Is my dentist trying to con my mate?

my mate went to the dentist in december with what she thought was toothache. the dentist told her that her teeth was fine and it turned out to be earache. she's recently changed dentists, and has been told that she needs all her teeth out and will be left with 8 teeth of which all of those need filling. this is in the space of three months. i dont believe for one minute that she needs all this work done, and if she did wouldnt the other dentist of picked it up? is she being conned and what should she do about it? its a NHS dentist if that makes any difference. her teeth dont have holes in! her gums dont bleed when she brushes em and they're a healthy pink colour yet she's also been told she has gum disease. can anyone shed any light on this?

Is my dentist trying to con my mate?
I would urge her to see another dentist.
Reply:She should go and see her GP or practise nurse.
Reply:yeah i think she is being conned why did she change dentists in the first place if she can i would try to see another dentist where she is now or go back to the other one
Reply:See another dentist, even at your own expense before having all that work done. Check it out.


If the toothache/earache went away, that would really make me suspicious.


If she has gum disease, regular flossing and brushing can stop or even reverse it. Those little plastic flossers work very well. Daily flossing for 6 months can make a huge improvement!
Reply:she should definitely go to another dentist and get another opinion! What that dentist is saying sounds extremely drastic. That sounds like something an 80 yr old would need who is looking for dentures! But you can't think that just because her other dentist didn't comment on the problem that there isn't one. Some dentists just get lazy and like to assume their patients are fine when they may not be. She should go to another dentist, and this time find one that is good and is recommended from people you know, and find out what is really going on!
Reply:yeah theres something dodgy going on.. that dog in your pic is gorgeous.
Reply:See your doctor and ask him/her to make you an appointment at the dental hospital.. Tell him/her why you need this appointment...
Reply:A few questions...did the first dentist take x-rays and do a COMPLETE exam? Did the second dentist do it instead?


A simple oral look around can miss lots of things a good set of x=rays will reveal. Some dentists are lazy and miss lots of things others are over zealous and want to do lots of things that are not necessary. It is very important that you get another opinion based upon a good x-ray exam and general oral exam. The x-rays from the other dentist should be forwarded to the new dentist so new ones do not have to be taken.


Do it and find out.
Reply:I would suggest she see another dentist for another opinion but wouldn't automatically assume the first dentist was correct. With a 'ceiling' on charges it is not that the second dentist will make any more money out of your friend than if he was only doing a fraction of that work.


Did either of them do a full set of x-rays? Often decay can be missed if it is in a difficult spot or in the early stages but it will show on x-ray. Has your friend had regular check ups or has she gone years with no dental care? No one here can answer your question...only a professional who can check her teeth can do that. I would say though, as I have already, get a second opinion before having any of the work done...just in case.


Good Luck

art