Remember that dentist appointment Rick had?
Well, well, well, did we find things out and it's not pretty.
The last dentist Rick went to he was given a cleaning and had X-rays.
He was then given an itemized list of things that he needed to get done.
As Rick does with anything he put it off for 18 months.
When I called to see if he could get in now to alleviate his pain they said in late March.
Then she spent time reprimanding me because he hasn't been there in 18 months. I didn't need that or appreciate it. I ignored her berating of me like I was a child.
I also found out they no longer work past 4p and do not do weekends.
Now only 9-4 except Wednesday 9-1. That isn't going to work for his schedule. I thanked her and said we may need to find another solution since this doesn't work for his schedule. She didn't say, Okay or anything she just hung up.
I asked Rick if he would mind seeing another dentist? He did not care.
Now he was having a toothache and his breath was bad.
Being a nice wife, I told him if he wanted to be kissed he better get his teeth fixed because his breath was bad no matter how many times he brushed and flossed. I know that was mean. But it made him go to the dentist so it worked.
The appointment yesterday was only going to be cleaning and X-rays since it was 18 months ago he did this. Also because it was a new dentist.
Then because I knew they would find issues we made an appointment for Thursday to do any type of work needed.
The itemized list from the last dentist 18 months ago was over 2 grand.
I was hoping we could just get some of the work done at least.
His appointment was supposed to be for a cleaning and x-rays.
Rick got in early as I mentioned because it was a snow day and they had cancellations. The appointment after the one he was at was supposed to be Rick so they asked, "While you're here and we've got the time would you like to fix it all?" He said absolutely.
Everything that was done on Monday was a total of $112.00 after insurance.
Cleaned his teeth, x-rays, cavity fixed, fixed a chip on a tooth and ground down something or another. (the chip was a composite I think it was called)
While the total was $518 or close to that we paid $112.00 after insurance - far cry from 2,000 + isn't it?
He asked the dentist, "What about my cracked crown? And the loose one?" The dentist told him he had neither.
The dentist showed him the X-rays and said there was no crack.
She went back in his mouth and went to his crowns along with the assistant/hygienist and they found none that were loose.
The Dr asked him if he was having any issues with that.
No, but I was told I had these problems and they had to be addressed.
The Dr. then asked if he touches it with his tongue does it feel loose?
All these types of questions. Rick kept saying no to them all.
The nice new Dr told him there were no cracks or loose crowns or I'd fix them. She said you just had this big bad cavity and we got that taken care of so you are all set. That was it.
Then they set him up with a 6-month appointment for his next cleaning.
So how does one go from over 2K to $112?
1. Was the first dentist wrong and just trying to rip him off?
2. Was the 2nd dentist wrong and perhaps wasn't a good dentist and missed it?
We both feel strongly that it's probably and sadly number 1.
When he came home and told me that he had the work done so cancel Thursday's appointment I thought he was crazy. How can that be?
He liked this new office. He liked the new dentist very much.
He and I both just keep wondering if something was missed?
Or were we just being screwed by the first dental office?
What do you think?
20 comments:
Number 1. I think you should call the first one back and tell her what you think. Then turn him/her into the ama or whatever.
If all those things were wrong, 2K would not have been all that bad a price. A cap can be 1K all by itself. Add in a root canal for 800 and things add up fast.
I'm having a post put in right now. It's a 6 month to year-long process that's going to be over 5K after it's all done. One f**king tooth. But it's in a spot that needs that kind of work.
I was given one of those treatment plans. Could my teeth be straighter, yes. But do I need all my fillings redone, braces and then veneers? Even in ideal world is it worth my time and effort to get perfect choppers at my age? I say absolutely not. I have other things to do with my time and money.
I don't know if the first dentist is a natural born perfectionist who wishes he lived and worked in Hollywood or a scam artist, but I would stick with the second dentist.
And if Rick likes him, he is more apt to keep regular appointments. Maybe.
Mike, you are correct because my root canal years ago was almost 2 and my crown was around 1800 so we get that. But since nothing was wrong with him.
Olga - that was one of the things - removing old cavities because they are metal and that is no longer considered the way to go. He didn't care, no one is looking inside his mouth. They are not loose, they don't need to be removed and redone in porcelain. But the loose stuff and cracks were an outright lie. Rick liked HER a lot. I showed him her picture from her website. When he got there he said there was no way he'd have recognized her with the mask, hair in ponytail, a shield and these magnifying glasses with a light.. She is drop dead gorgeous in her photo but he didn't see it. But he said she was great with the novocaine shot and she was kind, thorough and he will be using her from now on. He and I feel the same as you, at our age, what is the point.
The first dentist was just padding the bill. I had massive amounts of dental work done that took almost 2 years (which included months of healing in between procedures), details not necessary nor the expense which was considerable since we don't have dental coverage beyond an annual check-up and x-rays. BUT - any dental work needed to preserve teeth, bite etc is worth the cost any any age, younger the better, because it will only get worse with time and it affects your general health. I was 71 when I had all that work done, of course if I had been going to the dentist on a regular basis before that most of it could have been avoided *sigh*
Grace, agreed about the sooner. I go every 6 months. It costs me nothing to get a cleaning and X-rays. Dental health that is not cosmetic is certainly important because it as you said, affects your overall health.
It seems that the first dentist was really trying to screw Rick. It's good that he changed dentists. I experienced such a thing when the dentist decided to change things with what she wanted to do and the price would be higher then what first she said. I got off the chair, told her how I felt and left. My new dentist is honest and a much better person. Good job Peg.
Cruisin Paul
We had a dentist once, who "invented" things that needed to be fixed. Glad Rick found himself a good dentist this time!
Don't you just hate it when someone gets on you about something your husband isn't or is doing? Like we really have that kind of control over another person, even a spouse. And how did that woman even know that you hadn't been trying all along to get him to see the dentist?
Hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Seems like Rick would know if he had a crack or a loose crown, so I'm thinking that option 1 is your answer. You have to really be proactive with these dentists!
And why was dentist #1 office reprimanding YOU for Ricks 18-month lapse?? He's a grown man, and you're not his mama.
Thanks Paul.
Jean, yes like I can control Rick. I was so angry so I decided to hold my tongue because I feared what I might say to her.
Abby, I am not his mama. I should have given her his cell so she could continue her tirade at him and not me. That wouldn't have fixed him.
For sure go with the new. She fixed him, he is no longer in pain and I am sure he smells better. Also he will probably go back without any hassle in 6 mo.
I had one like the first one and his estimate 40 years ago was $4000. I told him I didn't have any Hollywood offers and just wanted to be able to eat comfortably and not scare anyone when I smiled. Found another right away.
Patti, yes he is kissable again. I loved your line of no Hollywood offers. Because my teeth were moving again I had a dentist tell me to just get all caps. They widdle down your own teeth to picks and then cap them. No thanks. I will keep my crooked teeth. I still smile and if someone doesn't like it they can go pound salt as my mom used to say.
Sadly I'm sure it is #1 too!
My daughter has Medi-cal right now and went to the only approved dentist, Western Dental who basically told her her gums were so bad her teeth were going to fall out and she had 8 cavities. Since she didn't feel comfortable there I told her we could just put it on my care credit card at the regular dentist. They told her she had 5 cavities and that her gums weren't that bad at all. She got it all taken care of in one day too.
Julie, good job!! What the hell is with dentists?
Dentist #1 is trying to rip you off. Or rather rip your insurance off. It's sad. There are more than a few of those out there. When you have good insurance some of the less scrupulous will pad the bill as much as they can.
I have had a dentist like that, too. He predicted that one of my front teeth, which died when I was 17, was just going to "SNAP RIGHT OFF!" 25 times. I swear. Kept using the same phrase and trying to make me sign a paper 'right away!' so he could take care of it.
I told him I needed to think about it. That was 27 years ago. Tooth still hasn't snapped off.
Ami, do they learn this in dental school? I have had so many issues with dentists the last few years. We need em and they know it! Good for you for being smart enough to not fall for that tooth snapping off!
Unfortunately, I think it is number 1 as well. Kyle's old dentist seem to find something every time we took him in and it was getting pretty ridiculous but being newbie parents, we thought OK since you are the expert. We finally had enough and took him to a new place and he hasn't had any problems. So infuriatng. I am glad it all worked out for you and Rick.
Mr Shife, I have had issues with dentists but I am still shocked at how many of you have the same thing happen to you. Sickening.
Rick's experience is not new. If I were to give anyone advice on choosing a dental office, I would have to say do not go to a corporate dental office, although that's not always true.... It sounds like he found a Dentist that truly cares about the patient, and not so interested in "creating" work in order to make their production goals. I can tell you from experience that there are lots of folks out there that need work, there's really no need to burden someone who doesn't need it. :-(
Y= I don't even know what a dental corporate office would be. So there are chains? Thankfully I am unaware of them. My favorite dentists have been the owner who is my dentist. But my last horrific experience may have been what you describe and hence the lousy service from office to the dentist. She had no control. But he is back to a woman who owns the practice and does her own work. He left her a glowing review. Everything about his experience and he mentioned the office staff was excellent. Neither of us has had that in a long time. I found a new dentist
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