Your choice of dentist plays just as big of a role in your oral health as brushing and flossing every day.
A bad dentist can not only turn simple treatments into painful procedures with long-term consequences, but also drain your wallet in the process.
So, how do you spot a bad dentist before it’s too late?
In this guide, we’ll break down 13 common warning signs of a bad dentist so you can steer clear and find a good dentist who actually deserves your trust.
Let’s take a look:
There is absolutely no margin for error when it comes to hygiene in dental offices.
Dental tools come in direct contact with your mouth (often with exposed gums or tissue), making any lapse in sterilization a serious health risk.
Contaminated instruments can transmit infections like hepatitis, oral thrush, or even dangerous bacterial infections that could lead to tooth loss or systemic illness.
So, when you walk into a dental clinic, do a quick hygiene audit. Are the tools sealed? Are gloves changed regularly? Ask the staff about their disinfection protocols. Reputable clinics won’t hesitate to explain how they maintain strict hygiene standards.
Any dentist who exaggerates or scares you into getting treatment is simply trying to squeeze as much money as possible out of your pockets.
A major red flag is when basic tests lead to recommendations for complex and costly procedures. It’s just not realistic to determine from a 10-minute consultation for teeth whitening that you suddenly need tooth extraction and denture fitting.
Run as far away as possible from sales-y dentists. These upsells don’t just drain your wallet but can also expose you to unnecessary pain, complications, and long recovery times, all for procedures you may not have even needed in the first place.
A good dentist will always be open, approachable, and thorough when explaining your dental procedure before entering the operating room.
If a dentist fails to show any of these traits, it’s a sign to look for another professional. Dentists focused on profit tend to rush through explanations and steer the conversation toward squeezing in as many treatments as possible.
They’ll dodge your questions, get frustrated when challenged, and throw around buzzwords to appear competent. If they can’t break things down in simple language, chances are they’re trying to create a false impression of their expertise.
Dental visits are already quite daunting for most people.
But if a dentist makes you feel unheard or belittled, you should walk out of that clinic without hesitation.
Dismissive or rude behaviour like ignoring your symptoms, brushing off your concerns, or getting irritated when asked to explain the treatment plan should never be ignored. Some may even shame you for poor oral hygiene rather than offer solutions.
This isn’t just unprofessional but shows a complete lack of empathy. And any dentist who lacks basic respect for their patients has no business offering medical care, let alone running a practice.
Clinics that constantly lose staff usually have deeper problems beneath the surface. And they’re rarely minor.
Think about it: if the clinic owner doesn’t treat their own employees with respect, do you really believe they’ll prioritize your health and comfort as a patient?
High turnover often means toxic management, poor communication, and questionable ethics.
Worse, if new dentists keep rotating in, you’ll receive bad dental work, conflicting opinions, and repetitive diagnostics, all of which can slow your progress or lead to misdiagnosis.
If you notice a different face every visit, that clinic shouldn’t be managing your long-term dental care.
Extorting patients through unclear billing is one of the most common tricks in a bad dentist’s playbook.
You might get charged for “extra” services, vague line items, or tests you never approved, simply because the average patient doesn’t always know what to look for.
If your bill includes unexplained fees or doesn’t match the treatment you actually received, that’s a serious red flag. Some clinics use confusing language or inflated codes to inflate the final price.
Always ask for a detailed breakdown and don’t hesitate to dispute anything that feels off. In shady cases, it’s worth consulting a lawyer.
Customer reviews and testimonials are a solid benchmark of a dentist’s credibility and patient experience.
One of the best places to check these is Google. Type in the clinic’s name and look for at least 100 reviews with an average rating of 4.5 stars or higher.
Pay close attention to the negative reviews; understand what went wrong, and more importantly, how the clinic handled it.
Also, check their Facebook page and go through the ‘Reviews’ tab. Observe how they respond to feedback. Are they active, respectful, and accountable?
If the overall sentiment is negative or if issues go unresolved, consider it one of the warning signs of a bad dentist.
Modern dental technology has made treatments faster, safer, and a lot less painful.
If a clinic still relies on outdated tools like traditional X-ray machines, lacks intraoral cameras, or doesn’t use ultrasonic scalers and dental lasers, they don’t consider patient comfort and safety as a worthy investment.
Outdated methods can lead to inaccurate diagnoses, longer recovery times, and bad dental experiences. You might also end up needing extra treatments that could’ve been avoided with better tools.
So if the equipment in your chosen clinic looks like it’s from the early 2000s, it’s worth switching to a new dentist.
There’s nothing riskier than getting treated by a dentist with questionable credentials, or worse, no license at all.
Always verify that your dentist holds a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry) from a recognized institution. You can even check with your local dental board for verification.
Beyond that, watch for unprofessional behavior such as staff that’s rude, rushed, or poorly trained, or a dentist who dodges questions and hides behind unclear titles or weird acronyms.
If someone is vague about their qualifications and doesn’t treat patients with respect, leave immediately. That’s not a gamble worth taking.
Sometimes, your gut picks up on things before your brain does.
If something feels off, the clinic environment is tense, the staff seems cold, or the dentist rushes through your visit, you’re probably not imagining it.
Bad dentists often rely on urgency tactics like pushing discounts, rushing explanations, or exaggerating issues to pressure you into treatment. These aren’t signs of care but mere sales tricks.
If you feel uncomfortable, manipulated, or simply not heard, trust your instincts. You’re allowed to walk away and choose a clinic where your comfort and confidence actually matter.
Dentists can make good money from diagnostic tests, even if you don’t commit to treatment.
If your dentist keeps pushing for multiple X-rays, digital scans, or fancy imaging tools without clearly explaining why, it’s worth questioning their motives. Some dentists rely on over-testing as a sneaky upsell tactic.
One of the biggest warning signs of a bad dentist? They get defensive when you ask for a second opinion. That’s not a professional, they’re just afraid their sales pitch might fall apart.
A good dentist will use the least amount of tests necessary for a diagnosis and will welcome a second or third opinion without hesitation. Their goal is good oral health and not closing a deal.
Thanks to modern dentistry, treatments are now faster, painless, and require less maintenance than before.
If you're constantly returning for repairs or feel worse after appointments, you're not in good hands. Here are a few signs of bad dental work:
Any reputable clinic will usually hold dental records of every patient from the past several years.
If your clinic struggles to find your files every time you visit, it’s a major sign of a bad dentist. Missing or outdated records lead to poor diagnoses, repeat treatments, and overlooked issues that could escalate over time.
What’s worse is that your dental clinic might be doing this intentionally (either due to lack of technology or negligence).
Good clinics keep thorough, up-to-date records and use them to explain your treatment progress. If yours doesn’t, it’s time to find a place that takes your health more seriously.
Avoiding bad dentists gets a lot easier once you know what to look for. With the right approach, you’ll not only improve your oral health but also save money with a trustworthy professional.
Here’s how to separate the good dentists from the bad ones:
Start by verifying their qualifications. A DDS or DMD degree is a must, and additional fellowships show they’re staying updated with the latest practices.
Check Google, Zocdoc, or Healthgrades for reviews, especially for treatments you’re considering. A specialized dentist will almost always deliver better results than a generalist or oral surgeon trying to do the same job.
A good dentist won’t hesitate to walk you through your diagnosis, treatment plan, and alternatives.
They’ll encourage questions and even welcome second opinions. If they act defensive or brush you off, that’s a sign of insecurity, not expertise.
It’s smart to consult more than one clinic before committing. One dentist might quote you $500 for a root canal, while another tries to upsell you into $5,000 worth of veneers.
Look at how they explain your condition. Are they genuinely helping you or pushing high-ticket treatments?
Try to analyze who’s offering genuine advice or simply chasing after your wallet.
Trustworthy clinics are open about everything, from pricing to procedures. They display real testimonials, educate patients through brochures or videos, and create an environment where you feel heard. If a clinic keeps things dodgy or dismisses your questions, walk away.
Yes, if a dentist makes you feel rushed, judged, or uneasy, trust your gut and leave. Dental care is personal, and you’re not obligated to stick around if it doesn’t feel right. Any dentist who lacks the professionalism to create a comfortable experience for his patients should be avoided.
Watch out for confusing explanations, pushy sales tactics, or a sudden rush of expensive treatments. One of the biggest dentist red flags is being unable to clearly explain why something needs to be done or getting defensive when questioned.
Ask your friends and family members for recommendations. Great dentists don’t need to advertise and get plenty of patients through word-of-mouth. Search for clinics on Google and Zocdoc that have good ratings and lots of positive reviews. When you find a few credible clinics, feel free to walk in for a consultation and judge them based on their credentials, hygiene conditions, and transparency with treatments and pricing.
Yes, especially if the treatment sounds intense or expensive. A second opinion can save you thousands of dollars and avoid unnecessary pain. Good dentists won’t mind, as it shows you’re making an informed decision. If someone pressures you to commit right away, that’s a major dentist red flag.
At minimum, look for DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry). These are the standard degrees. If your dentist has fellowships or continued education in areas like orthodontics or cosmetic dentistry, that’s even better. Also, check for licensing with your local dental board or association.
Choosing the right dentist shouldn’t feel like a gamble. By staying informed and paying attention to the warning signs of a bad dentist, you’ll save yourself from unnecessary pain, costs, and stress.
A good dental experience starts with trust, transparency, and professionalism. So if something feels even slightly off, it’s okay to walk away and find someone who truly prioritizes your health and comfort.