Ep 5. The Truth About Your Dentist

Possible episode description:

In "The Truth About Your Dentist," the fifth episode of Dispatches season 1, investigative journalist Tazeen Ahmad examines the hidden risks and costs of dental treatment in the UK, revealing some uncomfortable truths about the dental industry and its regulation.

Ahmad starts by visiting several dental patients who have suffered from botched or unnecessary procedures, some of which have left them in pain, with infections, or with depleted savings. She also talks to experts who warn about the lack of transparency and accountability in dentistry, which is mostly private and self-regulated, unlike other healthcare fields. While dentists have to be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) and follow some standards of care, there have been cases of malpractice, misconduct, and negligence that went unpunished or unreported.

Ahmad then meets some whistleblowers who have decided to speak out about their experiences with dental chains that prioritize profits over patients, exploiting loopholes in the system to push people into unnecessary treatments, hide the risks, and charge high prices. These companies often use aggressive marketing tactics, such as online ads, telemarketing, or leaflets, that target vulnerable groups, such as elderly or low-income people, who may be more susceptible to persuasion or less informed about their rights.

One of the companies investigated is MyDentist, which has over 600 practices and more than 2 million patients in the UK. Ahmad interviews some former employees who describe how MyDentist pressured dentists to meet revenue targets, performed inadequate checks on patients' health and consent, and had a culture of fear and intimidation. Some cases of harm caused by MyDentist include a man who lost most of his teeth due to unnecessary extractions, a woman who developed a serious infection after being told to go home instead of being referred to a hospital, and a girl who suffered from nerve damage after a botched root canal.

Ahmad also explores the issue of dental tourism, which has become more popular due to the lower prices and perceived quality of dental treatment abroad, especially in countries such as Hungary, Poland, and Turkey. However, there are risks associated with traveling for dental work, such as language barriers, unfamiliar regulations, inadequate follow-up care, and hidden costs. Some patients who have gone abroad have ended up paying more than expected, suffering from complications, or being stranded without proper assistance.

In addition, Ahmad investigates the case of an American dentist who was allowed to practice in the UK without disclosing his involvement in a $500 million fraud scheme in the US, where he had pleaded guilty and faced a prison sentence. The dentist, who had previously lost his license in the US, was able to obtain a license in the UK by exploiting a loophole in the GDC's registration process, which did not require disclosure of criminal convictions or offenses committed abroad. The case exposes the weakness of the dental regulators in vetting overseas qualifications and backgrounds, and raises concerns about the risks to public safety.

Overall, "The Truth About Your Dentist" offers a critical perspective on the dental industry and its impact on patients, urging viewers to be more informed, vigilant, and empowered when it comes to their dental health and rights. Through interviews with patients, whistleblowers, experts, and insiders, the episode sheds light on the hidden costs and risks of dentistry, and calls for more transparency, accountability, and regulation.