Routine dental X-rays are not backed by evidence

You might be surprised that treatment recommendations vary dramatically from one dentist office to the next. [1] I am glad to know this about X-rays as well- it’s probably a useful indicator that if X-rays are not overprescribed the dentist will more likely not over treat. And if they react defensively to being told you want to follow the ADA guidelines that’s probably a sign they don’t think about whether they are over treating.

[1] https://www.rd.com/article/how-honest-are-dentists/

Two stories.

1) Just yesterday I went to a an acclaimed dental school (UNC) for low cost dental care. They not only gave me a panoramic x ray but also a full set of bite-wing x rays. I read this and I want to break the world apart this morning.

2) When I was a child I kep needing root canals. It turned out our dentist was making these all up and was later found passed out from laughing gas in his office.

I strongly suspect my dentist is making shit up, too. I had to refuse a couple of expensive treatments. The main goal seems to be to “use up” my dental insurance more than anything.

Setting aside the unnecessary procedures bit, the “use up my dental coverage” isn’t a bad way to look at dental insurance. Those things are priced in a way that they are basically almost pre-paid “use it or lose it” products, especially if it is private dental insurance. If you aren’t coming close to maxing out your dental (or vision) insurance you can probably get by with less. And if all you are ever really getting is cleanings unless it is an employer paid plan just pay out of pocket (or with your fsa/hsa)