I like my dentist. She's a nice lady and I've gone to her for a bunch of years at her office on Central Park West.
I'm sure the rent there isn't cheap, and that's probably why I've noticed a trend where in the office, they keep pushing various treatments, beyond the usual whitening. She's also offering botox, and oral cancer screening ($75).
The last time I was there I fobbed off the cancer screening, saying I'd check with my insurance. I also did some research. I did though, go for a whitening "boost", which cost $250, and to tell the truth, I wasn't terribly impressed with.
At my appointment yesterday, the hygienist asked me if I had talked to my insurer about the screening, and I gave a very definitive "Nope". When she asked why, I said, "because you can't show me any evidence that people without risk-factors benefit." Silence. "To put it politely, I think it's a scam." More silence. She knew I was right.
Now when the dentist came in, I told her that I wasn't that impressed with the 'boost', and I asked her how those 'trays' you buy at the drug-store compare. I know someone who uses them, and her teeth are pretty darn white. She tried to scare me away from them, saying that without a custom tray ($250), the gels won't adhere properly, and the gels can leak, cause gum damage, etc.
At least some of that seemed reasonable, so I said I'd think about it. However, more research showed there is no evidence that store-bought whiteners, when used properly, cause any problems. So I bought a box at Duane Reade, and though it says you need at least 3 days to see a difference, this morning I thought my pearly-whites did indeed look whiter.
So just don't trust people because they wear a white coat.