Dentists are the new Scheisters

I remember moving back from Europe and being amazed at the American obsession with teeth whitening. Which brings me to the following: I cracked my bonding on my front tooth, went to a new dentist who said he could not fix it and proceeded to tell me I need porcelain veneers. I kept asking him how much it would cost and he said the office manager would get the numbers to me, but first sit back and watch a video on the wonders of transforming your smile (and love life) with razor-thin porcelain veneers. He then pointed out how flawed my teeth were and what he would do to make me look better. Bottom line: after a a nice chat with the office manager, the total cost was $8000.oo. Now I ask you, who has $8000.00 in this economy for a better smile? I left the office gap-toothed, defeated and dazed.