Routine cleanings...Where's the dentist?

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Tina - 30 Mar 2004 22:57 GMT

I have noticed, more often that not, that when I go to have a cleaning the
dentist is not available to check my teeth. Is this the norm at many
offices today? Do "cleanings" not entail a check-up by a dentist anymore?
The Dr. is either not available for whatever reason or is not in the office.
The whole reason why I'm going to these appointments is for prevention,
especially when a few teeth have been placed on the "watch list" for a
while... This is the second appointment now in 2 years (in two different
offices) where I have not been seen by a dentist. Do I need to specify
"cleaning and check-up by a dentist" ahead of time now or what?

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Alexander Vasserman DDS., BS. - 31 Mar 2004 09:39 GMT

> I have noticed, more often that not, that when I go to have a cleaning the
> dentist is not available to check my teeth. Is this the norm at many
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> offices) where I have not been seen by a dentist. Do I need to specify
> "cleaning and check-up by a dentist" ahead of time now or what?

You should get at least one exam per year.

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Dr. Steve - 31 Mar 2004 13:09 GMT

She may be in a HMO or PPO office where the doc has to run so fast, he/she
must rely on the RDH to tell him/her if anything needs attention. If HMO,
the RDH will be ignored anyway.

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`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Stephen Mancuso, D.D.S.
Troy, Michigan USA
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
.

> > I have noticed, more often that not, that when I go to have a cleaning the
> > dentist is not available to check my teeth. Is this the norm at many
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> You should get at least one exam per year.

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Joel M. Eichen, D.D.S. - 31 Mar 2004 20:26 GMT

Illegal in Pennsyvlania ... and elsewhere!

>She may be in a HMO or PPO office where the doc has to run so fast, he/she
>must rely on the RDH to tell him/her if anything needs attention. If HMO,
>the RDH will be ignored anyway.

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Joel M. Eichen, D.D.S. - 31 Mar 2004 20:26 GMT

>I have noticed, more often that not, that when I go to have a cleaning the
>dentist is not available to check my teeth.

In most states its a violation of the Dental Law for a hygienist to
clean someone's teeth without examination and authorization by the
dentist.

JOEL

> Is this the norm at many
>offices today? Do "cleanings" not entail a check-up by a dentist anymore?
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>offices) where I have not been seen by a dentist. Do I need to specify
>"cleaning and check-up by a dentist" ahead of time now or what?

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Tina - 31 Mar 2004 23:12 GMT

> In most states its a violation of the Dental Law for a hygienist to
> clean someone's teeth without examination and authorization by the
> dentist.
>
> JOEL

Any idea if it's illegal in MA?

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