Did dentists in the past butcher teeth for financial reward?
Discussion
I have a few fillings from the 1970s. The only problems I have had since then have been those fillings.
I am given to understand that NHS dentists in the past were paid per procedure and were "enthusiastic" to perform procedures for that reason,
My current dentist: "Nah, it's because you ate sugar as a child"
What is the truth?
CoolHands said:
Disgraceful isn’t it. We need it to turn into a PPI type media outcry. Imagine ruining teenagers teeth ffs, unbelievable.
I had the conversation with my current dentist who, as I mentioned in my OP, said "it's because you ate sugar as a child". I told him that I still eat sugar. ".....You'd never be able prove anything" came his reply.
Added to which my dentists from childhood are dead and I'd probably be suing the government.
PurplePangolin said:
Louis Balfour said:
CoolHands said:
Disgraceful isn’t it. We need it to turn into a PPI type media outcry. Imagine ruining teenagers teeth ffs, unbelievable.
I had the conversation with my current dentist who, as I mentioned in my OP, said "it's because you ate sugar as a child". I told him that I still eat sugar. ".....You'd never be able prove anything" came his reply.
Added to which my dentists from childhood are dead and I'd probably be suing the government.
Additionally, I cannot prove it.
I am at the dentist tomorrow, to fix another filling from the 70s.
CrgT16 said:
Reading this thread I feel sorry for some of you. You really drew the short straw with your dentists.
On the other hand I also see that your knowledge of dentistry is quite poor and you are assuming much and think the job is straightforward. Sometimes it isn’t and risks need to be explained to you but even when they are and patients accept it, if things go wrong that conversation is forgotten.
Anyways, I work mostly to explain my patients what problems they have, if any, and what they can do about them, including doing nothing. Pros and cons, etc. think of it as a surveyor and report.
I don’t decide for my patients what they should do, I may recommend an option or two but always giving them the full picture. There’s no need in chasing the pound sign. Treat them properly and the income is there.
I am not ashamed or have a problem charging properly for my knowledge and skill, why should I? No different to any other job. My house, holidays, etc do not come into the equation.
Ask your dentist to explain all options clearly, ask questions. Most are very happy to explain it. Educate yourself but don’t expect to be a dentist with a few google searches. I always welcome informed questions and really want you to make an informed decision on treatments.
The sad part is that a small part of dentists are only interested in “selling” and they do it badly. Absolutely no selling required, plenty of solid basic work around but it’s not “cool”.
Being in the field it’s bad… but lists of good professional too so don’t put us all in the same bag.
I love my job, pride myself for my professionalism and I can sleep at night. Not everyone is a leech, butcher or a con.
I get the impression that the business has changed. I can remember the point at which I stopped being given fillings. It coincided with me changing dentists!On the other hand I also see that your knowledge of dentistry is quite poor and you are assuming much and think the job is straightforward. Sometimes it isn’t and risks need to be explained to you but even when they are and patients accept it, if things go wrong that conversation is forgotten.
Anyways, I work mostly to explain my patients what problems they have, if any, and what they can do about them, including doing nothing. Pros and cons, etc. think of it as a surveyor and report.
I don’t decide for my patients what they should do, I may recommend an option or two but always giving them the full picture. There’s no need in chasing the pound sign. Treat them properly and the income is there.
I am not ashamed or have a problem charging properly for my knowledge and skill, why should I? No different to any other job. My house, holidays, etc do not come into the equation.
Ask your dentist to explain all options clearly, ask questions. Most are very happy to explain it. Educate yourself but don’t expect to be a dentist with a few google searches. I always welcome informed questions and really want you to make an informed decision on treatments.
The sad part is that a small part of dentists are only interested in “selling” and they do it badly. Absolutely no selling required, plenty of solid basic work around but it’s not “cool”.
Being in the field it’s bad… but lists of good professional too so don’t put us all in the same bag.
I love my job, pride myself for my professionalism and I can sleep at night. Not everyone is a leech, butcher or a con.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that dentists in the 70s and 80s performed unnecessary work to enrich themselves. Speaking as a professional, does this tally with your opinion?
Jaaws said:
Louis Balfour said:
and it took about 20 injections
Really? I'm surprised at that.The most number of injections I remember giving to a patient for a single tooth treatment in my 42 year career was about half-a-dozen, for a difficult lower wisdom tooth extraction.
If you haven't exaggerated, I suggest you find a different dentist with a better LA (local anaesthetic) administration technique!
It was a lower molar on the left.
Even after I had no sensation in the left side of my whole head, I got a dull stabbing pain in my neck as he went in with the drill. Not horrific, but like someone jabbing a finger in my neck.
I'd say is a pretty good dentist and is well-regarded locally.
It was probably the most unpleasant dentistry I can remember.
StevieBee said:
Reading through this thread suggests that all dentists of the past were on the NHS 'take' or all of them s
t at what they did.
Is it not the case that Dentistry has acquired better insight and procedures rather than it being a case of bad-practice in the past? Has diet changed that lessens decay? Has toothpaste and toothbrushes got better?
There was a time quite a way back when if someone had particularly bad teeth, they'd get them all taken out - including the good ones - and dentures provided as this was seen to save the NHS money over the course of the person's life. That may well have been appropriate at the time but probably only because there wasn't the knowledge to fix them.
Your last paragraph seems somewhat contradictory.t at what they did.Is it not the case that Dentistry has acquired better insight and procedures rather than it being a case of bad-practice in the past? Has diet changed that lessens decay? Has toothpaste and toothbrushes got better?
There was a time quite a way back when if someone had particularly bad teeth, they'd get them all taken out - including the good ones - and dentures provided as this was seen to save the NHS money over the course of the person's life. That may well have been appropriate at the time but probably only because there wasn't the knowledge to fix them.
xx99xx said:
It's still all about the money, or rather what's affordable. I understand this as the NHS has to prioritise with its limited resources.
My old dentist told me the NHS didn't do preventative work under sedation (i.e. fillings) only extractions. Not sure if that's a local policy or national (or a lie). I thought prevention was better than cure though?
I seem like to recall my dentist when I was very young used to do fillings without anaesthesia. I remember it really hurting and him having to stop until I calmed down.My old dentist told me the NHS didn't do preventative work under sedation (i.e. fillings) only extractions. Not sure if that's a local policy or national (or a lie). I thought prevention was better than cure though?
Would that be correct, or my mind playing tricks? I know that for many years I was terrified at the prospect of going there.
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