How do I question a dental quote without assuming the dentist is upselling?
Health"The whitening can wait," the dentist said. "The back tooth is the part I want you to understand."
I went to a private practice in England for a check-up. An old filling has a thin remaining tooth wall, according to the dentist, who recommended a crown. I nodded through the explanation. At reception the proposed crown was £780 and optional whitening was £220 on the same printed quote.
My husband saw £1,000 and said the whole visit sounded like a sales pitch. The whitening was something I had asked about, which I forgot to tell him. Now I have helped create a more suspicious version of the appointment than the one that happened.
I can pay for the crown by using money set aside for a car repair. A second opinion would also cost a consultation and time off, and I have not asked the first dentist how soon a decision is needed.
[The NHS advises asking the dentist to explain the proposed options, risks, benefits and likely outcome](https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/what-dental-services-are-available-on-the-nhs/). That is the conversation I failed to have. What should I ask before deciding whether to accept this recommendation or pay for another opinion?