8/23    I've had 4 dentists in 2 years because of having to move and
        not liking 2 of the dentists I had. The first dentist (Chinese)
        was great because I had him since I was a kid. He did all of my
        cavity fillings and cleanings and said I had pretty good teeth.
        Then when I moved to the South Bay I switched to another
        dentist (Iranian) who said I had HORRIBLE gums and teeth and
        needed to do deep cleaning, add Arestin (antibiotic) to prevent
        bone loss and to slow down my periodontal disease. He also
        highly recommended that I redo my fillings because it is
        getting old and he thinks it is dangerous if it falls out.
        I decided to switch to another doctor (Iranian) and she said
        that my teeth was not so good and highly recommended deep cleaning.
        She also pushed hard for "good deals" on electric tooth brush
        and teeth whitening guards/sol'ns. That ticked me off so I
        switched to another doctor (American born Iranian) and he said
        that my teeth was very healthy (gums didn't bleed when he did
        cleaning, etc). He didn't even push for services like deep
        cleaning and overpriced teeth whiteners. So actually, I'm
        confused. Do I have really have good/bad teeth? Or is the
        dental industry so fucked up that they  have to push for
        services you don't really need? What is your experience like?
        \_ I get the feeling that dental insurance fraud is getting to
           be more and more common.  If your teeth were really as bad
           as the two said, you would at least have an inkling about it.
           You'd be in horrendous pain if you had bone loss.  If it feels
           like they're selling you a bill of goods, run.  There are plenty
           of dentists out there who are caring doctors who respect their
           industry.  Also, keep an eye out for odd procedures on invoices
           and claims (I've seen root canals which I thankfully didn't go
           through charged to my insurance). [zyin, you overwrote this.]
        \_ you only need a root planing after a couple years of
           neglect.  i would be very suspicious of a dentist
            who pushes teeth whiteners
        \_ Good dentists have more patients and tend to have their appointments
           booked for at least 2 weeks.  My dentist have his booked for a
           month.  So fare he's very good.  Unfortunately he's in SF.
           \_ Where in SF?  I am looking for an SF dentist.  What makes
              you say he is good?
              \_ Me too. Tell us his name please.
                        \_ search for Michael Hing DDS in Yahoo!Yellow Pages.
                           Unlike other dentists I had before, he's very
                           thorough and takes his time get the job done.
              \_ Awesome SF dentist: Cynthia Brattesani.
                 http://www.drcynthiab.com
                 \_ Is she your dentist?
                    \_ Yes. She's the best.
           \- um, ok. And good dentists like to play golf when the weather
              is good.
           \_ Mine is usually booked for six months if I want a weekend appt.
              Otherwise it's 2-3 months for weekdays.  He's in Oakland
              Chinatown.  But I wonder if there are dentists who just pretent
              that they are fully booked so as to make themselves look good.
              -- yuen
        \_ FWIW, I went to a dentist who said that I had a cavity. My
           hygienist said the same thing. I went to another dentist and
           she said I do not have a cavity on that tooth. WTF?! I don't
           trust any dentist. One of the dentists is obviously lying, but
           is it the latter (hoping the problem will get worse and require
           more expensive work later) or the former (trying to fill a
           tooth that is fine)? Bastards.
           \_ Why do you hate unrestrained capitalism??
           \_ My dentist shows me the xrays before such a thing. Only had
              that once though. Is teeth whitening that bad? I was thinking
              of asking about it. My teeth are probably normal colored. But
              I wonder about those bright white teeth of people on TV.
              \_ The x-rays don't show much. One dentist said it is just
                 natural pitting. The other said it is a cavity.
              \_ My dentist rocks.  No, you can't have his name.  When I
                 asked about whitening he said he'd do it if I insisted but
                 the stuff from the store that takes a few days will do a
                 better job than he can do in an hour in the office and
                 there's nothing wrong with the store stuff.  He's booked
                 solid forever.  I don't know what I'll do when he retires.
                 Maybe his kids will take over as he took over from his dad.
                 If I leave the Bay Area, I'm dentally doomed!