Do You Know These Dentist Scams?

Have you ever gone to the dentist and walked out feeling like something wasn’t quite right? I have. And let me tell you—it’s not a fun feeling. Dentists are supposed to keep our teeth healthy. Most of them do a great job. But just like in any business, there are a few who try to trick people. They use fancy words, scare tactics, or even charge for things you don’t need. That’s what I call dentist scams.

In this post, I’m going to share the most common scams I’ve seen or heard about. I’ll also give you tips to protect yourself. My goal is to help you walk into your next dentist appointment with confidence—and walk out with your wallet still intact.

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Why This Matters

Your mouth is important. Your teeth help you eat, smile, and talk. But dental care can also be very expensive. A crown, filling, or root canal can cost hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars. If a dentist tricks you into paying for something you don’t need, that’s not just unfair. It can also hurt your health.

I once had a dentist try to convince me I needed four cavities filled. But when I got a second opinion, another dentist said my teeth were just fine. That’s when I realized—dentist scams are real, and they can happen to anyone.

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Scam #1: The Phantom Cavity

This is one of the sneakiest tricks. A dentist looks at your teeth and says, “Oh no, you’ve got a cavity!” But guess what? There’s no cavity at all. They just want to make money by drilling into a tooth that didn’t need it.

I know someone who went through this. Her dentist told her she needed three fillings. She felt nervous, so she got a second opinion. The new dentist took X-rays and said, “You don’t have any cavities at all.” Imagine how much money—and pain—she saved by double-checking.

How to protect yourself:

• Always ask to see the X-ray.

• Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion.

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Scam #2: The “Deep Cleaning” Push

Now, don’t get me wrong. Sometimes deep cleanings are necessary, especially if your gums are unhealthy. But some dentists push deep cleaning when a regular cleaning would do just fine. Why? Because deep cleaning costs more.

I had a dentist once who said, “You need a deep cleaning every three months.” That seemed odd. I asked another dentist, and he said, “Once a year is plenty for you.” Big difference, right?

How to protect yourself:

• Ask why you need a deep cleaning.

• Compare answers from more than one dentist.

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Scam #3: Unneeded Crowns

A crown is like a cap that covers a tooth. Crowns are useful if your tooth is cracked or weak. But some dentists suggest crowns even when a simple filling would fix the problem. Crowns can cost over $1,000!

My neighbor told me her dentist wanted to crown almost every tooth in her mouth. That’s a red flag. A trustworthy dentist tries to save your natural teeth whenever possible.

How to protect yourself:

• Ask if a filling or other option will work instead.

• Get photos or X-rays to see the damage yourself.

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Scam #4: Fake “Urgency”

This scam plays on fear. A dentist says something like, “You need this treatment right now, or you’ll lose your tooth!” They make it sound like an emergency so you’ll agree without thinking.

One time, a dentist told me I needed a root canal immediately. I felt pressured. But I waited and got another opinion. Turned out, I didn’t need a root canal at all. My tooth was healthy.

How to protect yourself:

• Take a breath.

• Ask, “Is this truly an emergency, or can I wait?”

• If it’s not life-threatening, get a second opinion.

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Scam #5: Charging for Work Not Done

This one makes me so mad. Some dentists charge for treatments they never actually do. For example, they might bill for an X-ray they didn’t take, or a fluoride treatment they never gave.

I once looked at my dental bill and saw a charge for “tooth sealants.” But no one ever put sealants on my teeth. I called the office, and after some arguing, they admitted it was a mistake. Always check your bill!

How to protect yourself:

• Ask for an itemized bill.

• Double-check every charge.

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Scam #6: Extra X-Rays

X-rays can be helpful, but too many aren’t good for you. Radiation is involved, even if it’s a small amount. Some dentists order X-rays every visit—even if you just had them done six months ago. That’s often unnecessary, and it’s a way to add to your bill.

How to protect yourself:

• Ask, “Do I really need another X-ray today?”

• Keep copies of your past X-rays to show new dentists.

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Scam #7: Cosmetic Pressure

Not all dental scams are about health. Some are about beauty. Dentists might push teeth whitening, veneers, or other cosmetic treatments you don’t really need. These can cost a lot, and sometimes they damage your teeth in the long run.

I remember when my dentist kept saying, “You’d look so much better with veneers.” I finally said, “I like my teeth the way they are.” Don’t let anyone make you feel bad about your natural smile.

How to protect yourself:

• Remember: cosmetic work is optional.

• Don’t let shame or pressure guide your choices.

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Why I Don’t Go To The Dentist

I remember when I was a kid…

I went to the dentist every year….

And the orthodontist…

To try and fix my teeth.

“Try” is the important word there, because...

In the end, after years of work…

Hundreds of dental visits…

And thousands of dollars...

They gave us an ultimatum.

Either we pay $60,000 for dental surgery…

Or we stop coming in for check-ups, because…

“There was nothing else they could do.”

I don’t understand why dentists think families should spend their entire year’s salary on fixing their teeth.

How can it be so incredibly expensive?

We turned down the surgery and saved our money.

And to this day, I’m so glad we did.

Because if you’re suffering from yellow teeth…

Inflamed, bleeding gums…

Or even advanced tooth decay…

You do not need to shell out thousands of dollars…

Or pay expensive monthly dental insurance premiums…

Just to keep your teeth clean and healthy.

In fact, you never need to set foot in a dentist office ever again.

Instead, there’s a new home remedy that’s taken the world by storm, and…

All you have to do is mix together these dirt-cheap ingredients…

And let them do all the hard work for you.

This is something completely brand new…

And the dental association isn’t happy about it stealing so many of their customers…

So make sure to check it out now…

Before their unions get it taken down for good.