Welcome to KnowYourDentist.co.nz, the site where I expose the truth about the dental industry in New Zealand. My name is David Crowther, and this is my unfiltered take on an industry that often prioritizes profit over patients. If you’re tired of being misled or overcharged by your dentist, or if you want to know which dentists and clinics actually care about their patients, you’ve come to the right place.
Addressing the Obvious Criticism
Let me save you the trouble: I know what some of you are thinking. “Don’t listen to this guy. He’s just angry and bitter because of his personal failures.”
You’re absolutely correct. I am angry, and I am bitter. But here’s the thing: that doesn’t make me wrong. So if that’s your takeaway, feel free to fuck off and get your teeth drilled unnecessarily. To those of you who are still here, welcome. You’re exactly who I built this site for.
Who I Am and Why I Built This Site
I’ve spent a significant part of my life pursuing careers in health. I graduated from pharmacy school in 2004, then went on to dental school, graduating from the prestigious Otago Dental School in 2011. Eight years of university. What a waste. If I’d known how it would all end, I’d have just stayed in bed.
At the time, I was drawn to the idea of helping people, the pride of making an honest living, and the status of being a health professional. Unfortunately, my journey was derailed by drug addiction, which cost me both careers. Addiction is a health problem, something the Pharmacy Council and Dental Council of New Zealand claim to understand. But instead of support, I was punished, judged, and ultimately destroyed professionally.
What hurt even more was realizing that dentistry isn’t the noble profession I thought it was. Too often, dentists prioritize profits over patients, engaging in dishonest or exploitative practices that erode trust in the entire field. That realization killed any love I had for the work and left me questioning why I pursued it so relentlessly in the first place.
This website is born from that disillusionment and bitterness, but it’s fueled by purpose. My life has been shaped by a series of injustices, some of my own making, but many at the hands of a system designed to exploit. I’ve been judged, punished, and abandoned, but I refuse to stay silent. This is my way of holding the industry accountable.
What You’ll Find Here
- The Directory: A comprehensive, independent directory that ranks and assesses all dentists and dental practices in New Zealand. Each dentist and clinic is evaluated across key categories, such as:
- Training
- Trustworthiness
- Professionalism
- Gentleness
No dentist can pay for a better ranking. This is an honest resource designed to empower consumers.
- Dodgy Dentists: A dedicated section of the directory where I expose the worst offenders, those who engage in unethical practices, overcharge for unnecessary treatments, or exploit their patients and staff.
- Guidance for Consumers: Tips and advice on how to avoid being exploited by dentists, choose the right care, and understand the dental procedures you might encounter.
- Support for Ethical Dentists: I know most dentists won’t like what I have to say, but I also know there are a few who feel as frustrated as I do about the state of the industry. For those dentists, and for new graduates looking to avoid exploitation, I want to offer resources and solidarity.
Why This Site Is Personal
This isn’t just about exposing bad dentistry, it’s about my life. My career was destroyed, my resources drained, and my ability to care for my special needs son undermined by the very system that’s supposed to protect people. I’ve seen the lack of accountability, the fake concern, and the relentless exploitation by consulting companies, dental suppliers, and organizations who only care about profits.
I’ve lived through it, and I’ve had enough. This is my way of fighting back.
A Vision for Change
My goal is simple: to create a dental industry where patients are respected, dentists are held accountable, and ethical care is the standard, not the exception. If you share that vision, this site is for you. If you don’t, feel free to trust a broken system and deal with the consequences.
To those who are still here, let’s empower consumers, support ethical dentists, and make informed choices the norm.