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.