thumbs-down for Dental Services PC

[elusiveat.livejournal.com]

Back in January when I went in to have my teeth cleaned at Dental Services PC, my hygienist pretty muchly strong-arming me into getting X-rays that I did not want to pay for, and wouldn't really have wanted even if they were covered by insurance. The only explanation given was that this was a really good dentist's office and not some walk-in place that would just do whatever you asked, that it was important to them to monitor the health of their patients. Which evidently means annual X-rays.

When I talked to my periodontist about it, he said that he thought that was completely inappropriate and that you always have the right to refuse X-rays, and once you say no it should not be raised again as a question.

So, today when I called the office (http://dentalservicespc.com/) to see about rescheduling an appointment, I also asked whether the yearly X-ray policy is for real. Well, it turns out that it is indeed *required* for all patients there. Or so I was told by the receptionist who picked up.

So, even though it's only 6 months since my last X-ray, I canceled my appointment, and I will instead get my teeth cleaned at my periodontist's office (http://www.cambridgeperio.com/). There, I know that there is at least one doctor (Alan DerKazarian) with a healthy respect for radiation and for patient wishes regarding minimizing exposure.

Comments

[teele-sq.livejournal.com]

Hm, yes I see now that you said Alan DerKazarian who is the father, and my only experience was with Mark, the son. Sorry for the mix up.

[dfan.livejournal.com]

I am also really happy with Mark DerKazarian. He's friendly but also super-informative about what your situation is and what he's doing about it.

[elusiveat.livejournal.com]

This is really good to hear. I've only met with Alan DerKazarian (who is really awesome, intelligent, and personable), but it's Mark DerKazarian who is going to be doing a procedure on my gums.