Ask HN: How satisfied are you with your dental care?

2 points by tmamic 5 years ago | 3 comments

I've seen a large amount of posts in r/dentistry about shitty dental experiences. Is it just a reddit thing?

ksaj 5 years ago |

I have heard that dentistry and veterinary are the two most depressed vocations because people generally dislike having to visit them, and patient anxiety / pain adversity leads to less positive feedback. Reddit accepts a high level of cynicism which could easily amplify negative or alarmed perceptions. ("Kill it with fire!")

To counter this, a lot of dentists use phrases like "pain free" in their ad collateral, and include all kinds of joyful imagery in their offices.

The only problem I've had with my dentist, and it is such a minor quibble that is hardly worth mentioning (except that it is on-topic), is that after every appointment they try to sign me up for wisdom tooth extraction. I'm over 50 and have never had problems with my wisdoms - even the x-rays show them as being perfectly fine. Maybe harder to reach, but they're still clean and healthy anyway. So I just say "No thanks" and schedule my next appointment.

I think my hygienist has an awesome personality, so I don't give her any flack for trying to bring more money into the clinic.

tmamic 5 years ago | |

Thanks for sharing!

Yeah, I would say that good 20% of posts are about anxiety of dentist visits. But what I've seen many more stories about over-treatments. Luckily for you, your dentist didn't abuse your trust.

ksaj 5 years ago | | |

I think the constant attempt at signing me up for tooth extraction is an attempt at over-treatment. Especially since they always act as if it was I who requested it. Eg: Before I leave, I go to the front desk to schedule my next appointment. They say, every time, "When would you like to schedule your extraction?" which is clearly a dark pattern.

So I'm inclined to believe those stories. I just accept that dentists make more money from wisdom extractions, even if there's no reason to have the procedure. It only annoyed me the first few times until I realized they'll always be asking me this.

Incidentally, I think it's a lot like circumcision. A lot of natal doctors just assume they're going to be doing that without asking the parents. It's mostly done because it's a surgical (read: more money) procedure to add to the medical bill. It's pretty much illegal to cut without specific permission where I live now, but that was a common complaint before then.