Comments on: Why I Dislike American Dentists and What I Did About It http://criticalmas.com/2009/12/why-i-dislike-american-dentists-and-what-i-did-about-it/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-i-dislike-american-dentists-and-what-i-did-about-it Blog for Michael Allen Smith of Seattle Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:20:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Rachel http://criticalmas.com/2009/12/why-i-dislike-american-dentists-and-what-i-did-about-it/#comment-8580 Rachel Mon, 16 May 2011 00:54:01 +0000 http://criticalmas.com/?p=5070#comment-8580 Good for you taking the plunge :) I love going to the dentist in Thailand. Both the dentists I've had here (I've lived here for almost ten years) are BETTER than the rip-off dentist I had back in Los Angeles and do the work for a fraction of the cost. My root canal in Bangkok two years ago was about $120. In LA, $900 plus an extra $700 for the cap he wanted to put in my mouth. Needless to say I had a gap there for years as I wasn't about to pay $700 for a tooth you couldn't even see. Then.....moved to Thailand and got the tooth replaced for around $100. My dentist speaks fluent English, educated in the UK and has a clinic that's probably cleaner than the one I used to go to in LA. American dentists? Just like all medical care in the US (so stupidly expensive), you can keep it :) Good for you taking the plunge :)

I love going to the dentist in Thailand. Both the dentists I’ve had here (I’ve lived here for almost ten years) are BETTER than the rip-off dentist I had back in Los Angeles and do the work for a fraction of the cost.

My root canal in Bangkok two years ago was about $120. In LA, $900 plus an extra $700 for the cap he wanted to put in my mouth. Needless to say I had a gap there for years as I wasn’t about to pay $700 for a tooth you couldn’t even see. Then…..moved to Thailand and got the tooth replaced for around $100.

My dentist speaks fluent English, educated in the UK and has a clinic that’s probably cleaner than the one I used to go to in LA.

American dentists? Just like all medical care in the US (so stupidly expensive), you can keep it :)

]]> By: MAS http://criticalmas.com/2009/12/why-i-dislike-american-dentists-and-what-i-did-about-it/#comment-3348 MAS Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:07:13 +0000 http://criticalmas.com/?p=5070#comment-3348 Que - That is good to know. I don't object to all X-Rays, just the annual requirement. Maybe every 5 years is more reasonable? I'll ask about it the next time I visit the dentist...while traveling. :) Que –
That is good to know. I don’t object to all X-Rays, just the annual requirement. Maybe every 5 years is more reasonable? I’ll ask about it the next time I visit the dentist…while traveling. :)

]]> By: que http://criticalmas.com/2009/12/why-i-dislike-american-dentists-and-what-i-did-about-it/#comment-3347 que Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:04:58 +0000 http://criticalmas.com/?p=5070#comment-3347 I learned recently that they take the x-ray not only to look for cavities but also to check for periodontitis. In short, if there are too many bacteria for a long period of time between tooth and gum, the constant presence of the body's defense mechanisms start consuming and destroying the bones that hold the teeth. You can avoid that be thoroughly and frequently brushing / flossing / cleaning (how often varies from person to person). I myself haven't had any cavities for more than 20 years, but I didn't know I had the periodontal disease until my new dentist showed me the x-ray. But again, this is different for each person, some people might never have it. I learned recently that they take the x-ray not only to look for cavities but also to check for periodontitis. In short, if there are too many bacteria for a long period of time between tooth and gum, the constant presence of the body’s defense mechanisms start consuming and destroying the bones that hold the teeth. You can avoid that be thoroughly and frequently brushing / flossing / cleaning (how often varies from person to person). I myself haven’t had any cavities for more than 20 years, but I didn’t know I had the periodontal disease until my new dentist showed me the x-ray. But again, this is different for each person, some people might never have it.

]]> By: MAS http://criticalmas.com/2009/12/why-i-dislike-american-dentists-and-what-i-did-about-it/#comment-3334 MAS Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:39:03 +0000 http://criticalmas.com/?p=5070#comment-3334 Someone else mentioned to me offline that WaterPik makes a water jet that works as good , but complimentary, to flossing. I might get one or I might visit another 3rd world country in 6 months. ;) Someone else mentioned to me offline that WaterPik makes a water jet that works as good , but complimentary, to flossing. I might get one or I might visit another 3rd world country in 6 months. ;)

]]> By: Glenn http://criticalmas.com/2009/12/why-i-dislike-american-dentists-and-what-i-did-about-it/#comment-3331 Glenn Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:04:36 +0000 http://criticalmas.com/?p=5070#comment-3331 Nice post. I haven't been to any kind of dentist for over 14 years. My teeth are healthy and white. What's my secret? Flossing - thoroughly and aggressively - once or even twice a day. About two minutes of pain for the massive pleasure of avoiding dental visit and no cost... Nice post.
I haven’t been to any kind of dentist for over 14 years. My teeth are healthy and white. What’s my secret? Flossing – thoroughly and aggressively – once or even twice a day. About two minutes of pain for the massive pleasure of avoiding dental visit and no cost…

]]> By: thomas bondurant http://criticalmas.com/2009/12/why-i-dislike-american-dentists-and-what-i-did-about-it/#comment-3314 thomas bondurant Sun, 20 Dec 2009 07:16:36 +0000 http://criticalmas.com/?p=5070#comment-3314 In India you can get major surgeries done for about 30% of the cost. Here's the kicker...the long-term success rate is in the high 90th percentile; higher than in the U.S. Guess Indian docters come here for the money. In India you can get major surgeries done for about 30% of the cost. Here’s the kicker…the long-term success rate is in the high 90th percentile; higher than in the U.S. Guess Indian docters come here for the money.

]]> By: Ed http://criticalmas.com/2009/12/why-i-dislike-american-dentists-and-what-i-did-about-it/#comment-3312 Ed Sun, 20 Dec 2009 06:21:00 +0000 http://criticalmas.com/?p=5070#comment-3312 I've never thought twice about it. My company pays for my insurance and Im glad I have it. I had to get a crown on a mollar last summer and have a few other mollars with fractures so Im going to take advantage of the benefits of insurance since they pay 80%. But I understand if someone doesn't have it and has to drop dollars over for work done. But I think I side with Nick on this. I wouldn't go to a third world country for anything major. I’ve never thought twice about it. My company pays for my insurance and Im glad I have it. I had to get a crown on a mollar last summer and have a few other mollars with fractures so Im going to take advantage of the benefits of insurance since they pay 80%.

But I understand if someone doesn’t have it and has to drop dollars over for work done. But I think I side with Nick on this. I wouldn’t go to a third world country for anything major.

]]> By: MAS http://criticalmas.com/2009/12/why-i-dislike-american-dentists-and-what-i-did-about-it/#comment-3305 MAS Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:38:09 +0000 http://criticalmas.com/?p=5070#comment-3305 I agree Nick. I'd ask if they'd accept $15. :) I agree Nick. I’d ask if they’d accept $15. :)

]]> By: Nick http://criticalmas.com/2009/12/why-i-dislike-american-dentists-and-what-i-did-about-it/#comment-3304 Nick Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:53:25 +0000 http://criticalmas.com/?p=5070#comment-3304 Um, yeah, I just had a root canal done, at it was a very complicated procedure. I didn't like paying $800 for it, but there is no way in hell I'd trust someone to drill down into the middle of my tooth, scoop out all of the dead nerve, and fill it back up with rubber sealant for $20. Um, yeah, I just had a root canal done, at it was a very complicated procedure. I didn’t like paying $800 for it, but there is no way in hell I’d trust someone to drill down into the middle of my tooth, scoop out all of the dead nerve, and fill it back up with rubber sealant for $20.

]]> By: DHammy http://criticalmas.com/2009/12/why-i-dislike-american-dentists-and-what-i-did-about-it/#comment-3303 DHammy Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:07:36 +0000 http://criticalmas.com/?p=5070#comment-3303 I completely agree--dental insurance isn't really necessary. Many years ago I told my dentist that I only wanted X-rays every OTHER year (every 2 years) and they gladly complied. I have never had to remind them either...they tell me when the 2 years has expired. Like you, I eat very little sugar... never drink anything with sugar in it and my carbs are way lower than most. One wonders whether it's really necessary to do a cleaning twice a year. My dental tech always says I have very little tartar. Probably once a year would be more than sufficient. But insurance pays for two a year so I go to two heheh. I completely agree–dental insurance isn’t really necessary. Many years ago I told my dentist that I only wanted X-rays every OTHER year (every 2 years) and they gladly complied. I have never had to remind them either…they tell me when the 2 years has expired.

Like you, I eat very little sugar… never drink anything with sugar in it and my carbs are way lower than most. One wonders whether it’s really necessary to do a cleaning twice a year. My dental tech always says I have very little tartar. Probably once a year would be more than sufficient. But insurance pays for two a year so I go to two heheh.

]]>