Quote:
Originally posted by qpid
Very cool thread
Just one question (and I mean no disrespct) but do dentists get kickbacks from Companies like Crest and Colgate to recommend those brands of toothpaste and toothbrushes or something similar?
This is not a dig on dentists I'm an econ minor and this kind stuff interestes me 
oh and a quick dental question:
my too front teeth are slightly crooked and a few years ago I had a dental assistant mention I should get braces, wheras no dentist has ever told me that before so I dunno if he was trying to get me to get a possible elective procedure for monetary reasons or what, ideas?
|
We don't get kickbacks from companies for recommending their products (how would they know if we recommended it?) but the companies do send lots of free samples, hoping we'll use it & like it and recommend it. Same with prescriptions.
As for your teeth, dentists range pretty wide on the scale of aggressive vs. conservative in treatment ideology. You may have come in contact with dentists that think "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" meaning don't touch those teeth if it doesn't bother you. Others would recommend straightening them out. Would he make money doing it? Yes, if he does it himself. No, if he sends you to an orthodontist.
I don't think this is a money situation. I think some dentists just tend to see teeth that aren't perfectly alligned as "good enough". Others will try and fix it. But you are the one that decides. See what your insurance company would cover and go from there.