1 /5 Sharmila Pereira: I recently moved to Australia and needed to find a dentist. I consulted with Dr. Pearly at the National Dental Care, who was very friendly, warm, and sweet, making me feel comfortable. However, I ended up getting FOUR fillings that I now believe weren’t necessary, and they were incredibly expensive—totalling $610 ($378 out of pocket!). After speaking with my regular dentist back home, who had seen my teeth shortly before I moved, he was shocked to hear I had gotten these fillings. He had only noted mild staining on my teeth, but nothing that required fillings.
I was misled into receiving these fillings, as I was led to believe it was a matter of urgency. I was advised to either get the four fillings or risk having my teeth removed, which seemed extreme.
Additionally, I was told to get EIGHT fissure sealants for ALL of my molars, which would have cost an extra $480. Other treatments were suggested as well, which brought the total of my bill to +-$1,700…My previous dentist mentioned that, since I take great care of my teeth, these sealants were highly unnecessary.
While I appreciated the warmth of the staff, I feel quite taken advantage of by these treatments. This experience has served as a harsh reminder that, although dentists can be friendly and caring, they are also essentially running a business. I DEFINITELY suggest to get a second opinion when treatments are recommended, especially if it involves substantial costs. I wish I had taken this step before committing to such expensive procedures.
