When I first went to Ithaca I went to a quack dentist who charged me a lot for unnecessary diagnostics. I did not see a dentist for two years, then I got a referral to my current dentist where the whole family gets a cleaning twice a year. My wife thinks the exam with the dentist after seeing the hygienist is a scam, I see the dentist only if there is evidence of a problem. In that time I got a referral to extract one of my rear teeth (could have gotten an implant but decided against it.). My dentist gave me recommendations for sensitive teeth (saltpeter toothpaste and an electric toothbrush which was cheap when I got one that uses rechargeable AA’s) and a brace for tooth grinding which focalized my TMJ symptoms (shoulder, back, neck pain and headaches) to something which is somewhat annoying occasionally. I am satisfied.

I hear though that a lot of dentists get into scams like Amway and Scientology.