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Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Docs, Dentists Push Cosmetic Care

Patients say they resent pressure for elective treatments

When Carla Morelli made an appointment for a routine checkup at the Kentlands Dental Care in Gaithersburg, she didn't request a cosmetic consultation. But that didn't stop clinic staffers from offering up beauty advice.

First to weigh in was the hygienist who cleaned her teeth. After telling Morelli how much prettier she would look if she got her teeth straightened, she urged her to consider being fitted for Invisalign, clear plastic braces that would slowly move her teeth into place.

"Until she told me, I never knew there was a problem with my smile," recalled Morelli, 39, owner of a Gaithersburg financial services consultancy. She pulled down her lower lip to expose a slight buckling of her front bottom teeth.

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, this happens all the time!
I had a dentist try to sell me a $2,000 "deep cleaning" about 20 years ago. He told me that if I didn't have it done, I'd probably lose most of my teeth within 5 years.
Well, I have ALL my teeth and have never had it done.
Last year, another Salisbury dentist tried to sell me the same bill of goods. He refused to do a filling on one of my teeth citing the same thing and he would have to refer me to a specialist to have this procedure done first.

Anonymous said...

I went to a local, longtime Salisbury dentist for a regular check up. After a very brief check, he began selling me cosmetic dentistry. While my teeth are not perfect, they certainly are not bad. When I declined cosmetic services I got a lecture. He was ranting about people taking expenses every year, yet they won't spend the money for a perfect smile. Forget the fact that I haven't vacationed due to lack of funds for quite some time - he was really ranting. Irritating man.