grew in underneath the caps causing cavities. Only cavities I've ever had....although maybe the dentist putting in the fillings was the one pulling the scam, as I never actually had pain in these teeth.

[4X4]

oops, already posted apparently

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Weitz

I hate Calgary for this.

Grew up in places with fluoride in the water... No Cavities in 21 years. Move to Calgary and 3 in 3 years!

Anecdotal I know.. But I can't help but think that is the reason.

It likely is. I asked my dentist and they are seeing much more cavities especially in children since the city flip flopped on fluoride.

Back to the topic the fees are indeed getting out of hand. It's getting to the point where my benefits are only covering 2/3 of the bill when at one time they covered 90% at least . I'm submitting the rest through my wife's benefits so while I'm covered I really feel for people that only have one parent with benefits as they are left on the hook for over $100 for simple things like checkups.

[MillerTime GFG]

Not sure why it's not letting me quote you troutman, but this....SO MUCH THIS:

Not to mention the constant harassment about upcoming appointments. E-mails and phone calls. I feel like I need a restraining order.

It got to the point where I actually finally saved their phone number to my phone so I would know not to answer...akin to an ex-girlfriend.

Also, it's almost all females that work there, and almost all of them are gorgeous. Every inch of that place is so salesy. Glad you agree trout, my wife thinks I'm crazy, but she doesn't see dollar signs the same way I do.

[GoinAllTheWay]

My dentist told me to start using "Opti Rinse" mouthwash a few times a week. You can buy it from Shoppers Drugmart for $18/bottle.One bottle can last for a few months as you don't use much. pH neutral (I guess that's good) and tastes great.

[Ducay]

Hey Dentist and Hygenists; your "trick" of putting personal notes about my life in your system is completely transparent and off-putting.

Between that, the constant followup calls, etc, from reception, and the fact they always charge me 3 units of scaling (45 mins) regardless of how long it actually took, I might be looking for a new dentist.