[xyzzy_plugh]

This is my experience as well. When I'm looking for a new dentist it usually takes me 3 appointments, each with a different dentist, before I find the dentist that tells me "the other two were ripping you off."

It's frustrating but I agree that new builds or expensive locales seem to amplify this effect. Established shops in less fancy areas tend to leave me feeling much better and are almost always quicker while being more thorough.

Another part of the problem, as it has been described to me, is that so many dentists are perfectionists, and they find minor non-issues to be glaring. Like if I have a discoloured filling in a molar... is replacing it really warranted just for cosmetic purposes?

I will also add that, a visit to most dentists where you clarify up-front that you have no insurance can be a very different experience.

[DowagerDave]

I grew up without any dental coverage and you are right; if you say first thing "I have no coverage and pay for everything out of pocket" you typically get a very different experience.

It's not just the dentists that are perfectionists, but culturally perfect teeth is an expectation in a lot of the world now. I get it; a kid who's hesitant to smile because they're embarrassed with their teeth is heart-breaking, but it's also very expensive.