So I went for my dental cleaning this morning and they tried to push me to buy their special dental plan (I have no dental insurance). I told them that's Ok, I am self pay and didnt want it. Then they informed me I needed x-rays (which would cost just a bit less than their plan, making it a BiG BaRgAiN). I told them they took my x-rays last year and I didnt need them again, I was just there for a cleaning.
Then the receptionist said, "Oh we cant see you if you don't get x-rays, It the LAW. Everyone has to get them once a year."
I said, "Really? That's interesting, may I please have a copy of that law for my own reference?"
She got flustered and went and got the office manager. The office manager cooly asked, "May I please ask what your concern is?"
I said, "My concern is that I do not like unnecessary procedures (I'm a RN).
She stated in an authoritative tone, "Everyone need annual x-rays and we would be negligent if we did not take x-rays of our clients."
I asked in an authoritative tone, "Where is this LAW that determines that all dental patients need annual x-rays?"
She said, "I'll go and get the dentist for you."
The dentist arrived, all friendly and charming, "What's the problem?"
I said all friendly, charming, and chatty back, 'There isn't a problem. I'm being told I must comply to a LAW and I want to see the copy of the law. Easy Peazy,"
He hemmed and hawed, "Well, I dont know that its a law--"
"It isn't," I interrupted, "I checked."
He went on, "But as a dentist I personally feel that I cant treat you properly without annual x-rays and it is our policy."
"THERE it is", I pointed out, "It's a policy, not a law. That's what I thought."
He was red. "But its a policy that is strictly adhered to and we will not treat you without x-rays."
"Oh NO PROBLEM, I've quite lost interest in being treated here anyway. I don't like being manipulated and I was being manipulated so that you could have guaranteed annual revenue. Annual x-rays on every patient is a lot of money, I get it. SO you all have a nice day and I will find another dentist office."
I walked out but noted with some dismay at all of the jaws dropped in the waiting room.
I should have said to them before I left...."I'm waking up. Please, YOU wake up too."
Dentists are the absolute worst! I was trying to avoid driving far to see an old dentist, so I went to a new local one. They used x-rays sent to them from a previous year and this doctor super magnified it ( literal csi "enhance, enhance" bs) then tried to do some high contrast stuff to show me all the work that needs to be done, found 5000$ worth of work. I told her I thought it was funny how the dentist that took them didn't find anything. I ended up making the drive back to the old dentist and he laughed and said there's absolutely nothing noteworthy with the teeth, adjusted the bite for free and sent me home saying he doesn't have medical school loans to pay back like the new dentists do. Also, consider all the unnecessary radiation we're getting with those x-rays every year. Same thing with mammograms.
It's the same thing with eye doctors too. If your eyes are fine, there's no reason to go. People getting new glasses every year is causing a vicious cycle of people needing stronger glasses.