I went to the dentist this morning. New dentist, as I just moved. I go to the dentist twice a year, forever, my teeth are fine.
They want to do x-rays. I say no it is not necessary. I do not agree with routine diagnostic dental x-rays and consider it my right to refuse them.
They inform me that they will do no treatment, no cleaning, the dentist will not even do a physical exam without an x-ray.
I ask if this is company policy or a law. They say it is policy and ADA requires it. The ADA has not legal authority as far as I I allow the x-rays because with my dental plan, I cannot go to a different dentist.
They basically all acted like I am crazy.
This just seems like insanity to me. Is this legal? I guess a business has a right to refuse service, but it just seems wrong to require me to be exposed to unnecessary gamma radiation, against my will.
BTW, I work in the nuclear industry, we take radiation exposure very seriously. I have no problem with getting x-rays if they are medically needed, but I think dental x-rays are mostly a scam to increase billing and they are poorly regulated. I am willing to "risk" my dental health to avoid the risk of unnecessary radiation exposure.