Anaesthetic optional
October 26, 2013 3:17 PM Subscribe
Have a nagging cavity but don't have the time or money to see a dentist? Luckily for you, there's DentiDrill. See the promotional video.
Facebook page, and more here.
Facebook page, and more here.
Is it safe?
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 3:21 PM on October 26, 2013 [30 favorites]
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 3:21 PM on October 26, 2013 [30 favorites]
This has to be a comment on the lack of good dental care for poor people in the US, right? ... right?
posted by BungaDunga at 3:23 PM on October 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by BungaDunga at 3:23 PM on October 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
This has to be a comment on the lack of good dental care for poor people in the US, right? ... right?
Think they're poor now? Soon they'll be indentured.
posted by hal9k at 3:29 PM on October 26, 2013 [27 favorites]
Think they're poor now? Soon they'll be indentured.
posted by hal9k at 3:29 PM on October 26, 2013 [27 favorites]
The Facebook comments are beautiful:
Fed up with those sky-high neurosurgeon's bills? You need new Skullomatic, the battery-powered cranial saw that lets you perform life-saving brain surgery on friends, family and even yourself, without the unnecessary expense and inconvenience of an actual operating theatre.
Guys leave dentidrill alone. You're all just mad dentists who are worried about losing business when this thing revolutionizes the dental industryposted by BungaDunga at 3:30 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Sorry, wait. You're saying this is real?
posted by bicyclefish at 3:31 PM on October 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by bicyclefish at 3:31 PM on October 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
Guys, I can't take it seriously due to the kerning on world's, forget the rest of it.
posted by Windigo at 3:39 PM on October 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Windigo at 3:39 PM on October 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
I'll buy it and then they'll come out with DentiDrill 2.0 and everybody will start drooling for that.
posted by hal9k at 3:40 PM on October 26, 2013
posted by hal9k at 3:40 PM on October 26, 2013
Really, the widespread lack of dental insurance and the high cost of dental care in the US has created a serious problem. The only viable answer for most people without dental insurance is to go to a nearby dental school. But there aren't that many dental schools in the US, actually, so for many people that's not an option.
This seems crazy, but it's not quite so crazy when you compare it to the alternative of just letting teeth rot away, which aside from the obvious, also can lead to life-threatening infection. I'd think this was a great idea if I could be assured that people wouldn't risk various worse complications from doing it wrong, unrecognized more serious problems made worse, infection from poor sanitation, and similar problems.
This really is an emerging public health problem in the US. For example, Medicaid covers some dental work, but I met one special education teacher in Texas who had a number of students who had badly rotting teeth because even though they were covered by Medicaid, there were no dentists in the area who would take Medicaid.
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 3:47 PM on October 26, 2013 [7 favorites]
This seems crazy, but it's not quite so crazy when you compare it to the alternative of just letting teeth rot away, which aside from the obvious, also can lead to life-threatening infection. I'd think this was a great idea if I could be assured that people wouldn't risk various worse complications from doing it wrong, unrecognized more serious problems made worse, infection from poor sanitation, and similar problems.
This really is an emerging public health problem in the US. For example, Medicaid covers some dental work, but I met one special education teacher in Texas who had a number of students who had badly rotting teeth because even though they were covered by Medicaid, there were no dentists in the area who would take Medicaid.
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 3:47 PM on October 26, 2013 [7 favorites]
Strangely enough this is also marketed in the Netherlands? WTF?
If this isn't satire, I'm sure it's illegal over here, though who knows what's possible in a country with more flexible health and safety laws like the US.
posted by MartinWisse at 3:55 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
If this isn't satire, I'm sure it's illegal over here, though who knows what's possible in a country with more flexible health and safety laws like the US.
posted by MartinWisse at 3:55 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Wouldn't it be nice if people with mere 2 year dental hygiene degrees could operate independently, and save the highly trained dentists for extreme situations? You know, like in most other countries?
posted by miyabo at 3:55 PM on October 26, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by miyabo at 3:55 PM on October 26, 2013 [6 favorites]
This has to be a comment on the lack of good dental care for poor people in the US, right? ... right?
It's ostensibly being marketed to the Netherlanders as well, which seems a little odd. Does explain all the Dutch (and German) hits when you Google dentidrill hoax
People with hand tremors should avoid operating the unit.
That's good advice, Tex!
posted by IndigoJones at 3:56 PM on October 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
It's ostensibly being marketed to the Netherlanders as well, which seems a little odd. Does explain all the Dutch (and German) hits when you Google dentidrill hoax
People with hand tremors should avoid operating the unit.
That's good advice, Tex!
posted by IndigoJones at 3:56 PM on October 26, 2013 [2 favorites]
People with hand tremors should avoid operating the unit.
Goes smoother after the initial feeling of trepanation.
posted by hal9k at 4:03 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Goes smoother after the initial feeling of trepanation.
posted by hal9k at 4:03 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
So is that a Dutch accent the narrator has? This feels like an SNL bit, a bit like the disposable toilet ad.
posted by monkeymadness at 4:04 PM on October 26, 2013
posted by monkeymadness at 4:04 PM on October 26, 2013
This is just another way to arm medically-themed serial killers in time for Halloween.
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:15 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by GenjiandProust at 4:15 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
This really is an emerging public health problem in the US.
Maybe some of us here will be around to savor the irony when, years from now, a dentist in a British cartoon frightens a child into getting braces by displaying The Big Book of American Smiles.
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:27 PM on October 26, 2013 [10 favorites]
Maybe some of us here will be around to savor the irony when, years from now, a dentist in a British cartoon frightens a child into getting braces by displaying The Big Book of American Smiles.
posted by Greg_Ace at 4:27 PM on October 26, 2013 [10 favorites]
From the 'more here' link:
The DentiDrill website domain owner shares the same address as the Kentucky Dental Association.
posted by The River Ivel at 4:58 PM on October 26, 2013
The DentiDrill website domain owner shares the same address as the Kentucky Dental Association.
posted by The River Ivel at 4:58 PM on October 26, 2013
This is the greatest invention since Mr. Colonoscope...
And totally serious, too.
posted by Fists O'Fury at 5:15 PM on October 26, 2013
And totally serious, too.
posted by Fists O'Fury at 5:15 PM on October 26, 2013
What if I just want to buy the lidocaine? Are there, like, "refill" sets? I have a bunch of free weekends coming up.
posted by Capt. Renault at 5:24 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Capt. Renault at 5:24 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Maybe some of us here will be around to savor the irony when, years from now, a dentist in a British cartoon frightens a child into getting braces by displaying The Big Book of American Smiles.
Based on my recent contacts with low-income people over 40 here in California, we've already got England beat.
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:27 PM on October 26, 2013
Based on my recent contacts with low-income people over 40 here in California, we've already got England beat.
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:27 PM on October 26, 2013
Don't some third world countries without regulation have "amateur" dentists (well, accepting a small sum) who fill the niche for the poor people? I wonder if black market medical/dental services are in the U.S.'s future, especially if federal and state governments start circling the drain and funding for enforcement dwindles. And by "dwindles", well, the money will probably continue to be endless for homeland security and drug busts, but I'm not sure who exactly would start going after black market dentists, especially if they run an elusive storefront.
posted by crapmatic at 6:55 PM on October 26, 2013
posted by crapmatic at 6:55 PM on October 26, 2013
Medicaid covers some dental work
And Medicare doesn't cover any dental; you'd need a separate supplemental plan that you paid for out-of-pocket.
posted by Room 641-A at 7:40 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
And Medicare doesn't cover any dental; you'd need a separate supplemental plan that you paid for out-of-pocket.
posted by Room 641-A at 7:40 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Yes, I know. I'm on Medicare. Although I have a Humana Medicare Advantage plan with very rudimentary dental. One annual cleaning and one filling, or something like that.
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 8:31 PM on October 26, 2013
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 8:31 PM on October 26, 2013
I'm for real having dental surgery next Friday (bone implants, oh yeah) and I will be certainly be showing this to my dentist. As he teaches classes, I am going to insist he shows this to his students. That will be the only funny thing about the entire experience.
posted by angrycat at 8:35 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by angrycat at 8:35 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
And yeah, I have Medicare. Guess how much I'm spending for the medically necessary implants? Over 3 K. Good job, safety net!
posted by angrycat at 8:36 PM on October 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by angrycat at 8:36 PM on October 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
It's possible to acknowledge that most people lack adequate access to dental care (and that the situation is getting worse) and still be horrified at the prospect of do it yourself dentistry. That's just too much responsibility to put on poor Mom or Dad, or even drunken uncle Cletus. (No matter how much he wants to do it.) One slip while attempting to help the wriggling, struggling child (no way would they just lie down and take it like the kid in the video), and a money saving opportunity could quickly become a DIY tongue piercing and a trip to the emergency room.
posted by Kevin Street at 8:58 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Kevin Street at 8:58 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
Also, if they want to sell this to preppers, they'll need a hand crank or foot-pedal powered option.
posted by Kevin Street at 9:08 PM on October 26, 2013
posted by Kevin Street at 9:08 PM on October 26, 2013
monkeymadness, I didn't hear much of an accent, so I assume that means that the accent is indeed Dutch.
posted by Too-Ticky at 5:01 AM on October 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Too-Ticky at 5:01 AM on October 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
The only viable answer for most people without dental insurance is to go to a nearby dental school. But there aren't that many dental schools in the US, actually, so for many people that's not an option.
Unfortunately, a lot of dental schools have gotten wise to this and started raising their prices. I contacted the closest such school to me (still over an hour's drive) and their prices weren't much lower than a regular dentist. Plus, they were very limited in how often they saw patients.
fwiw, I've noticed the explosion in dentist prices seemed to coincide with the arrival of CareCredit brochures in the offices. Before Care Credit came along, and since most health insurance policies didn't include dental (it was usually a very expensive add-on) dentists had a good incentive to keep their services reasonably affordable. With CareCredit, now dentists simply hand you a brochure and ask you to pick a payment plan.
But, there's no way in hell I'm drilling on my family's teeth myself.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:08 AM on October 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
Unfortunately, a lot of dental schools have gotten wise to this and started raising their prices. I contacted the closest such school to me (still over an hour's drive) and their prices weren't much lower than a regular dentist. Plus, they were very limited in how often they saw patients.
fwiw, I've noticed the explosion in dentist prices seemed to coincide with the arrival of CareCredit brochures in the offices. Before Care Credit came along, and since most health insurance policies didn't include dental (it was usually a very expensive add-on) dentists had a good incentive to keep their services reasonably affordable. With CareCredit, now dentists simply hand you a brochure and ask you to pick a payment plan.
But, there's no way in hell I'm drilling on my family's teeth myself.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:08 AM on October 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
Yeah the 3k I'm spending is at a dental school. It has a great reputation, I'm getting good care, but it is not low cost.
posted by angrycat at 8:08 AM on October 27, 2013
posted by angrycat at 8:08 AM on October 27, 2013
Perfect for all ages, the DentiDrill is fast, safe - and easy to use. Your whole family will love it!
I just... I... gah.
posted by flabdablet at 9:40 AM on October 27, 2013
I just... I... gah.
posted by flabdablet at 9:40 AM on October 27, 2013
they'll need a hand crank or foot-pedal powered option
I once visited an endontist who had an old photo taken in China of a patient sitting outside, with his dentist drilling him with a foot-powered unit. He'da been happy with the DentiDrill.
I can imagine home dentistry but it won't be this hand-held DIY -- instead, you'll sit down in a chair like those blood-pressure checkers at the drug store, but instead of leaning foreward, you'll lean back. Relax, open your mouth, and swing this whole unit into position, biting down on it slightly until the green light comes on.
posted by Rash at 12:54 PM on October 27, 2013
I once visited an endontist who had an old photo taken in China of a patient sitting outside, with his dentist drilling him with a foot-powered unit. He'da been happy with the DentiDrill.
I can imagine home dentistry but it won't be this hand-held DIY -- instead, you'll sit down in a chair like those blood-pressure checkers at the drug store, but instead of leaning foreward, you'll lean back. Relax, open your mouth, and swing this whole unit into position, biting down on it slightly until the green light comes on.
posted by Rash at 12:54 PM on October 27, 2013
It goes nicely with the beauty kit for little girls.
posted by sonascope at 1:07 PM on October 27, 2013
posted by sonascope at 1:07 PM on October 27, 2013
The WHOIS information for these websites is interesting. The US site is (apparently) registered at the same address as the Kentucky Dental Association.
Its .nl counterpart, though, is apparently registered to Quadrata, a home decoration store, which also brings you http://www.mooiaandemuur.com.
posted by Ms. Next at 1:29 PM on October 27, 2013
Its .nl counterpart, though, is apparently registered to Quadrata, a home decoration store, which also brings you http://www.mooiaandemuur.com.
posted by Ms. Next at 1:29 PM on October 27, 2013
Is dentistry not covered in the Netherlands?
I was wondering if it was covered under Obamacare and I came up with this. Wheels within wheels....
posted by IndigoJones at 3:33 PM on October 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
I was wondering if it was covered under Obamacare and I came up with this. Wheels within wheels....
posted by IndigoJones at 3:33 PM on October 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
Recently, in Vancouver, a man was practicing unlicensed dentistry from the basement of his home. When he became the focus of official attention due to complaints from unhappy customers, he went on the lam. Don't know if they've caught him yet. Anyway, he might be the kind of customer this product is aimed at -- assuming it's not a joke. (And it must be. The drugs and supplies are monitored items. You can't buy them unless you are a practicing healthcare person. West Europe would be more stringent on this than North America, I think.)
posted by CCBC at 3:35 PM on October 27, 2013
posted by CCBC at 3:35 PM on October 27, 2013
Does it come with an X-Ray machine so I can a) determine if I have cavities b) determine that they can be filled and c) find them before I start drilling?
posted by butterstick at 4:11 PM on October 27, 2013
posted by butterstick at 4:11 PM on October 27, 2013
fwiw, I've noticed the explosion in dentist prices seemed to coincide with the arrival of CareCredit brochures in the offices. Before Care Credit came along, and since most health insurance policies didn't include dental (it was usually a very expensive add-on) dentists had a good incentive to keep their services reasonably affordable. With CareCredit, now dentists simply hand you a brochure and ask you to pick a payment plan.
While I agree that that's a good half the reason for the prices going up (and in fact just had to get one of these plans because my root canal is going to cost more than if they just filled my mouth with gold coins), the other side of that is, dentists are getting way too fancy. My endodontist's new office is sleek, modern, and every inch of it is pre-designed. There are two to three personal touches--planned well in advance, I think--and the rest of it is so tightly nailed down to a certain brushed-metal-and-dark-woods aesthetic that it had to have cost a fortune to put in place...and that's before you even make it to the fancy treatment rooms with their operating microscopes, multiple computers, frosted glass.... I think this kind of office must put practitioners in a bind, because how do you pay it off, without jacking up prices and shoe-horning in as many patients as possible? And I imagine there isn't as much room to shoe-horn, if your main procedure takes 2-3 hours per patient.
posted by mittens at 6:12 PM on October 27, 2013
While I agree that that's a good half the reason for the prices going up (and in fact just had to get one of these plans because my root canal is going to cost more than if they just filled my mouth with gold coins), the other side of that is, dentists are getting way too fancy. My endodontist's new office is sleek, modern, and every inch of it is pre-designed. There are two to three personal touches--planned well in advance, I think--and the rest of it is so tightly nailed down to a certain brushed-metal-and-dark-woods aesthetic that it had to have cost a fortune to put in place...and that's before you even make it to the fancy treatment rooms with their operating microscopes, multiple computers, frosted glass.... I think this kind of office must put practitioners in a bind, because how do you pay it off, without jacking up prices and shoe-horning in as many patients as possible? And I imagine there isn't as much room to shoe-horn, if your main procedure takes 2-3 hours per patient.
posted by mittens at 6:12 PM on October 27, 2013
Is dentistry not covered in the Netherlands?
For kids it is, which makes it so absurd to see a demo video with a Dutch guy and his kid. Adults need additional coverage for dental work, which usually has a low maximum yearly payout (a couple of hundred euros typically, unless you have some kind of expensive luxury package, in which case you usually need very healthy teeth to get in).
posted by Ms. Next at 7:21 PM on October 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
For kids it is, which makes it so absurd to see a demo video with a Dutch guy and his kid. Adults need additional coverage for dental work, which usually has a low maximum yearly payout (a couple of hundred euros typically, unless you have some kind of expensive luxury package, in which case you usually need very healthy teeth to get in).
posted by Ms. Next at 7:21 PM on October 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
So, they admitted it was fake. It was for a Dutch dental care company - ixorg.
posted by unliteral at 2:53 PM on October 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by unliteral at 2:53 PM on October 28, 2013 [1 favorite]
That's another pack of pricks off my might even consider ever buying anything from those people ever under any circumstances list then.
posted by flabdablet at 4:17 PM on October 28, 2013
posted by flabdablet at 4:17 PM on October 28, 2013
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