This is one of the rare pieces of advice few people get. You can tell the professional in the room "Your idea is stupid and I as a paying customer do not want that." It's amazing how many people concede to the request.
The only place I can't get away with it is a dentist. They love giving x-rays...because apparently that helps with scaling.
if its in the US, its probably that once you have the machine, and the tech, the cost of time and materials is probably less than 5 dollars, but they can bill the insurance $50-100. So they do it as often as they can, which under most insurance is covered one or twice a year. I could imagine it helping plan treatment for cavities, but for scaling? I doubt it...
They can feel cavities with their scaling tools. That's like half the reason why they train in school. They don't need a damn x-ray to do that. And they all say "We will not continue unless we do an x-ray" which just floors me. How is shooting x-rays in my skull even remotely healthy for my brain? I get we can tolerate x-rays, but jesus every damn time I switch dental practices or minimum once per year?
The only place I can't get away with it is a dentist. They love giving x-rays...because apparently that helps with scaling.