Dental Issues Rant

[Liberalynn]

My dentist who I saw for well over twenty years retired. He was always very easy going and gentle. He also understood all I could afford was preventive maintenance and really necessary repair work.

The staff, however, who took over the place when he retired made a mega deal out of me having to call to reschedule a week in advance. Heck I can see 24 to 48 hour notice requirement but not to let you call a week in advance to change an appointment is being a little too anal.

So I call and make an appointment with this new dentist. He tells me that I really should have veners put on my front teeth because the fillings are going to keep wearing out and that it is more than just cosmetic it is preventitive because the likelyhood of getting cavaties under the veneer is rare. The problem is it cost nearly 7,000. He did give me the option of filling the cavaties again but he says it will only be a temporary fix that will last about five years.

I am on disability. I don't want to go on Medicaid, and there is no way I can afford this.

I don't want to be a supermodel or an actress. I just want it so my teeth don't hurt, turn black or fall out. Why can't people understand that not all of us are made out of money? My old dentist did. I wish he never retired because I don't think I am going to find anyone else like him.

I suppose I can switch yet again but that is going to mean having to pay for a whole new patient checkup again etc.

Sorry to rant but I just had to let it out. I think I am turning into my mother now ranting about how much things cost. <sigh>

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. I feel for ya

I went to the same dentist all my life, since I was 3 or 4 years old. He retired when I was 45. I have dentist hopped ever since. But I did finally find a good one.

Is there a dental school nearby? They are usually lots more reasonable.

[Liberalynn]

4. I have to check

into the dental school. I think there may be one in the next town over. That's a good suggestion.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. There is a long wait to get an appointment at ours

But it is much more economical.

[Benhurst]

2. I know how you feel. The medical/dental situation in the

US sucks. It's bad enough we pay more than everyone else in the world; but our care is no longer as good as that in many countries.

[Liberalynn]

6. This Is True

Plus even when you have insurance the companies are bowing out of paying for more and more. My medical doctor wanted to prescribe a drug for me and the insurance company refused to cover it and told her she had to prescribe something else or provide tons of paper work as to why she wanted to use that particular drug.

[Shoeempress]

3. Sorry about your new dentist being an idiot. There are still great

dentists around. We have one and I recommend him to anyone who happens to mention needing a dentists. They all love him too. So ask around, you may be able to find one more easily than you realize.

[Liberalynn]

8. Thank You

I will check around. I called a friend who went to my old dentist to see who he switched to. Hopefully I will be able to find some one whose a little more understanding.

[Mrs_Beastman]

5. A good dentist is hard to find

Just found this out this year(we got an estimate for $5000 for the Beastman's teeth from some overzealous dentist)

good luck searching, may you find a nice one that takes your insurance!:hi:

[Liberalynn]

9. The cost is getting astronomical isn't it?

Thanks. I'm thinking of going for the ones who don't have huge advertisements. Maybe their more economical and down to earth.

[Mrs_Beastman]

11. Luckily, we found another dentist...

After insurance paid, it cost $13.80 to to fix the Beastman's grill(it would have come to $1000 without). There are articles all over the net about how there is no standard of diagnosis and treatment among dentists, so they all have their own style (and price!)

This site is helpful...has a good article on how to spot a good dentist.

http://www.quackwatch.org/index.html

edit...http://www.dentalwatch.org/

Again, good luck!

[Mrs_Beastman]

12. This is a snippet from an article on Dentists

Be cautious about dentists who recommend elaborate treatment plans. In 1996, a reporter on assignment for the Reader's Digest visited 50 dentists in 28 states and found that their fees, examinations, and recommendations varied widely. The visits cost from $20 to $141. The reporter brought along his own x-ray films and told the dentists he had ample insurance coverage. Before embarking on the study, the reporter was checked by four dentists who agreed that he had only one immediate problem (one molar needed filling or a crown), and that work on another tooth might be advisable. Only 12 of the dentists agreed with this appraisal, and 15 failed to note a problem with the molar. One dentist recommended crowning all of the reporter's teeth, at a cost of $13,440. Other estimates ranged from $500 to $29,850. The reporter also visited a dental school clinic where the student and a department chairman independently recommended capping both teeth, which would cost $460 <5>.



It'd crap like this that helps me to remember to floss every day.
:mad:

[Liberalynn]

13. Thank You

for the articles. They sure are a wake up call. I was so spoiled by having my good old fashioned dentist.

I too am going to be more cautious about dental care at home so I won't have to fear the cost of getting them worked on.

[nini]

10. See if there's a dental school in your area too

You can get excellent care at those with students in their last year. You'll pay by what you can afford.


as for that dentist.. to hell with him. My brother is a dentist and guys like that are one of his pet peeves. They push all kinds of unnecessary stuff just to help pay for their mercedes. If you NEED something fine, but to scare you into things you really don't need is unethical.

run from that guy.

[Liberalynn]

14. Thanks

I am going to look into the dental college and I definitely will be looking for someone more reasonable on the cost. All I want is the cavaties fixed. I think this guy thinks he is in Hollywood from the looks of his waiting room. He should have made it a little less fancy and cut down on the fee he charges instead.

It is good there are honest dentists like your brother and my old dentist who charge a fair price and are honest about what needs to be done and what dosen't.

[trof]

15. My "former" dentist...

Every time I'd go in..."These filling are old. "We" need to replace them."
"Tell you what. When they give me a problem, I'll get 'em replaced."

That was about 6 years ago.
The fillings are still fine.

[Liberalynn]

16. That's the way

I feel. Unless it is necessary to prevent pain or infection, I can't see going through all that dental work and spending money on something that isn't really needed.

Heck the stuff my old dentist worked on has lasted for years.