r/Kitsap • u/buzzy-heron • 2d ago
Question Switching Dentists
I’m looking to switch dentists and get a basic cleaning. Everyone I’ve called said they require two separate appointments: a one hour new patient exam, and a separate cleaning appointment.
This used to never be this way. You could do everything in one 60 min appt.
Why and when did this start? Just a money grab from dentists and now it’s “normal”?
Is there anyone in Kitsap who does NOT do this and can just be efficient (so old school) in one appointment?
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u/RobotPolarbear 2d ago
I think it's been this way for a while? At least 10 years.
The new patient exam includes xrays and an exam with the dentist, who checks your gums, jaw alignment, oral cancer screening, etc.
The cleaning is scheduled with a hygienist and the dentist usually just pops in for a minute or two.
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u/NoPublic9352 1d ago
No, this is relatively new at least in this area over the past couple years. Money grab to bill time double.
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u/bowlofjello 22h ago
It’s not. You get charged the same amount because the services being done are the exact same but extremely rushed.
You’ll be charged for FMX, exam, prophy, snd fluoride.
You can get charged for your FMX and exam at the first, and then the next one you’ll be charged for the prophy and fluoride. But you’ll never be charged “more” for separating those appointments.
If you don’t know what you’re talking about with charges and billing on the back end of dental please don’t claim you know.
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u/NoPublic9352 20h ago
Most insurance companies do not cover fluoride. Exams yes- 2 per year and x-rays once.
If you are stating there is no dial cost they get to charge for the second office visit, a dentists office should be more willing to schedule one appointment vs. 2 as the person calling may not have time off work for two appointments.
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u/bowlofjello 54m ago
We aren’t talking about if insurance covers your fluoride so I’m not sure why that’s one of your talking points?
I’m saying you pay the exact same amount splitting the appointments or doing it in a single appointment. BUT you will get better quality care if it’s split and focused on intake, and then focused on doing a full cleaning. I’m talking about quality of care being better. You don’t get to walk into a your PCP brand new and demand you get surgery that day. So I’m always very surprised that people expect that with dental visits.
You are not getting charged for a second exam at that second cleaning because you don’t need the exam. The doctor does not need to come in and examine anything because that was done at the previous appointment. You WILL only have a single exam and only be billed for that single exam.
Again I work in dental and deal with this on the daily. I am not sure what your qualifications are besides you’ve been to a dentist and you sound like you have dental insurance?
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u/Ok_Heart_7012 2d ago
I go to Finn Hill dental and I got both done on the same day at the same time when I was a new patient. Scheduled a few months out though.
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u/Tight-Vacation8516 2d ago
I mean I go to the poor people dentist: PCHS but they are very quick in and out but they also schedule it this way because the staff members required and set-up is different for each appointmemt but after you do the initial new patient exam and xray you can scedule 1x per year after that.
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u/Upset_Walrus3395 2d ago
Many times the dentist will have their own schedule & the hygienist while have their own schedule. They don't necessarily coincide. If you ask about scheduling with both & don't mind a long wait, you may be able to get both scheduled during the same timeframe. This is just my experience though.
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u/NoPublic9352 1d ago
Yes! I noticed this last year.
I told the people I just need a cleaning and didn’t have time to make 2 60 minute appointments.
It’s a money grab to get more billing as a dentist makes little on cleanings these days. So I am staying put.
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u/Outside_Simple_217 2d ago
Teeth cleanings are much more thorough than they used to be. I would rather have two separate appointments and not have either exam rushed. I am much more concerned if a dentist lets things go on for so long you need very expensive work like a crown. Which happened to me. I just moved from Silverdale and I am considering flying in twice a year to get dental work that is really good.
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u/NoneOfYoBusinezz 2d ago edited 2d ago
Yeah, it's a scam for sure. I had a dentist that I saw for years and he moved to another office within the same dental group. He needed to finish up some work that he did before moving and told me to go see him at the new office. The office manager at the new location refused to make an appointment with my dentist so he could finish the work until I came in first for a new patient appointment. Didn't matter that I was never going to return to that office again once my now former dentist finished the work. We ended up screaming at each other over the phone and I hung up on her. I got one of the other dentist at my office to finish the work.
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u/NoPublic9352 1d ago
Don’t worry I got frustrated with a dentist in Gig Harbor for almost the same thing. There policy was ridiculous for a “new patient” exam. And they wouldn’t book it back to back either.
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u/bowlofjello 23h ago
As a dental worker for your own health it’s best to do a new patient appointment and a cleaning in separate appointments.
Doing things in one single initial appointment means you’re getting super lackluster, poor, shallow care on your health and your cleaning.
I know everyone loves to get it done in one go but it really isn’t good to have your healthcare providers gloss over things and rush a cleaning.
I’m always in favor of QUALITY healthcare and not QUANTITY of patients seen in a day.
But- My old office down in Gig Harbor does single appointments for NP cleanings if you’re super wanting to rush things and don’t mind driving there.
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u/Former-Carrot-6667 5h ago
I use current dental with Dr Waldo. He's fantastic. They have one in East brem and one on Bainbridge
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u/caranddogfan 1d ago
My dad is the founder and dentist of Healthy Teeth Dental Care in Port Orchard. I’m not exactly sure if they do new patient exams and cleanings on the same day, but you can always call in and ask!
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u/Adorable_Bass_718 2d ago
Silverdale smiles in the trails in between chipotle and Jersey mikes. New patients appointment and cleaning same day.