First, dental offices may have varying degrees of conservativeness/aggressiveness in diagnosing dental problems.
Second, perhaps the dental office is managed or is owned by an entity that is motivated more so by profits. These offices may have owners or shareholders who expect a certain return on their money. This can pressure the dentists in the office to be more aggressive.
In many cases, there are no hard-and-fast rules. “Even among skilled, ethical dentists, there can be discrepancies in treatment plans.
But other influences might sometimes play a role, too.
For example, corporate or private-equity-owned dental service organizations may encourage some dentists to sell people unnecessary treatments to maximize profits.
Lastly, perhaps the dentists in the office are not owners. Instead, they may be employees or independent contractors who make most of their money on a commissioned basis. For some, this can cloud their diagnostic judgments to make them more aggressive.
People should ask about the benefits, risks, and alternatives of any proposed treatment.
If you don’t feel comfortable, and you feel like you’re not being listened to, it’s time for a second opinion.