Editorial: Dentists drilling for gold

I feel like a mug. I've just paid over $200 for nothing more than photos of my teeth. Meanwhile, I'm still holding my jaw and considering letting my wisdom tooth give up the ghost in its own sweet time.

I'm convinced dentists are as crooked as the fangs in pictures they tape to surgery walls to frighten children.

I sat in the chair, terrified, as many people feel - vulnerable and in extreme physical discomfort, as the dentist began peddling his wares.

First, some small X-rays. Next, a wider X-ray to see the health of the roots. All essential, I was told. The examination concluded with pincer close-ups with a regular camera in search of cavities.

I remember the good days when you got a check-up for half of nothing and a cleaning for free. I needed to make another appointment, he said. I needed a wisdom tooth extraction - a fact I knew before sitting on his $7-a-minute hot seat.

For my troubles, I didn't even get a gargle of mouthwash nor one of the photos as a molar memento.

I was in the grip of a greedy salesman, not a healthcare professional. It reminded me of another appointment I had some weeks back when the ambience of a relaxing facial was robbed by the terror-inducing sales pitch of the beauty therapist.

"Oh my god! My pores will do what?"

Likewise, at the hair salon - they're not content to have bums on seats. They nag about split ends until you crack and buy some exorbitantly priced serum too.

So, back to the dentist's chair, which is, according to the New Zealand Dental Association, part of the reason why the service is so expensive ...

Ok well - you pay for the dentist, the receptionist and the chair site and 65 per cent of the fee covers their costs.

After GST, the rest helps the dentist pay off student loans.

I'm less enthused about trips to the dentist and face an uncertain dental future. Is fluoridated water really as bad as people say?

I just hope the dentist finds my wisdom tooth as easy to extract from me as the $200.