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Jerry Miller's avatar

I questioned my dentist if we could postpone an annual xray as I had just gotten out of the hospital were I had an xray almost everyday for shattered ribs. They were like that had no bearing on getting one done today. I did have many dental problems over the years but waiting another 6 months seemed the better idea as I was having no problems then.

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Dr. X's avatar

At least young people who are learning to be dentists are taught, from day One in dental school, the importance of getting paid. Dental practices get paid to do xrays.

Medical schools radical antipathy to teaching about getting paid is finally showing its intended destructive effect.

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Tina C's avatar

This was a great post, thank you! I always say "no" to fluoride now I can add another no thank you.

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George's avatar

Just went down the OE rabbit hole: above confirmed

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Carrie C's avatar

I got tired of the argument at every dental screening. I now use a hydroxyapatite toothpaste/tab to brush my teeth, floss and brush twice daily and now go to the dentist if I have an issue (last time was a year ago when a 20 year old crown popped off. They didn’t do an xray then and said my 65 year old teeth and mouth looked great.

“We’ve always done it that way” is the worse reason for everything.

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Anthony Buscaglia's avatar

Great post. Funny, I had my semi-annual cleaning yesterday and I was waiting for the hygienist to ask if they could do ask rays. Remembering I refused on the past 2 visits, I expected I would be pressed to get it done and pay the additional $100. I pondered if there was any utility in screening X-rays in asymptomatic adults. I even considered telling her to go ahead an charge me for the imaging but I would pass on the x-ray. Fortunately, she knows I would refuse and did not ask. I also get the feeling it is a money grab. Thanks for posting!

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Bobby Scott, MD's avatar

Thank you for this post. I’ve long wondered the evidence behind routine x-rays, but hadn’t yet bothered to do the literature search myself.

Maybe next time I will ask them to wait until after my exam. Then, if they can provide a clinical finding as a rationale to get them, I will consent.

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