[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

If you've ever had periodontal issues, the deep cleaning may be needed.

I agree. Our Dental Hygienist has taught me a lot about what happens with our gums. At first I thought her cleaning method was uncomfortable but she has really taken the time to guide me toward more careful care of my mouth.

We go to Palm Ridge Dental and our hygienist is Susan.
She is very skilled and kind. AND very through.

[retiredguy123]

If deep cleaning is not a scam, it is definitely a ripoff. The Village Dental hygienist wanted $1100 for a 90 minute deep cleaning procedure. I went to Dr. Lunsford in Leesburg and he said I did not need any deep cleaning procedures. Dentists in The Villages seem to want to push deep cleaning as a way to increase profits. How can you justify $1100 for a procedure that is not even performed by a dentist?

[Dan9871]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The Village Dental hygienist wanted $1100 for a 90 minute deep cleaning procedure.

I've been going to Village Dental since we got here, about 4 years. They done a ton of work on my teeth... no deep cleaning/scaling though.

But I have to say my teeth are in the best shape they have been in, in 30 years. I haven't had an issue with them that made me have call for an appointment... just regularly scheduled cleaning and checkups.

My dentist from before we came here was very good but he was very low key and would never push anything and I just ignored things, like occasional aches and gum bleeding now and then.

He'd always ask if I had any issues, of course, but I just say something like "No, not really", just to put things off... until a tooth broke or a filling fell out and then I'd end up needing a root canal and a crown. So maybe I was a bit to blame for the teeth issues I had over the years.

I think Village Dental is doing a great job on my teeth and I would not switch to another dentist.

[dnobles]

I went to a new dentist for the $59.00 special all they wanted to do was sell me all sorts of work on my teeth. Going back to my original dentist Dr Forrest Jerkins. I didn’t go to the new dentist for any reason other then the special offer. Cleaning and panoramic X-rays. I learned my lesson.

[Ingenuity]

Wow, 1100.00 for a deep clean?? Definitely a rip off. I paid an extra 250.00. One should only have the cleaning if they find pockets that need attention. In my case, I was a mess, but the results of treatment was great. I will be careful not be "taken."

[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

If deep cleaning is not a scam, it is definitely a ripoff. The Village Dental hygienist wanted $1100 for a 90 minute deep cleaning procedure. I went to Dr. Lunsford in Leesburg and he said I did not need any deep cleaning procedures. Dentists in The Villages seem to want to push deep cleaning as a way to increase profits. How can you justify $1100 for a procedure that is not even performed by a dentist?

This is exactly what a friend back home who is a dental technician told me. Her dentist rarely sees a need, and if he does it's real. But prior places she worked at sold deep cleanings and root scaling like a drive-thru attendant selling fries with that burger.

[tagjr1]

The dentist that I chose had a staff that seemed to always "up sell'. One staff member told me I needed to have X-rays, and when I refused she said" it's required by state law"! I knew this to be false and continued to refuse this service. When I protested to the Hygenist she said that the dentist "had incurred a huge expense to be able to provide His services." I found a new dentist real quick.

[sallybowron]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

I went to Lake Sumter Dentistry yesterday for my free exam and x-rays.

I was told that I needed a deep cleaning and root scaling.

I was having work done at another dentist but got tired of driving an hour to Ocala so I thought I'd try someone new. My wife began going there and she likes them.

My dentist in Ocala never mentioned anything about deep cleaning. The dentist at LSD says that he can't tell if I have any cavities until the heavy stains are removed. That sounds absurd to me. My Ocala dentist was able to see minor decay from the x-rays.

I now that some people on here have recommended Lake Sumter, but I got really concerned when they mentioned "deep cleaning" which I've often heard is a scam.

I made an appointment for this deep cleaning, but I intend to cancel it.

Any opinions or suggestion would be appreciated.

I feel your pain, when a dentist here in the Villages sees my mouth the $$$$ start to flash in their eyes. I was given an estimate of $19,000 dollars and a lady with book in hand, came into me in the chair to start making appointments. When I said I couldn't spend $19,000 she said well we could break that into two parts and start with the $12,000 part. wondering which of us was loosing it first, I fled the scene.
The dentist I felt most comfortable with Dr. Maria Luong at Serenity Dentist and Spa in Spanish Springs. 350 1933

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I was told that I need deep cleaning and root scaling because of staining. I drink a lot of tea and the dentist claimed that he couldn't see if I had any cavities because of the staining. I saw my previous dentist about two months ago and he was able to see every bit of decay.

It seems that there might be a reason for deep cleaning and root scaling, but to remove stains in order to see cavities doesn't seem like a reasonable reason.

I'm going to try another dentist.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

It seems that there might be a reason for deep cleaning and root scaling, but to remove stains in order to see cavities doesn't seem like a reasonable reason.

"Are you a dentist? If all this is true, why did "...........?

Oh, never mind............that would be rude to say that.

[perrjojo]

Trust me as a dental professional..just like anything...deep cleaning is NOT a scam and is often very important to your dental health. I can also tell you that unfortunately it is often recommended but not always needed. Get a second opinion.

[Spikearoni]

Originally Posted by birdiebill

All deep cleanings are not a scam. Periodontal disease starts around the necks of teeth as gingivitis or an inflammation of the gingival tissues (gums). Gingivitis usually causes slightly enlarged gums, often reddened in color and often bleeding especially when brushing or flossing. Gingivitis can usually be treated by a routine dental cleaning, improved efficiency of tooth brushing, and effective flossing of the teeth. Sometimes oral rinses are indicated. Gingivitis is caused by bacteria that reside in the dental plaque that accumulates on our teeth. Gingivitis is diagnosed by a clinical exam that includes periodontal probing around the teeth.

Deep cleaning, which includes root planing (root scaling) is indicated if periodontal probing around the necks of the teeth discovers "pockets" between the gingival (gum) tissue and the root surface of the teeth and/or if the probing elicits bleeding or discovers calculus (tartar) on the surface of the root in the pocket. A pocket is a deepened space between the gum tissue and the root surface. Deepened space means more than three or four millimeters in depth. "Pockets" are caused by inflammation due to bacterial plaque accumulation on the root surface and on the calculus A pocket is discovered by periodontal probing. As "pockets" grow deeper from periodontal disease, bone loss occurs around the roots of the teeth. A Periodontist is a dental specialist that treats periodontal disease and other periodontal conditions.

I would ask why the deep cleaning/root scaling is necessary. The indications are the presence of one or more of the following: pockets with or without bone loss, bleeding on probing, and/or detectable plaque or calculus on the root surface in the pocket.

Very informative post. Thank you!

[biker1]

When it comes to deep scaling, a hygienist may very well be more skilled than a dentist. They may very well be better trained to do that procedure than a dentist and may very well have more experience doing the procedure. A dentist's time is better spent doing restorative work. Whether the cost is reasonable and whether the procedure was called for is another issue. I don't have a problem with the most qualified, and cost effective, people doing medical and dental procedures.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

If deep cleaning is not a scam, it is definitely a ripoff. The Village Dental hygienist wanted $1100 for a 90 minute deep cleaning procedure. I went to Dr. Lunsford in Leesburg and he said I did not need any deep cleaning procedures. Dentists in The Villages seem to want to push deep cleaning as a way to increase profits. How can you justify $1100 for a procedure that is not even performed by a dentist?

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by biker1

When it comes to deep scaling, a hygienist may very well be more skilled than a dentist. They may very well be better trained to do that procedure than a dentist and may very well have more experience doing the procedure. A dentist's time is better spent doing restorative work. Whether the cost is reasonable and whether the procedure was called for is another issue. I don't have a problem with the most qualified, and cost effective, people doing medical and dental procedures.

I don't mind paying a fair profit for a necessary procedure. But, I was quoted $1100 to deep clean only 3 quarters of my mouth with a procedure that was to take less than 2 hours by a dental hygienist. With the average pay for dental hygienists about 35 dollars per hour, the price seemed very excessive. So, I went to another dentist who told me that I didn't need any special deep cleaning, and that they could take care of any cleaning issue during a regular cleaning for which they charge $85.

[biker1]

We go to a trustworthy practice outside of The Villages - my wife doesn't practice anymore and is very particular where we go. PM me if you need a name.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I don't mind paying a fair profit for a necessary procedure. But, I was quoted $1100 to deep clean only 3 quarters of my mouth with a procedure that was to take less than 2 hours by a dental hygienist. With the average pay for dental hygienists about 35 dollars per hour, the price seemed very excessive. So, I went to another dentist who told me that I didn't need any special deep cleaning, and that they could take care of any cleaning issue during a regular cleaning for which they charge $85.