Judgmental bitch. Dental insurance coverage is so much worse than medical it’s can be basically non existent
Privilege is blinding. The dentist can’t fathom how a “normal” person they are speaking to couldn’t afford to go to a dentist. It doesn’t even register. The dentist then must assume it was pure laziness or apathy.
A lot of Dentist retire by 50. They are not exactly wage slaves but I get what you are saying.
It is laziness or apathy. If for 30 years you were unable to spare $100 for a single checkup, then you are either sick or suck at managing money. And if you still can’t afford that for 30 years, there are organisations that will do it for free - you just need to reach out to them.
Being unable to put aside $100 for a year, year and a half - sure. Being unable to put aside $100 for thirty years? Yeah, nah.
In addition to the other reasons, there is also the worry of surprise charges. You’ll go in for a $100 checkup, only to find a bunch of other “standard” fees and services tacked on at the end. They’ll act like this is normal, and you’re weird for asking how much it costs up front.
This is twice as bad at the doctor than at the dentist.
Nearly 80% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck (https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/living-paycheck-to-paycheck-statistics-2024/), and lots of those struggle to cover their standard expenses. Getting your teeth checked doesn’t help you stay in paying work. If you manage to save a few hundred you’re probably going to spend it on that house or car repair that you’ve been needing for months, or some new clothes for your kids.
It’s not the cost of the checkup I worried about. It was the cost of fixing any problems they find. At that point why bother getting the checkup if I can’t afford that?