When did going to the dentist become like buying a car?

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The last time I needed multiple things done was 10 years ago, from what I recall it was ' sign in, initial here and off you go'. I only had Medi-cal at that time. 3 years ago I had an issue and due to my insurance becoming 'Onecare' they switched my dentist without my knowledge. After a bad experience from that I got back in with my regular place and I was supposed to get a follow-up to the root canal the 3rd party did. They took X rays and the whole appointment turned out to be salesmanship and I left angry and confused

So I had to get in today. The receptionist was pretty nice overall, they do Xrays where I tell them the pain is, a doc comes in and looks, walks me through his plan of action. 5 minutes later some other person comes in and says "yt8jp0[uiyp8u = $2200" and starts talking about financing. I ask if I in fact do have insurance, what does it cover and what good does it do having it if they're throwing these numbers at me. In the end I got referred to an endodontist in the morning. I suppose they find it more expedient to have the 3rd party take a cut from what they could have been billiing. I'm still confused but at least that part of my mouth will no longer screw up my day. I'm hoping someone knows how to navigate this

the only thing i could suggest would be to find a cheaper dentist or try a dental school, which offer deep discounts on dental care in exchange for being a "guinea pig" for the dental students.

Health care in America is too expensive. I live in Central America, and my sister prefers coming here when she needs to go to the doctor. Fly and all included, it is cheaper. I imagine it is a bad result of capitalism. Everyone wants to be rich: at your expense.

george orwell wrote an excellent description of today's america, in his dystopian novel "1984" - an excerpt, below-

"Ignorance is Strength details the perpetual class struggle characteristic of human societies;[3] beginning with the historical observation that societies always have hierarchically divided themselves into social classes and castes: the High (who rule); the Middle (who work for, and yearn to supplant the High), and the Low (whose goal is quotidian survival). Cyclically, the Middle deposed the High, by enlisting the Low. Upon assuming power, however, the Middle (the new High class) recast the Low into their usual servitude. In the event, the classes perpetually repeat the cycle, when the Middle class speaks to the Low class of "justice" and of "human brotherhood" in aid of becoming the High class rulers."

I realize at the end of the day they have their expenses to cover, and I'm not expecting anything extravagant like implants. It just seems that the whole experience has changed to where the steps don't occur in the same order anymore. To be fair this is the 2nd time I've tried to take the initiative to look after myself without a parent or someone holding my hand through the process. Maybe they're smelling the fresh mark coming from a mile away

Some dental procedures can be very expensive, especially when you start talking root canals. You can negotiate the price though. I know a few people who do this instead of dental insurance. Some may be willing to give you a discounted price if you pay yourself.

At least you were able to get your situation taken care of; there's another thread where someone is complaining it took 3 months to see a doctor.