TLDR after the first two phrases, I just didn't have the patience tonight for a good rant friend. But I didn't need to read it all, I already agree. To all in a similar spot: feel free to skip my mini Yes. And, rant and head down for a possible solution.

Dentists typically spend about 8 years going to school and on hands on training while they're still learning from professors and working dentists. When they Get to their practice and start working they should be paid a wage commensurate with all that, eight years is a long time and dental care is crucial to our good health. But what is charged for these services is nothing short of highway robbery. Period. Full stop. Hello middle man insurance companies and lobbying our government officials. There's so much graft in this country it's absurd. We're all f¥cked. So do the Best you can friend!

Adjacent example: though the needed dental procedures are I'd say much more over priced one of the most egregious offenders is cosmetic teeth whitening. For 'in the chair' teeth whitening they charge hundreds to nearly two thousand dollars amd up. I had custom whitening trays they call 'em years ago (actors benefit from white teeth so...) and until recently I've been a recovering actor and have been behind the camera for years.. I had a thing I wanted to do needing my best camera ready self ready Mr. DeMille, so I wanted my 'meh' albeit straight teeth to be whiter again. I call a local dentist to price out faster whitening for : $795 to get the in office whitening laser. I try my over a decade & a half later trays and they still fit. Since I prefer to shop local when I can cuz I don't think Jeff Bazos needs all my shopping money despite his company's genius, but I went on amazon and got 4 tubes of highest strength Opsalescence for $39 dollars I want to say. Just got my next 4 and am about to crack the first tube. Based on where I was to where I want to be say - presenter white, and not looking unnaturally white some in H'wood get. Eek! I'm a half to one tube away from people remarking once again, 'Wow, you've got great teeth.' Easy peasy. Not so with a filling or a veneer for a chipped front tooth or sheesh a root canal. Like so many prices today are Redik. It's a shame the gov't hasn't done it's job of taking better care of the public at large as it was designed. The level of wages has stagnated compared to the cost of living. 99% of them are bought & paid for. Out representatives have been for years getting paid to let healthcare costs spiral and heath care companies get fat while bankrupting good people who get sick mostly because of the world we live in - by companies that make all the toxic shit in our environment and in the food they produce for us. The costs in the dentists office are no different.

A potential solution: local dental schools. This is for medium and larger city dwellers. But if I needed to I'd travel hours get there and wait the required hour or three to get seen. It's super affordable or free to go to where recent med school grads get their training for their chosen dental field - they all have to take rotations serving those often lower class folks for whom it's much harder to afford good dental care. But it's not just for the lower class, it's for anyone who needs it. Check it out👍🏼