Question by mrzbadabing: IS MY DENTIST SCAMMING ME?
ok so let me start from the beginning. When I was 16 I went to the dentist for the first time in like 10 years due to not having any health insurance. Went to see a dentist and was told I needed like 8 fillings between my teeth which was caused but not flossing all the time. (wah!). So anyways had all them filled. Once I turned 18 they cut off my medical. I went to college and one of my fillings cracked. Talked to my previous dentist and he offered to fix it for me for free since I wasnt covered. He didnt take xrays though. I went on with life. This was in Dec 2006. In Oct 2008 finally received dental from my employee and scheduled an appt with a dentist my friend recommended me to go. He takes xrays and tells me i need 10 fillings, and a root canal from that broken filling i had b4 which wasnt hurting me ever since. Of course i wanted to trust him and went with all the procedures even though it cost me a fortune. One thing that got to me was how he kept asking his assistants “HOW MUCH MONEY I HAVE LEFT IN MY INSURANCE”. from all that work done he already had maxed out my insurance. hmm. Now I havent been to him since May 2009 because since i cut hrs from work i no longer had insuance. Just couple weeks ago one of the fillings HE worked on cracked. I went back to fix it and i find out i still had dental because i was eligible with the amount of hrs i work. He finds out I did and asked his ppl again “how much she got in her insurance” “she has 1500 left sir” and then he tells me the tooth he just fixed had a huge filling and needs a crown. WTF! then ok just that day im flossing a tooth that was the same tooth that was just fixed (left bottom molar) but on the oppsoite side (the right side molar) and THAT filling begins to BREAK! THESE FILLINGS ARE LIKE ONLY A YR OLD?AND I PAID LIKE 100 BUCKS FOR EACH! I just went couple days ago for cleaning nd hes already sending a pre-authorization for the crown for the big filling. Im like i really dont want another crown done then he looks at me and gives me this like look like its my fault. he says well “your fillings are relatively large” DUDE you made them that way! its just so weird how he always asks how much money i have left in my insurance then says i need some huge repair so what, he can max out my sh*t? once its Dec 31st the money will be gone so just saying, if i didnt have any probs with my teeth, that money will go to waste. this is what i think. Im going back to fix my OTHER broken filling but im never going back. its funny how he decides to refill the fillings i had before. I should of went somewhere else cause now i think he messed my teeth up. is this dude playing games?
and may i add, the friend who referred him, when she was 13 he told her she needed a root canal done on the top left molar. This is the SAME tooth i had done too. WEIRD! maybe that tooth is worth more?? lmao

Best answer:

Answer by Aragorn
Our health insurance (and dental insurance) is a mess in this country. First off, it’s a shame you weren’t able to get regular dental care before you had expensive problems. This doesn’t happen in most civilized countries.

As far as your problem, I would get another dentist. They should never ask “how much insurance is left”. That’s no way to base medical decisions. I can’t say you (or your insurance company) has been scammed, but it doesn’t sound right. Get another dentist you trust. You hire these people, and if you can’t trust them you should pick someone else.

What do you think? Answer below!

Please read other answers to this question at the very bottom of this page, below you will find a video and related articles that will try to answer the question, if you have a proper answer please post it at the bottom.

No doctor or dentist? No insurance? Get affordable health care for your family at Community Health Centers of the Central Coast. With clinics all across Central California, CHC bases can offer affordable care at a location near you. How does CHC keep fees low? Care is based upon family size and income. Schedule an appointment to get the preventative care we need! Visit us www.yellowpages.com
Video Rating: 0 / 5

Orem Dentist | Young Family Dental in Orem, Utah

Finding the Best Orem Dentist

If you can help it, try to choose your dentist when you’re not in a hurry. Don’t wait for an emergency or urgent situation! When you do evaluate your choices, there are several things to consider.

Location – Convenience is important so choose a dentist who is close to your home or work. This will make it easier to schedule visits and to arrive on time.

Cost – First of all, if you have dental insurance, find out if he accepts your insurance carrier. Alternatively, does the dentist offer multiple payment options? What payment methods will he accept, such as credit cards, personal checks, or a payment plans. If your insurance plan requires referrals to specialists, can this dentist provide them?

Also, be aware that costs vary by practice. Usually, you can get estimates of what a dentist will charge for common procedures such as fillings, crowns or root canal therapy. Even if you have dental insurance, you need to know the total cost and deductible so you will know what part of the costs you will have to pay yourself.

Personal comfort – One of the most important things to consider when you choose a dentist is how comfortable you feel with that person. Is the dentist open and easy to speak with? Can you easily explain symptoms and ask questions? Do you feel like the dentist hears and understands your concerns? Would you feel comfortable asking for pain medicine, expressing your fears or anxieties, or asking questions about a procedure?

Professional qualifications – The dentist’s office should be able to tell you about the dentist’s training and certifications. The office also should have policies and procedures regarding infection control. If the staff appears uncomfortable or tentative answering your questions, or you are not comfortable with their answers, you should consider finding another dentist. You can also obtain information about a dentist’s qualifications from the local dental society or your insurance carrier. Most organizations of specialty dentists also list their members and qualifications.

Emergency care – Find out what happens if you have an emergency during normal office hours or at night or on a weekend. A dentist should not refer you to a hospital emergency room. How can you contact your dentist during off hours? Does she provide an answering service who can contact her directly, or will she give you her cell phone or pager number?

Finding a Dentist in Orem, Utah

Here are some suggestions on finding dentists to evaluate.

People to ask:

* Your friends and family – Friends and family members are a great resource. They can tell you about the personality of the dentist and office staff, and answer questions. Here are some good questions to ask:
– How well does the dentist explain treatment options?
– How long do you have to sit in the waiting room?
– Do you feel comfortable asking questions?
– How does the office handle emergencies?
– How long do you have to wait for an appointment?
– How are bills handled?
–

Places to call:

Your dental insurance company – Your insurer can provide names and contact information for dentists in your area who participate in the company’s dental plans. Usually you will have to pay a lower fee if you use these dentists. Your insurer also may have other information, such as whether the dentist accepts new patients.

Your state’s dental association – Each state has a dental association that can provide names of dentists who are members of the American Dental Association (ADA). ADA membership is voluntary. Most dentists are members. However, ADA members are not necessarily better than non-ADA dentists.

Your local hospital – Some hospitals have their own dental clinics, or can recommend local dentists.

The nearest dental school – A dental school in your area can be a great resource. Most dental schools have clinics that accept new patients. The care given at these clinics is excellent. The cost is often lower than visiting a private-practice dentist. Usually, routine care at a dental school clinic is provided by dental students and residents (people are completing more training beyond a D.M.D. or D.D.S. degree). They are supervised by dentists who teach at the dental school. For complicated and newer procedures, these clinics offer state-of-the-art care.

For more information, go to http://www.greatoremdentist.com

Find More Dentist No Insurance Articles