Need an honest dentist.
 

We've gone to some who refused to do our free cleaning and insist that we pay out of our pockets for a "deep cleaning". As far as I'm concerned, this is a scam. When I dentist tells me that he can't tell from x-rays whether or not I have a cavity because I have stains on my teeth, I know he is lying.

I've had dentist do a normal cleaning and my teeth looked fine.

I have Humana dental coverage so I need someone that takes that

Periodontal changes that come with age sometimes dictate a need for deep cleaning.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/...111/jcpe.12683

As always, it's not wise to diagnose thyself. If you've gone to more than one dentist who thinks you need a deep cleaning, perhaps there is some validity to it.

Do a search on here. Many many people have recommended their dentists on this forum as being honest and not upselling. Mine is one--Dr. Novak of Bushnell Family Dentistry. He's not in TV. He's a half hour down 301.

Maybe one of the dentists that people have recommended will accept your dental insurance.

I never heard of deep cleaning until I moved to The Villages. I agree that it is probably a scam. I go to Dr. Lunsford in Leesburg, who is a very good dentist.

Anybody know a dentist who will just clean your teeth without all the exras?

My husband needed deep cleaning twenty-five years ago. He never ever went to a dentist after college. It's a real thing.

With all due respect, I totally disagree. A "deep cleaning" is a procedure that involves root scaling and planing. Scaling involves removing plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth and from the pocket area between the teeth and gums, and with planing the dental hygienist will use a scaling instrument to remove plaque and tartar from the surface of the roots of your teeth. This procedure helps to reverse periodontal disease. It is not a scam.

I know because before I came to The Villages I've had many regular cleaning and polishings (which is just surface) and I have had several deep cleanings. There is a big difference between the two.

Ask your dentist, I'm sure he/she will agree.

Thank you for a knowledgeable response. I have come close to needing a deep cleaning a couple of times, but my dentist taught me some procedures by which I've managed to keep that need at bay.


It's not a scam.

My dentist in Virginia and the one I go to here both told me that they can clean deep pockets as part of a regular cleaning. However, there are dentists in The Villages who want to charge more than $1,200 for a special hygienist appointment to do a deep cleaning. I would recommend getting a second opinion before agreeing to pay a hygienist that much money for less than 2 hours of work.

It is most definitely not a scam. How do I know this? My wife practiced for 35 years and my Dad developed dental materials. Whether you need it or not is a different topic. If you need root planing and you decide against it then this will be marked down in your records so you can't come back at a later date and try to sue the dentist after you need multiple tooth extractions and then dentures or implants.

The $1200 will look like a bargain after you start paying that much for each dental implant. You are paying for training, expertise, and experience.

The next step after deep cleaning is a full periodontal treatment where the gums are cut, roots are scaled and planed, and then the gums are sewn closed. I've had this experience as well.

I've been told that smokers (I am an ex-smoker) tend to develop a large number of periodontal problems,

You may also hear the term "gingivectomy".

I agree that some people may need extra cleaning procedures, but there is a wide variance in the recommendations and cost for dentists, especially in The Villages. I know several people who have gone to dentists outside of The Villages and received an entirely different diagnosis, treatment plan and proposed cost for the treatment. In my case, the dental office in The Villages wanted to do over $5,000 worth of dental work. But two other dentists told me that most of the work was not needed or recommended. I just recommend getting a second opinion.

I am pretty sure everyone knows that getting a second opinion for anything medical is a good idea. In your post #4, you said root planing (deep cleaning) is "probably a scam". It is not and I fail to see the value in offering opinions on something you clearly don't know anything about.

I was quoted a deep cleaning at $300 last week.

It might be helpful to OP and others if you name your dentist. I remember you've said in the past you really like her (him?).

Dr Forest Jerkins I’ve been going to him for 5 years I fell into that trap of $59.00 cleaning and xrays All they want to do is sell me more services I didn’t need. I ran back to Dr Jerkins.
441 Fruitland Park

The OP said it was a scam and I was just agreeing with him. There have been several other threads about how people were pushed into getting deep cleanings when other dentists said they didn't need it. I think it is important for people to know that there seems to be a pattern in The Villages that dental offices are recommending expensive deep cleanings more frequently than other areas.

Yes and we shouldn't beat you up for your opinion that there are some money-grubbing charlatans out there. You get them in every occupation so the best advice is 2nd or even 3rd opinions, recommendations of other patients, along with common sense and Caveat Emptor!

Time to lighten up:

Q. What do you call an ethical person who was at the top of his or her class in medical/dental school?
A. Doctor

Q. What do you call a scoundrel who cheated on their medical exams and was at the bottom of his or her class in medical/dental school?
A. Doctor

I agree, if dr. Jerkins says you need deep cleaning then you need one. I went two two dentist in villages they wanted to bankrupt me. Dr. Jerkins IMO is trust worthy and don’t run up the bill. His office is packed, boogie try him? Just down 27/441 to Fruitland Park.

I fell into the dishonest dentist trap when I first moved here as well. After getting scammed I came on TOTV and researched and read recommendations and then ended up at Dr. Jerkins in Fruitland Park and have been going to him since as does my husband. He's HONEST and a super nice guy...his office staff are helpful and nice as well. Pretty sure you'd be happy with him and I'm positive he wouldn't lead you to do something you didn't need. I wish I could find a Dr. I liked as much as I like my dentist.

I agree, 100%. I've used him since moving here 4 years ago, and couldn't be happier.

You can wash your driveway with a garden hose
Or you can use a pressure washer...Which would do a better job ?

///

I've had many deep cleanings and scalings in the past. However, I haven't needed any for decades because I store my toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide. Your toothbrush contains a lot of bacteria which can cause gum disease.

The reason I'm up so late is I'm worried about my cleaning appointment tomorrow. I use Pets Smart near Best Buy. They have kept the tartar off my teeth and I get a biscuit if I'm good and they rub my tummy.

Seriously thanks for the advice on Dr. Jerkins I will be calling him tomorrow. Thank You.

We have used Baylee Dental up on 441 for a few years, and they have been reasonable.

I would offer that it is more about whether one or the other is in fact needed.

My dentist and I reached an understanding early on. I am only interested in healthy functionality. Nothing prettier, better or just in case.
The fact that mother nature and our creator have been good to me has been very helpful!!!!!!

Again you have spoken wisely. We see Palm Ridge Dental and we all three love Dr. Kathleen Williams and Dr. Reem Jabar. Both women were educated at University of Florida Gainesville. We loved their dental hygienist Susan but she has recently moved. My first cleaning with a new one there and she too is excellent. Her name is Denise.

I have had trouble all of my life with decay even with religious care of my teeth. I am certainly going to try soaking my toothbrush in peroxide if I can figure out how to do that. I have an electric one and use a water pic as well.

I have always wondered about dental difficulties being tied somehow to genetics. Some people pay very little attention to dental care and have no caries.

Yep, had one charge me 250 bucks for mouth wash, another wanted to replace my caps for 6 grand a piece and they wasn’t even bad. Had one assist ARGUING with the dentist (that I actually liked) on pockets, after assistance poked around for no reason pierced the bone I had sore mouth for month.

I use pressure washer, it’s called waterpik

Serenity Dental in Spanish Springs can take care of all your needs. Go no further.

"Deep Cleaning"
 

I have a background in dentistry, and practiced for many years as a hygienist. Any dental practice that will give a free exam and x rays will require a "deep cleaning". IT IS A SCAM ! There is no free dentistry, or free anything else. I tried one of these establishments out just for curiosity. I had just had my teeth cleaned & checked by my regular dentist. Sure enough, I was told I needed a deep cleaning and a crown.The other comments posted here, like "it comes with age" are uninformed.

Main Street Dentists In Leesburg. Two dentists, a husband and wife. Excellent office staff. No pressure or overselling.

Also looking for a Dentist not always after every other cleaning, ex-raying me to death...T.V. cleaning dentist showed me some other persons SINGLE X-RAYED TOOTH that needed work..I know, because nine months before, all my teeth were x-rayed, deemed perfect after some deep cleaning work, by my Fl. Keys dentist..Usually a dentist shows x-rays, and points out the tooth that needs work...This, from a x-ray that shows three or four recognized teeth in the area...

I've been told that I have little or no plaque or tartar. I use an electric plaque removing toothbrush and floss correctly every day. My only problem is staining caused by the tea that I drink every day. The dentist that I went to told me that he couldn't see if I have any cavities because of the staining.

I'm sure that deep cleaning is necessary in some cases, but many of these dentists refuse to do a regular cleaning that is covered 100% by insurance and insist on doing a deep cleaning on every patient. Most of the time, it's a scam.