logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2021
23m 52s

Is my dentist scamming me?

TED
About this episode
When a dentist tells us something is wrong with our teeth, we tend to follow their advice. But when Mona visits two different dentists, they give her two wildly different diagnoses (with wildly different price tags). So how do we know who's telling the tooth? Mona digs up the dental data to look for answers, and finds that in reality, the study of dentistry is riddled with holes.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Nov 2023
Together for 20 years — but living apart?
The binary category of single/married doesn't allow for much nuance. What if, say, you’re in a long term committed relationship like a marriage — but you live apart? In the last episode of this mini series, Saleem talks to a couple who’s been living apart together ("LAT") for yea ... Show More
22m 39s
Oct 2023
What it's like to find your birth parent
In Britain, one-fourth of people who were adopted make contact with their birth parents before they turn 18. In this episode, Saleem meets Amanda, a Dominican woman who was adopted by a white couple in Connecticut. Amanda always knew she was adopted and was curious about her birt ... Show More
20m 47s
Oct 2023
Lessons from the happiest place in the world
For multiple years in a row, Gallup has named Finland the happiest country in the world. But can you actually measure happiness — and what do the Finns know that the rest of the world doesn’t? Before you move to Finland, we talk to a Finnish “happyologist” about how she defines h ... Show More
22m 29s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2021
Is my dentist scamming me? | Am I Normal? with Mona Chalabi
When a dentist tells us something is wrong with our teeth, we tend to follow their advice. But when Mona visits two different dentists, they give her two wildly different diagnoses (with wildly different price tags). So how do we know who's telling the tooth? Mona digs up the den ... Show More
24m 58s
Mar 2021
Adventures with dentures: The story of dentistry
Until the eighteenth century there were no professional dentists. The only way to deal with a serious case of toothache was to call on the services of blacksmiths, travelling showmen or so-called barber-surgeons, all of whom had a sideline in tooth extraction. But in 1728, French ... Show More
39m 29s
Feb 2023
'Do I really need to floss?' and other common questions about dental care
We asked experts to answer five questions about how to properly care for your teeth. Here's what they said about finding a dentist, whitening your teeth at home, and whether daily flossing is necessary. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Pr ... Show More
21m 14s
Dec 2022
CLASSIC: When Dentist Sold Dentures Made with Corpse Teeth
Here in the modern day, most people don’t love going to the dentist — but we still have it much better than the dental patients of yesteryear! In today's classic episode, we join the guys as they dive into a strange, grisly story from the early days of dentistry.See omnystudio.co ... Show More
32m 44s
Jun 2021
STDWYTK Goes to the Dentist
Few people look forward to visiting the dentist -- it can be an uncomfortable, but necessary, process. In the US, many people end up putting off their appointments due to anxiety or financial concerns, but in general everyone can agree dental hygiene is important, and dentists do ... Show More
1h 4m
Nov 2022
Not Flossing is the Mouth Equivalent of Not Wiping Your Butt - Dental Care In Canada
Leanne Huvenaars is a Metis dental hygienist from Saskatchewan who has previously served as the President of the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association. She is the co-owner of Tisdale Dental and Dental Hygiene Clinic and T2 Dental and Dental Hygiene clinic. This week she joins Je ... Show More
36m 29s
Dec 2023
Why do we have to brush our teeth?
Every morning and every night we have to get the toothpaste and our toothbrushes and clean our teeth... But why? Let's visit dentist Dr Mihiri Silva for a check up and learn why it's so important to look after our teeth. 
13m 19s
Feb 2022
Una visita al dentista
This sixth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is inspired by requests from my listeners. Silvia loves sweets a bit too much. Her love of sugar catches up with her in the form of a toothache. Now she must visit the dentist. First, the hygienist takes x-rays and cleans up her teet ... Show More
15m 2s
Aug 2023
Why do we have crooked teeth when our ancestors didn't? | G. Richard Scott
According to the fossil record, ancient humans usually had straight teeth, complete with wisdom teeth. In fact, the dental dilemmas that fuel the demand for braces and wisdom teeth extractions today appear to be recent developments. So, what happened? While it's nearly impossible ... Show More
6m 39s
Sep 2023
Teeth: an owner's manual
Brush twice a day. Remember to floss. Visit the dentist twice a year. We know the drill...or maybe not? In this episode, how to take care of your teeth, from finding a good dentist, to home teeth whitening, to the best brushing techniques. This episode originally published on Feb ... Show More
21m 14s