Visits to dentist office for cleaning

[Mary Lou]

I would like to know what others experience when they go to their dentist's office for routine cleaning. My husband and I have our teeth cleaned at the dentist's office every 3 months. We also did this when we were up in Ohio. In Ohio, at each visit, after the hygenist was finished, the dentist would always come in and exam, perhaps check gums, etc.

Here in Florida, we rarely see the dentist. My husband is upset about this as every time he goes, he asks the hygenist how he is doing. They always tell him he is doing great. Now, they took some x-rays (and it has probably been way over a year since they last did this) and tell him he has a cavity near a crown and they don't know if it can be easily fixed.

We go to Palm Ridge Dental now. However, if there is a dentist out there who operates more like we are used to up north, we would be willing to make a change.

Thanks,

Mary Lou

[KathieI]

My dentist sees me only every other cleaning and Xrays are not taken as frequently as they used to unless there is a reason to do so. I feel this is to keep costs down, I would guess to see the dentist after each cleaning would drive up the cost of the cleaning. The hygienist has been trained to look over the inner part of the mouth for lesions, lumps, cancer signs and if concerned, then calls in the dentist. With today's costs of medical and dental treatments and much of which is not covered, I'd rather keep my personal costs down. However, if you feel you need to have this service, ask the dentist to see you whenever you feel you need it. JMO.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

It sounds like if you want a cleaning you have to make an appointment for a cleaning. If you want an exam by a dentist you have to make an appointment for that. They probably have very different costs.

You're going to find that not everything here is done the same as it was done up north.

"Toto, I don't think that we're in Ohio any more."

[ilovetv]

I agree with Kathy, and we see our dentist every other exam and x-rays are taken once a year along with other specialized checking the dr. does for oral cancer etc.

In every state we've lived, including here, the recommended cleaning/checkup time is 6 months, not 3, which works out fine with good daily electric brushing, flossing, and water jet. And sometimes, a cavity does form between or near a crown that is wearing out at the margins, and x-ray doesn't show what's under the crown if it's metal covered by porcelain.

It's not the dentists' or hygenist's fault that a cavity near crown became visible when it did.

[graciegirl]

I would like to know what others experience when they go to their dentist's office for routine cleaning. My husband and I have our teeth cleaned at the dentist's office every 3 months. We also did this when we were up in Ohio. In Ohio, at each visit, after the hygenist was finished, the dentist would always come in and exam, perhaps check gums, etc.

Here in Florida, we rarely see the dentist. My husband is upset about this as every time he goes, he asks the hygenist how he is doing. They always tell him he is doing great. Now, they took some x-rays (and it has probably been way over a year since they last did this) and tell him he has a cavity near a crown and they don't know if it can be easily fixed.

We go to Palm Ridge Dental now. However, if there is a dentist out there who operates more like we are used to up north, we would be willing to make a change.

Thanks,

Mary Lou




I understand your expectations because we too are from Ohio. Generally I always thought that you began your journey to have a dental exam by scheduling a cleaning, but it is so long since I "began" with a dentist having had the one in Ohio for forty years, I didn't know. We too go to Palm Ridge and I really, REALLY like the dentists there, both Kareem Jabar and Kathleen Williams.

[applesoffh]

We use Palm Ridge Dental also, and have never been disappointed with either the hygienists or the dentists. We schedule quarterly cleanings x-rays are usually done yearly, unless there is a problem.