What's her name? <^..^>
The great thing, MC, is that there are so many who are/were in the
very same boat as you and to ease the worry and get your ducks in a row, maybe you want to say "Hi" and hear their first-hand experiences for peace of mind. Or peek at the Doctor's book. They are not "militant" and intolerant, they've all been there and I'm sure talk about the crystals as it is the most common thing, and share Dr. Hodgkins' expertise as well as their own experiences.
I know you love and trust your vet but, just as yours may know something which another may not, there are others who may likewise be "on" to things a little further, as it is their specialty, IMO it wouldn't hurt to at least hear other experiences which have worked for the entire cat, not just one thing or another.
More and more Veterianrians are seeing this Doctor's seminars in person at the Conventions and thus looking into things further and even adjusting things at their own practices accordingly (ex:phasing out the food