[finallyavillager]

I am looking for a dental office where I can get cleaning only. I have a regular dentist up north that takes care of X-rays, etc. went to dentist here this am. He suggests $9000 worth of must dos. Will not just clean!

[rubicon]

I would believe many dentist if not all would agree to the limitation you so seek

[2BNTV]

I would be interested to see if any dentists does a regular cleaning.

Almost all dentists want to start with x-rays, exam and say you need a deep cleaning for more than $6oo. At least that has been my experience so far!

[billethkid]

I tell my technician I am there for a cleaning only.
There is never an issue.
Most of the dentists in the area know they have seasonal customers and will accomodate the services requested.
The other thing I told my dentist here when we first moved in was that I am very old fashioned....I do not need anything done that has nothing to do with function! No vanity improvements needed.

[2BNTV]

I just switched medical plans and would like those who have their dentists that do a regular cleaning, to tell us their names.

[TrudyM]

I also need a cleaner only who takes aarp dental. It is connected to delta dental. Please help with recommendations. Also need someone who uses nitous.

thanks

[CurlyGirly]

I went to Dr Forest Jerkins on 441 in Fruitland Park. The dental hygienist did a great cleaning and Dr Jerkins did not try to 'upsell' any services. After the cleaning, he came in for an exam (which I think all dentists will do), told me everything looked great, and said he would see me in six months. I would recommend him.
352-728-8881 3360 Hwy 441/27 Fruitland Park

[goodtimesintv]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

I would be interested to see if any dentists does a regular cleaning.

Almost all dentists want to start with x-rays, exam and say you need a deep cleaning for more than $6oo. At least that has been my experience so far!

That is not my experience here at all (that they say deep root cleaning for $600 is needed).

It seems to me that if a dentist were to do a cleaning only, knowing that they see chips, cracks and old fillings/crowns worn away at the margins where bacteria will enter and form an abscess inside the tooth that then requires root canal or extraction, it would be malpractice to not advise the patient to get the tooth/teeth fixed before abscess forms.

Here's what Mayo Clinic says about that:

"A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that's caused by a bacterial infection. The abscess can occur at different regions of the tooth for different reasons. A periapical (per-e-AP-ih-kul) abscess occurs at the tip of the root, whereas a periodontal (per-e-o-DON-tul) abscess occurs in the gums next to a tooth root. The information here refers specifically to periapical abscesses.

A periapical tooth abscess usually occurs as a result of an untreated dental cavity, injury or prior dental work.

Dentists will treat a tooth abscess by draining it and getting rid of the infection. They may be able to save your tooth with a root canal treatment, but in some instances it may need to be pulled. Leaving a tooth abscess untreated can lead to serious, even life-threatening, complications."

Tooth abscess - Mayo Clinic

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by finallyavillager

I am looking for a dental office where I can get cleaning only. I have a regular dentist up north that takes care of X-rays, etc. went to dentist here this am. He suggests $9000 worth of must dos. Will not just clean!

I also have a regular dentist up North.
I was told by several dental offices in The Villages that it is mandatory to have X-rays and an exam by the dentist prior to having my teeth cleaned.

[rubicon]

Basically what I hear is that the threat/fear of being sued creates a demand to do more than a patient desires.

I would venture a guess that a hold harmless agreement might solve the problem.

[rockyisle]

We are very happy with Palm Dental. They are all Pankey Institute trained which is an absolute must for me. Dr. Williams and her staff are fantastic. Very fair pricing too. I'm not sure if they insist on x-rays, etc but you could always call and ask. They are far more reasonable than my northern dentist... about half the price for a great cleaning. So, even though we go north for the summer months, they have become our dental practice of choice.

[Newbeginnings]

I go to Buenta Vista Dental, they will accept x-rays from your other dentist, they can be electronically transferred if they are up to date.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

I wish this site had a way to flag and save posts so that you could pull them up in the future easily.

[biker1]

From my understanding of what my wife (who knows) has told me, the issue is one of documenting problems and making the patient aware of the treatments and the consequences of not having the treatments. I suspect many offices will not deviate from their new patient protocol of doing a complete examination (including x-rays if you don't have a recent set) and documentation before any services, including cleanings, are performed. I believe the issue that can come back to bite them is from problems that they failed to diagnose. That is why dental offices keep meticulous records. An ethical office will present the options and let the patient decide. If you can find an office that is willing to do a cleaning only then that is great but I suspect that is not the norm.

Originally Posted by rubicon

Basically what I hear is that the threat/fear of being sued creates a demand to do more than a patient desires.

I would venture a guess that a hold harmless agreement might solve the problem.

[biker1]

You may actually need a deep cleaning! Regardless, I use a dental office outside the bubble and my wife practiced for 35 years.

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

I would be interested to see if any dentists does a regular cleaning.

Almost all dentists want to start with x-rays, exam and say you need a deep cleaning for more than $6oo. At least that has been my experience so far!