I have never had a cavity. Almost every dentist I have ever seen has told me that I will NEVER get a cavity.
But that doesn't mean that I haven't had a tooth drilled. Now I know why.
Apparently I have an unusual enamel formation that is impervious to cavities. Usually upon the first trip to a new dentist they "oh" and "ah" for a while and then gather the entire staff around to gawk at my teeth. Then the will say something like, "don't get dental insurance, for you it's a waste of money". Except 7 years ago when I first moved to SF. Went to a dentist deep in the Avenues. They convinced me that I had two cavities. 'Impossible', I said. They started waiving around X-rays and told me to look for myself -- yeah, like I know what to look for, but of course they were counting on me not to be able to read the X-rays. I figured, 'Oh well, maybe things are changing now that I am older'. Then when I chose dentists that were closer to home (new to SF and living downtown, I had no idea of the trek awaiting me when I chose someplace in the aves), my teeth once again elicited the usual gushing responses. So I had always wondered why that dentist in the Avenues drilled my teeth. The answer, which I discovered after my latest visit to my current dentist, was so simple I feel like a fool for not seeing it. Greed.
Dr. Watson and I were discussing our various businesses and he explained to me some of the in's and out's of dental offices. He explained that most dental offices have a commission structure, and patient coordinators and/or medical staff get commission on how much the practice brings in. Sounds like a good idea, I said. Dr. Watson then ticked off the reasons why when the staff gets dollar signs in their eyes, patient care suffers. After hearing his points, I can totally see why this is a bad idea. At best it's a bad idea.
So I asked him, "What about unnecessary procedures?" and told him the story of my 'cavities'. He said, yes, sadly, and that this practice was not as uncommon as one might think. His opinion was that there was no way I could have had cavities. In hindsight, the televisions (yes televisions as in plural) showing infomercials for cosmetic dentistry procedures in the waiting room of the Avenues dentist should have been a red flag.
I mention all this to make an important point. Some of us (yours truly) think of doctors offices as sacred bastions of healing. They are not. They are businesses. Which is fine, as long as they are not using their trust-me-I-am-a-doctor-mystique to obfuscate the fact that they sell a service and answer to their P&L's. As with other service businesses, customer service and patient care are weighed against profits. Sometimes, the quest for profits, or even to stay alive in these perilous financial times, tips the scales way too far away from care and service.
If you don't want to have to worry about being able to read X-rays or if you were scheduled enough time for a properly thorough cleaning, go to South Beach Dental. They don't have commissions.
In the interest of full disclosure, over the years of seeing Dr. Watson he has also become my friend. The conversation we had about his business was not typical tableside conversation, it was outside of work after my appointment. Dr. Watson has far too much class and grace to try to sell himself to anyone in this manner. I share the information because I think it is an important fact for people to know when choosing a dentist.
The rest of the experience? As good as a trip to the dentist can be. Parking is usually available right in front. Everyone is super friendly and helpful. I am always taken right on time. SB Dental invests in the latest dental technology, much of which makes the experience easier on the patient. They even put sunglasses on you so the light doesn't get in your eyes and give you a loaded ipod and comfortable headphones so you can drift away in the music. Before you know it, the cleaning is over and you barely noticed that it was going on. Even the goody bag of toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss are high end items as opposed to bushel-bought samples.
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