You just have to treat them like used-car salesmen and be skeptical about everyything they say you MUST have done. Wait a year, then go to a different dentist for your checkup, and he'll come up with another list of things you must have done, none of which will match what your previous dentist said. Sometimes you need work done, but you never need everything done that they say you need. I got a $3000 quote from a dentist 4 years ago for things that needed to be done. I never went back.