Did dentists in the past butcher teeth for financial reward?
Discussion
I have a few fillings from the 1970s. The only problems I have had since then have been those fillings.
I am given to understand that NHS dentists in the past were paid per procedure and were "enthusiastic" to perform procedures for that reason,
My current dentist: "Nah, it's because you ate sugar as a child"
What is the truth?
I am now 75 & have a number of fillings in my back teeth; all done when I was still at secondary school in the late-50s to mid-60s. Since when dental work has been limited to replacing those existing fillings & extracting one wisdom tooth.
So, yes, I delieve many of the fillings were unnecessay. I have never had a 'sweet tooth' & rarely ate/eat sweets.
So, yes, I delieve many of the fillings were unnecessay. I have never had a 'sweet tooth' & rarely ate/eat sweets.
Indeed as a fellow suffer and NHS patient through the late 70s - 90s dentists abusing the payment system was rife. It's a fact and I have posted my experience in another thread.
I have a colleague who was a dentist in the 70s-80s and he confirms it. He knew of one dentist who had 3 chairs on the go at once to maximise his returns.
That said there was a loose regulatory body that would visit Dentists and 'check the books' to see what procedures they were undertaking. My friend's mum was called in by the dentist somewhat unexpectedly and given a filling (that she didn't need) but as the inspector was due to visit the dentist needed to square what was in the records with what the patient had in her mouth!
I suspect that once the NHS dental charging system was overhauled saw the rise in private treatment with many opting out of the NHS.
I have a colleague who was a dentist in the 70s-80s and he confirms it. He knew of one dentist who had 3 chairs on the go at once to maximise his returns.
That said there was a loose regulatory body that would visit Dentists and 'check the books' to see what procedures they were undertaking. My friend's mum was called in by the dentist somewhat unexpectedly and given a filling (that she didn't need) but as the inspector was due to visit the dentist needed to square what was in the records with what the patient had in her mouth!
I suspect that once the NHS dental charging system was overhauled saw the rise in private treatment with many opting out of the NHS.
I grew up in South Africa and also had many fillings in the 80s. I think that since then I've had replacements of old fillings only.
We would have had medical cover in SA, so this would have incurred minimal point of use cost.
Maybe the addition of fluoride to toothpaste made a difference but I'm more inclined to take the cynical view.
We would have had medical cover in SA, so this would have incurred minimal point of use cost.
Maybe the addition of fluoride to toothpaste made a difference but I'm more inclined to take the cynical view.
Chris Type R said:
I grew up in South Africa and also had many fillings in the 80s. I think that since then I've had replacements of old fillings only.
We would have had medical cover in SA, so this would have incurred minimal point of use cost.
Maybe the addition of fluoride to toothpaste made a difference but I'm more inclined to take the cynical view.
I use toothpaste without fluoride, I haven’t had a filling for twenty five years. I do remember just about everyone at school having at least one filling though.We would have had medical cover in SA, so this would have incurred minimal point of use cost.
Maybe the addition of fluoride to toothpaste made a difference but I'm more inclined to take the cynical view.
Definitely had a bunch of really bad fillings from a dentist in the 70s & 80s.
Current dentist explained that they used to drill vast craters (much bigger than necessary) & as a result leave not very much of the original tooth. Net result has been bits chipping off the sides periodically because they are thin & weak.
Cost to fix: not small, numerous repairs & a few crowns so far. I'm expecting to need some implants eventually
Current dentist explained that they used to drill vast craters (much bigger than necessary) & as a result leave not very much of the original tooth. Net result has been bits chipping off the sides periodically because they are thin & weak.
Cost to fix: not small, numerous repairs & a few crowns so far. I'm expecting to need some implants eventually
I am certain the dentist I attended as a child did. I had teeth drilled and filled every time I went to see him.
I damaged a molar in an accident and he convinced my parents to pay a few hundred quid to put a private crown on it, which fell off a few weeks later whilst I was sleeping and I nearly choked on it. His response was "an extraction will be fine, he's young so the gap will close up" which was absolutely correct but a complete change of tune from the doom he was predicting when he was giving it the hard sell on the crown.
My Dad used to get his dental costs reimbursed in full by his employer and the dentist knew this, so he'd do all sorts of expensive private procedures - he ended up with a gob full of gold fillings and all sorts of elaborate bridges and crowns.
There was always at least an hours wait because he overbooked and he rarely had a nurse or receptionist present to save money. He'd always get my parents to sign the blank treatment form and say he'd get his receptionist to fill it in later to save time.
He got struck off in the end for falsely claiming for NHS work and his life went on a rapid downward spiral.
I switched dentists when I in my teens about 25 years ago, and I've probably seen a dozen different dentists since - the only work I've had done in that time is one small filling in the side of a front tooth.
I damaged a molar in an accident and he convinced my parents to pay a few hundred quid to put a private crown on it, which fell off a few weeks later whilst I was sleeping and I nearly choked on it. His response was "an extraction will be fine, he's young so the gap will close up" which was absolutely correct but a complete change of tune from the doom he was predicting when he was giving it the hard sell on the crown.
My Dad used to get his dental costs reimbursed in full by his employer and the dentist knew this, so he'd do all sorts of expensive private procedures - he ended up with a gob full of gold fillings and all sorts of elaborate bridges and crowns.
There was always at least an hours wait because he overbooked and he rarely had a nurse or receptionist present to save money. He'd always get my parents to sign the blank treatment form and say he'd get his receptionist to fill it in later to save time.
He got struck off in the end for falsely claiming for NHS work and his life went on a rapid downward spiral.
I switched dentists when I in my teens about 25 years ago, and I've probably seen a dozen different dentists since - the only work I've had done in that time is one small filling in the side of a front tooth.
I can't remember which dentist will have done it as we moved every three years or so when I was growing up but one gave me eight fillings in the same upper and lower teeth each side. He also removed six of my upper teeth, again the same from each side.
Since then (it must have been in the 1960s) I've only needed filling repairs.
Since then (it must have been in the 1960s) I've only needed filling repairs.
No doubt the system allowed for abuse but let’s not get carried away and say all did. Many were dishonest but it’s no different today. The amount of bad and unnecessary treatment I see is crazy. The badly executed “cosmetic” treatment is also rife.
On the other hand fillings in the 70s were also perceived as preventative measure, so much so that amalgam fillings were extended to include all the fissures to “prevent” caries in a part of the tooth that was sound. So they were unnecessarily large (by todays teachings) and visible due to being silver. Obviously this leads to further treatment needs 10-20 years later.
Dentistry has developed since then, treatments are less invasive, technology and materials are better and patients look after their teeth better. Where I think it will cause problems is the “cosmetic” treatments. Patients want them early on in life and will catch up with them, particularly anything that involves a drill like ceramic veneers, etc. it’s not irreversible no matter what. The treatment needs to be adequate for patients oral health and age. the trouble is that you will always find a dentist that will do what you want irrespective of its right for you.
In the 70s you had the NHS pay system abused today… the poor and unnecessary treatment/upsells continue. Perhaps ignorance is bliss.
In short… to answer OP, yes, probably.
On the other hand fillings in the 70s were also perceived as preventative measure, so much so that amalgam fillings were extended to include all the fissures to “prevent” caries in a part of the tooth that was sound. So they were unnecessarily large (by todays teachings) and visible due to being silver. Obviously this leads to further treatment needs 10-20 years later.
Dentistry has developed since then, treatments are less invasive, technology and materials are better and patients look after their teeth better. Where I think it will cause problems is the “cosmetic” treatments. Patients want them early on in life and will catch up with them, particularly anything that involves a drill like ceramic veneers, etc. it’s not irreversible no matter what. The treatment needs to be adequate for patients oral health and age. the trouble is that you will always find a dentist that will do what you want irrespective of its right for you.
In the 70s you had the NHS pay system abused today… the poor and unnecessary treatment/upsells continue. Perhaps ignorance is bliss.
In short… to answer OP, yes, probably.
Edited by CrgT16 on Saturday 15th January 07:35
Evoluzione said:
Someone who is circa 20 or who has kids needs to respond.
I know a customer who's kids mouth looks like something from terminator. Front ones haven't been touched. Fizzy juice his dentist blamed it on. Maybe kids "adult" teeth are soft to begin with. My dentist went private only. I went to uni but my parents paid the full family's monthly fee to stay a member. Came back, went for my first check up. Got to say no waiting, great service and then they said I needed 12 fillings, over £500 of work. More if I wanted white fillings. I said no. Parents stopped paying, I managed to get a space at the NHS dentist and only needed 1 filling repair in 10 years since. Scammers.
Edited by hotchy on Saturday 15th January 07:40
Evoluzione said:
Someone who is circa 20 or who has kids needs to respond.
I wish I still was. 33 years old, and no fillings, semi-regular trips to the dentist.I have one tooth that has some decay, but its been like that for several years, and several different dentists have said "We wouldn't touch that yet, just keep an eye on it". (NHS and private)
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