Can you trust your dentist?

Never have been excited about visiting a dentist but since we have a decent dental plan through work I go about twice a year for routine visits.

Recently my dentist recommended I have a Full Mouth Debridement or FMD for short. I was told it would cost me $85 for the FMD. I am leery of dentists who always seem to find something to do inside your mouth as a way to get inside your wallet.

When I go to my dentist I just can’t seem to get out of there without being told I need this or that and it will cost this amount. It feels like I am being hustled at a traveling carnival.

My standard reply is let’s keep an eye on it and see what it looks like in 6 months.

For the FMD I called my dental plan to learn why it was costing me $85 when my plan states they pay the full amount. The customer support representative gave me an excellent tip. Ask the dentist what value am I receiving for $85?

Upon asking the dentist staff this question they stated the FMD is covered under my plan but the antimicrobial rinse is $85. At this point I am thinking to myself, $85 for “Listerine” mouth wash. I smell a fish.

I ask them what are the ingredients of this antimicrobial rinse? They respond by stating I do not have to purchase the rinse if I do not want it. Now I’m thinking is this a scam or what? All along I was lead to believe the $85 was for the FMD. Upon closer questioning, the truth comes out. It’s only for the rinse since my dental plan pays for the FMD. This rinse is not something I take home afterwards. It is only used to rinse my mouth during the FMD.

Today I had my FMD minus the $85 antimicrobial rinse. Took along my own $2 travel bottle of Listerine which “Kills Germs by Millions on Contact”. Afterwards, I proceeded to rinse in the parking lot. Does anyone know if Listerine will harm trees?

Is this a scam? You decide.

Why Google Chrome is NOW Green!

If you followed my last blog on this subject (http://justforducks.blogspot.com/2009/06/why-google-chrome-is-not-green.html)

I was not going to use Google Chrome until a special feature was activated. I liked everything about Chrome except it was lacking in this one feature.

I rely on being able to visit a website and print only the selection of the information I am seeking. Printing the whole webpage when I only need some of the information is a complete waste of paper.

Today I checked in with Google Chrome to see if any changes had been made and sure enough the feature I had been waiting for is now available. I can now highlight the information I need from a website, hit print selection and I get what I need without wasting paper.

I have imported my bookmarks from IE 8 and set Chrome as my default browser.

Adios Microsoft, Hola Chrome!

The taste was terrible

Just want to report on the taste of the giant watermelons. As you can see, they were anemic looking and tasted as bad as they looked.

We are now looking forward to next Spring when we shall try again.

Santa Barbara hole in the wall has great food

Recently spent a weekend in Santa Barbara, Calif. Ate at a hole in the wall Mexican bakery which also serves real homemade Mexican foods. Enjoyed the large taco plate. Delicious.

If you ever happen to be in Santa Barbara go to 832 N. Milpas St. Drive to the back of the parking lot. Look for a small shop named La Tapatia Bakery. Enjoy the hospitality and food served by the Vela Family.