Is there a polite and thorough way to request disclosures from my dentist about who is profiting from certain products or services?
<p>I had a dental appointment this morning, and the dentist (as per usual) insisted that I get an NTI night guard and a Philips Sonicare.   I politely said 'no' as I have the last 6 visits, but the insistence is starting to creep me out a bit. </p>

<p>I had a previous dentist who sold me a night guard for $500 that really messed up my jaw.  When I confronted him on why he was pushing something so hard that the insurance didn't cover (for good reason!), he flatly told me  "I don't make a dime selling night guards, this is just an option we provide to customers who would benefit."  I found this very hard to believe, - obviously there's some lack of specificity in the terms "I" and "make money" - so I let it go.   </p>

<p>So what I want now is a polite way I can ask my current dentist (or possible future dentist) a question such that they can either 1) decline to answer or 2) answer it clearly and unequivocally.     </p>

<p>EDIT: I'll try to be more specific: I want to ask my dentist : "Is Philips paying you to sell me their product?" in a way that will put them on the hook for fraud if they intentionally equivocate.   (They could say "Well, technically, I don't get paid directly by Philips, but this information is reported to the dental management company, which has a contract with Philips, and the management company gives me quarterly performance reviews which affect my salary")  If they lie, and I buy the product, and later discover that they lied, then they have committed fraud (this is my understanding.)    I'm not sure the exact form of the answer I'm looking for, but certainly reading the language of the standard conflict of interest forms is not something I'm about to do to a dentist.  </p>

<p>There is no law that helps you. The dentist is under no obligation to tell you about the business and has no duty to be honest with you about such questions. Unless you have a private agreement, for example:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Dentist: Would you like to buy a toothbrush?<br>
  You: Yes I will, but only if you do not profit from it.<br>
  Dentist: I do not profit.<br>
  You: OK, I will buy it.  </p>
</blockquote>

<p>If the dentist is lying, this would constitute fraud in the inducement, which you can research if you like. Keep in mind that your remedy is litigation.</p>

<p>The nightguard is a different question. Unnecessary appliances and procedures have their own set of consequences, but that is not your question. </p>

fraud medical