Complete Guide to Dental Health [Paperback]

Jay W. Friedman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0759676569 | ISBN-13: 978-0759676565 | Publication Date: May 14, 2002 | Edition: 1

This guide to good dental health provides information consumers need to realistically assess their dental needs and those of their children. Not only will it help you avoid or minimize dental disease, it will save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars for unnecessary and potentially harmful treatment. Beginning with the premise that the best treatment is minimal treatment if it solves the problem, the author, a practicing dentist for more than 30 years, discusses guidelines and costs for common (and commonly expensive) dental procedures. He advises the reader on such topics as:Proper home care and prevention Frequency of X-rays and prophylaxis (professional cleaning)Diagnosing and treating tooth decay and gum diseaseComposite, silver amalgam, gold and porcelain fillingsSpecial precautions for childrenUnnecessary extractionsBleaching and veneeringIn clear, easy-to-understand language, Complete Guide to Dental Health outlines the costs, benefits, and risks of alternative treatments, suggesting ways to save time and money on such procedures as orthodontics, extractions and bridges. An extensive discussion of the misdiagnosis of impacted wisdom teeth, overuse of general anesthesia, and unnecessary caps and bleaching warns consumers of how they may be injured financially and physically by dentists.Most chapters conclude with recommendations to help you avoid being overcharged and overtreated. Charts provide information on a range of fees for common procedures. You are shown how dentists exploit patients with unnecessary treatment, upgrades and add-ons.Suggestions on how to choose and evaluate a dentist will turn the average patient into a savvy consumer. With extensive information on how dental decay and periodontal (pyorrhea) disease occur, Complete Guide to Dental Health will help protect your teeth and your pocketbook.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jay W. Friedman, D.D.S., M.P.H. pioneered in the development of quality standards for dental care, group practice and dental insurance. In addition to extensive clinical practice, he was a researcher at UCLA's School of Public Health, a consultant to many state and national organizations, and is presently dental director of Universal Care, a California health plan.Dr. Friedman has published over 50 papers in professional journals and a number of books on consumer health issues, including a Guide for the Evaluation of Dental Care and the first edition of Complete Guide to Dental Health: How to Avoid Being Overcharged and Overtreated, originally published by Consumer Reports Books in 1991. Dr. Friedman graduated Columbia University dental school in 1948 and received a master's degree in public health in 1962 from the University of Michigan. His career has spanned the entire transition of dentistry from the isolation of solo fee-for-service private practice to the proliferation of high volume group practices based on dental insurance.He has been the recipient of numerous honors, including the Special Merit Award from the American Association of Public Health Dentistry.

Product Details

• Paperback: 316 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse; 1 edition (May 14, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0759676569
• ISBN-13: 978-0759676565
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #981,184 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good value for money!, October 10, 2008

By 

kclam (Hong Kong, China) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Complete Guide to Dental Health (Paperback)

This book is about common dental problems, diseases, their prevention and treatments. The topics covered are quite comprehensive, such as dental caries (decay), periodontal disease, replacement of missing teeth, root canal treatment, cosmetic dentistry, tooth extraction, common diseases of the gum and soft tissues of the mouth. I particularly find the recommendations at the end of each chapter very useful. These practical tips enable consumers to arrive at informed decisions to avoid being overcharged and overtreated.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book before getting treatment!, June 10, 2009

By 

pogo821 (San Diego CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Complete Guide to Dental Health (Paperback)

I wish I had read this book before I started getting dental treatments. It would have saved me a lot of unnecessary bills.

This book covers anything & everything about dental treatments and how to avoid "charlatans" who make up dental problems just so they can get money out of you. In my case, a young dentist (whom I stopped seeing within a month) removed amalgam fillings just as a "preventative" against future cracking. That created more problems like an unforeseen root canal. Pretty soon a routine cleaning turns into a $2,000 bill! Don't fall for their scare tactics in the chair. Be an educated consumer.

And if you're so inclined, read Dr. Friedman's public health articles on dentistry.

Too bad, dentists like him are going the way of the dodo.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this book before your next dentist appointment, October 4, 2004

By 

book lover (new york city) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Complete Guide to Dental Health (Paperback)

This book is an excellent reference tool. Before you let a dentist talk you into expensive, maybe unnecessary dental work that may create even more problems down the road, sit down with this book. You'll find clear explanations of dental problems and procedures and this book can give you additional information and assurance when you suspect your dentist's recommendations may not always be in your best interests.