Because they can charge $40-$80 (or more) for a fluoride treatment. It's actually how they make money on cleanings. If you don't opt for the fluoride treatment it's a wash.

> they can charge $40-$80 (or more) for a fluoride treatment. It's actually how they make money on cleanings

This is nonsense. Many dentists, mine included, don’t apply fluoride. (They trust you to use toothpaste.)

It's not nonsense. Perhaps many don't, but most ask (at least where I am). They literally ask you when you go in for a cleaning if you want fluoride and then charge you. My current dentist charges $40. My last dentist (Orange County) charged $80, which was a total scam place I only went to once.

Hell, my dentist doesn't ask: they just assume I want it ($80, SF bay area) unless I tell them otherwise.

I'm honestly kinda meh on my dentist, but getting me to go to the dentist at all is a slog (and I very much appreciate that they make me a new appointment for next time while I'm still there); the idea of expending the effort to find a new dentist feels paralyzing.

I end up just letting them do it. My teeth aren't exactly in the best shape. Unclear if the fluoride treatment actually does all that much, but it certainly doesn't hurt, and I don't want to look back when I'm older and regret not spending $160/yr for better teeth. I'd much rather look back and regret (but in reality not particularly care) that I wasted $160/yr.

Some years ago, maybe 25, no dentists in the USA applied fluoride. Yet somehow they stayed in business.

I don't think it's inconceivable that the economics of running a dental practice have changed over that time period.

My old dentist would give me a pump of it and have me swish for a minute. Billed insurance $20. Insurance always said "$5," then they "forgave" the rest, probably because I'd be asking some questions about how that costs them $20.

I think that's something else, just a fluoridated mouthwash? At my dentist it's something they "paint" on my teeth with a q-tip, and then tell me not to eat or drink for a few hours.

And fluoride treatments likely don't do much. The main benefit of fluoride is from ingestion by children, while their teeth are forming.

That is absolutely not true. Flouride varnish helps prevent cavities and remineralize enamel in all ages.

Here's a meta analysis for you: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK401516/

It's the exact opposite

There are no benefits from ingestion - it's actually harmful and linked to a series of terrible stuff (cognitive development issues and neurological problems in primis). The only benefits are from topical application.

Source: my parents fed me fluoride pills for my entire childhood

I’ve never heard of fluoride treatment. I never had it, I don’t think that’s common in Europe.

I was referring to fluoride in water and toothpaste.