How to choose a dentist?

Can the cost of dental care be compared between different practitioners?

Yes, but it is difficult to compare dental care offered by different dentists. The main reason is the very nature of what we are trying to compare is a service and not a concrete commodity that is easily measurable and comparable.

It could be argued that it is indeed possible to compare simple procedures or services such as radiography, cleaning and some other basic dental procedures.

But the fact remains that, despite public perception, it is often impossible to compare treatment plans unless they are exactly the same, and again… For example, being offered a gum graft and having a number of dental implants placed to support a bridge by two different dentists may imply significant differences in the approach used by each, which can easily justify a significant difference in fees.

Does this mean that the “most expensive” dentist is abusing his patient? Absolutely not. In practice, the most expensive treatment plan can be a long-term “windfall” if it is well executed and provides additional benefits to the patient compared to the less “expensive” approach.