Question:
I just want my teeth cleaned.... no xrays or fancy expensive exam...... If
anyone knows of a good dental hygenist on Long Island
Answer:
I believe you will have a hell a comute. This is illegal in almost all states
in the Union.
A "cleaning" is a prescribed (although loosely prescribed with regular patients
in a practice) procedure that must be prescribed by a dentist. There are
private dental hygiene practices in Colorado. Maybe Pat knows exactly how they
work.
If your trying to get one the cheap, go to a dental hygiene school. You'll get
an excellent exam, a prophy, xrays, fluoride treatment, and a look at the germs
in your mouth with the benefit of a darkfield microscope all for under $20 or
so. Be sure to schedule at least least 4 hours.
While I agree in principle with much of what you say, different
patients have differing needs and differing foibles. They should not be
turned away without care based on some vague legalistic principle. That is
also professional neglect.
For example: for many years I would not allow my dentist to X-ray me
for a general exam. I had my reasons. I am an ex-nuclear power worker and
I wanted to give my body a rest from radiation for a few years. Having had
more training in health physics than my dentist, I made the decision that I
would rather risk the possible loss of a tooth than increase the risk of
cancer in my already somewhat compromised body. My dentist had no problem
with that.
Would you have turned me away?
Perhaps that other person is just a jerk trying to save some money, or
perhaps he/she is truly terrified of dentists and simply getting a cleaning
and a quick screening is the best that person can manage for now. We just
don't know.
As a TN hygienist, I cannot answer for a NY hygienist but I will try. It is not
possible to do a thorough exam without xrays. A cleaning is done on a healthy
mouth with no disease present. It against state laws for a hygienist to treat
a patient who has not been examined by the dentist and work done under the
direct supervision of that dentist. It is professional neglect to only do a
cleaning on a diseased mouth and opens the door for a malpractice suit.
Invest in a professional exam.
