re: dentists - the resurgence of wealthy

There's really no way to infuse ethics into those without ethics. As a patient, there are a couple things you can do. If anything seems questionable, get a second opinion. If the second opinion is vastly different, don't let it slide - call out the first dentist on it. Call the state board, explain, and ask what's up. Go to a dentist with an intraoral camera, and when he diagnoses a problem, ask him to show you and explain.