I Think My Dentist is Sponsored by Crest

I'm Jewish, you're not a dentist. You have no idea what my people have been through. Did you know we have the highest suicide rate of any profession? Not Jews, the Dentists! - Tim Whatley, Seinfeld

I went to my dentist about a month ago for the first time in about six months, there was something different. Different pictures. Where they were warning me about being "dangerously close" to getting gum disease, which would lead to my teeth coming out of my gums. In general, I brush my teeth at least twice a day and use Listerine at least three times a day. Flossing is more of a variable, but at least three times a week. I wouldn't say my teeth are perfectly white, but being "dangerously close" seems like a stretch.

What was their recommended solution? Buy Crest. Everything Crest. Crest toothpaste. Crest toothbrushes. Crest electric toothbrushes. Crest Pro Action Health. Crest Face Wash. Crest Gum. Crest Shoes. Crest Crest Crest Crest. I thought I was in the Country of Crest the way he was shoving it down my throat. Those pictures I mentioned a paragraph ago? All Crest promotions.

Maybe Crest is the best - I can't really tell. But it got me thinking - maybe my dentist is technically "sponsored" by the brand the same way athletes are sponsored by Nike, Reebok, Adidas etc. I can't figure out the terms of the agreement (some sort of monetary value and free Crest products I would assume.) While this may be the case, I would think that it would violate some kind of Dentist/Client agreement. The Dentist shouldn't be swayed monetarily towards a certain product if it is not truly the best product available for his/her client. I have no idea what's the best out there, but I really hope my dentist isn't sponsored.

I hope this is just me being skeptical of my dentist. Maybe I'm thinking too much about marketing from my classes. It just doesn't seem to make sense why this was forced upon me.