<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>April 12, 2009
YOUR LETTERS
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Setting dental record straight
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I read with amusement last Sunday's article, 'Mental over dental', but as a dentist, I also found it full of errors.
Ms Fiona Chan wrote that what she dreads most about visiting a dentist is what happens after the visit: Paying the bill.
Dentists, doctors, lawyers and tax accountants are highly skilled people who have gone through rigorous training and deservedly command a high fee when their services are required.
My advice to those visiting a dentist is to ask for the estimated bill size before any treatment is rendered so that they will not get a rude shock later.
Like in any other profession, we try to uphold a high standard of professionalism and ethics.
I do not know where Ms Chan goes for her dental treatment, but in my practice, patients usually get a check-up, a scale and polish, X-rays and fills if needed in less than one hour.
If the dentist is running late, the dental team will always try to inform the next patient to make alternative arrangements.
Dr Ng Yong Kheng
YOUR LETTERS
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Setting dental record straight
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I read with amusement last Sunday's article, 'Mental over dental', but as a dentist, I also found it full of errors.
Ms Fiona Chan wrote that what she dreads most about visiting a dentist is what happens after the visit: Paying the bill.
Dentists, doctors, lawyers and tax accountants are highly skilled people who have gone through rigorous training and deservedly command a high fee when their services are required.
My advice to those visiting a dentist is to ask for the estimated bill size before any treatment is rendered so that they will not get a rude shock later.
Like in any other profession, we try to uphold a high standard of professionalism and ethics.
I do not know where Ms Chan goes for her dental treatment, but in my practice, patients usually get a check-up, a scale and polish, X-rays and fills if needed in less than one hour.
If the dentist is running late, the dental team will always try to inform the next patient to make alternative arrangements.
Dr Ng Yong Kheng
