Since when do Dentists have salesman?? RANT

[PirateKitty]

Shortly after I had dinner yesterday, I felt some discomfort in one of my teeth, and of course found a cracked tooth. Its a tooth that I had filled last year, and also ended up spending over $1200 on dental work to have all those old silver fillings replaced, and had a root canal, etc. I kept up on regular cleanings, until earlier this year when I moved. I haven't found a new dentist in my area yet...But I am very good at brushing & flossing several times a day. I didn't want to have to spend another $1200 in repairs.

So I wake up at 2:34 a.m. to find the side of my face swollen like I had been punched, and my jaw and the inside of my mouth was throbbing! I was thinking I probably have an abscessed tooth or something, and of course there was nothing I could do right then, so I took some Advil and tried to get back to sleep. I had to go to work, so I went in and spent 2 hours trying to find a dentist who could see me today. The pain was really unbearable, so I caved and went to a local dental center, who shall remain nameless. After spending about 1.5 hours, having x-rays taken, and having the doctor tell me that there is nothing she can do for me today, but "lets get you booked for another appointment" ( and I will have to see the office manager first ) I was shocked at what happened next.

I was ushered in to see the "office manager", where he clicked away at pictures of teeth on his computer and then printed out a sheet of paper and said "ok, this is what we're looking at"...All I saw was the dollar figure on the bottom. $1575!!! I then had to listen to his sales pitch, have him try to get me to sign up for "their financing", and then was told I would have to schedule visits twice a week until the end of January. I just had all this dental work done last year, and he was telling me I would need to have everything re-done???

I stood up and said "you have got to be kidding me!" Walked out in tears, called my fiance, and begged him to call around and try to get me in to see someone close to home. It was towards the end of the day, so I was unable to get in to another dentist, but the one we found is a friend of fiance's employer. He called in a prescription for the pain + an antibiotic in case of infection, and told me to be there at 7:30 a.m. So, the pain killers are kicking in, but I'm still in alot of pain, and my cheek looks like I'm storing nuts for the winter.

Sorry for the rant. I guess I learned my lesson today. I was tempted to make the 3 hour trip to my old dentist. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day!

 

[DVC-Don]

I went to a dentist for years and then he started doing this stuff. I have another dentist now.

 

[wdwprincess03]

I had that problem, went through about 3 dentists till I found one I liked. My teeth are HORRIBLE! All have fillings, need caps, etc. $1575 is a bit excessive for something that "they can't do anything for that day"

 

[minkydog]

This kind of thing just burns me up YOu do not need that high-pressure tactic when you are in pain. Definhitley find another dentist before you spend a dime, even if you must go back to the old dentist.

We had a similar situation a few years ago with my DDs peds dentist-orthodontist who was rabid to put her in braces immediately. She even threatened that without braces she could break her front teeth off. Thankfully, my oldest son had an orthodontist so I trotted DD right over there for a look-see. The orthodontist looked her over and said, yeah she has an overbite, and yeah if she falls just right she could break her teeth, but so could you. In fact, he recommended that she really wasn't quite ready for braces yet.

Do you believe the peds dentist called me within 4 days to bully me some more because I "never signed the paperwork" to get the braces started? I gave her an earful about what I thought of her practice and where she could stick those braces.

DD went on to wear braces, put on by our trusted orthodontist and her teeth are shaping up beautifully.

 

[PirateKitty]

This was just horrible. Thank you all for your support. I had to drive home after all this, crying, and I live an hour from work. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this dentist in the morning. He comes highly recommended from my fiance's employer and his whole family.

 

[doxdogy]

So sorry about your tooth pain. There is nothing worse. By the way I have an uncle in Cuyahoga Falls.

 

[PirateKitty]

So sorry about your tooth pain. There is nothing worse. By the way I have an uncle in Cuyahoga Falls.

He wouldn't happen to be a dentist, would he?

 

[Teacher03]

I don't know how far you are from Uniontown, OH, but if the dentist you are seeing tomorrow doesn't work out, I know a great one in that area. If you're interested, pm me. I used to go to him, but he is just too far away from me. I feel for you, I just had to come up with $1450 for an implant. For one tooth! Hope you're feeling better!

 

[tink1978]

My dad is a dentist....why in the world does he/she want $1575 to fix a tooth????? Is it more than one tooth??? Anyway, my dad goes over everything with the client before sending them to the office manager to schedule visits. He tells them up front how much he has to do, how much it will cost, goes over payment plans, etc, and then lets the client decide on whether they do the work or not. My answer to "since when do dentists have salesmen" is: that they want to be able to do more work and not have to deal with the problems or questions you may have. You need to find a dentist who will talk to you and answer all your questions before setting up appointments. The thing about dental centers is that they are extremely busy and cannot give you the treatment you need. Try finding another dentist for a second opinion.

 

[PirateKitty]

I don't know how far you are from Uniontown, OH, but if the dentist you are seeing tomorrow doesn't work out, I know a great one in that area. If you're interested, pm me. I used to go to him, but he is just too far away from me. I feel for you, I just had to come up with $1450 for an implant. For one tooth! Hope you're feeling better!

I think Uniontown is about 25 min. from here. I might be interested. I'm going to see this dentist in the morning. If I don't get a warm and fuzzy feeling after seeing him, I'll PM you. Thanks!!

 

[doxdogy]

Unfortunately no he is not. Believe me if he was I would be sending you his number.

 

[themarquis]

poor you! I had a bad experience with a dentist a few years back.. needed a cleaning/checkup, so I found an ad in the local college newspaper for a 50 dollar exam plus xrays (stupid me!!). The dentist and hygenist seemed to do a fine job of x-raying and cleaning my teeth. I was pleased. But when the dentist came back in to give me the results of my x-rays, he said I had SIX cavities, maybe needed a root canal, and oh, we need to talk about your wisdom teeth ASAP.

I wanted to cry but I figured, well, I should definitely take care of those cavities if nothing else. So I went up to pay my fifty dollars and inquired about the cavities -- could I book an appointment some time in the future instead of soon (I needed time to come up with th emoney) and if so how long would be too long to wait? She looked at me like I was INSANE. You need to get those filled soon, she said. I know, I replied, but uh ... can I wait a couple of months (my family dentist used to let us do that when I was a kid, since cavities usually are not going to blow up into something nasty for a long time)... again, she looked at me like I was insane. You need to get them done soon, she kept repeating, like a robot. She kept trying to book a time for next week, even though I kept telling her I didn't have the money.

Giving in, I let her book a time and then asked how much they would cost... again, the INSANE look. I don't know, it depends on the cavity, she said. I was starting to get upset ... I really didn't think it was unreasonable to ask for a ballpark. I kept asking her, and she kept insisting that nobody had any idea. Finally, she got the hygenist, who grudgingly dug up a price sheet. The prices were "per surface" and apparently, my cavities were the worst possible ones and therefore were going to be 600 dollars EACH (3600 dollars total). I was in shock and just walked out. My teeth were just going to rot out of my head -- how could anybody afford that?

Anyway, the end of the story is that when visiting my folks, I stopped at my family dentist to get a "second opinion" as suggested by my mom. He found ONE cavity, and that one was so minor that it was possible that with good flossing it might heal up or whatever....

Sometimes you wonder ... are there tons of dentists out there who are just con artists ripping people off? How is there no regulation or oversight over them, like there would if doctors were doing the same thing? (doctors are expensive, but I think giving a false diagnosis to get extra money would be considered illegal/malpractice).

Anyway, best of luck with your tooth -- let us know what ends up happening!

 

[DawnCt1]

DS#3 was born with 8 missing teeth. after years of orthodontia he was finally ready for replacements. he wasn't a good candidate for implants for a lot of reasons. after several consultations with various dentists we finally went to a prosthedontist/ethestician (sp) and when the plan was developed by the dentist during the consultation, we met with the office manager. I felt like I was buying a car. In fact, some cars would have been cheaper. He had a lot of crown and bridge work and I have to say, it was the BEST work I have ever seen. I cannot tell which are the natural teeth and which are the replacements.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

i'm sorry that happened to you, espically since you're in so much pain.

some Dental offices are all about the money. and that's what that one sounds like.

i'm glad you didn't pay the money for that. did they even tell you what was wrong? why you were in pain and why your face was swollen? because if it WAS an absecssed tooth, then they should have gotten it taken care of asap.

i'm glad you found someone else who was willing to help quickly! hope your experience there is better!

 

[Costumesaremylife]

That's so scary. I had the same thing happen when I was in NYC. I had to survive overnight in the hotel, before the three hour bus ride home. I didn't like my previous dentist because they always found something else wrong. One appointment for a cavity would end up being three appointments. So I tried a chain, because with Gentle in the title I hoped they weren't lying. They saw me right away, drilled my tooth down and gave me a temporary. I ended up getting a root canal (not fun, but they were nice and accommidating when I had a panic attack.) That pain is not fun, I can't believe any person would just leave you in that much pain. I like my dentist, which is definitley a new thing for me. ,
I just got another tooth done and i actually got a refund because It ended up that I overpaid.

 

[PirateKitty]

Its 10:20 now, I thought that I would go to bed early, the pain meds kicked in. So I hit the sack about an hour ago, and woke up in more pain. This is ridiculous. I'm probably going to be up all night. Thank God that appt. is early. This definitely can't be just a "cavity".

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

I hope you feel better. I broke a tooth a 2 years ago, on scrambled eggs, and found out that my former dentist had retired. The new dentist was "ok" but I wouldn't see him again unless I absolutely had to. Right now I am without insurance, and well, I have lost a filling, it's going to have to wait until I can get my Fiancee to put me on his insurance. *chuckles* It'll hold.

You let us know how you're doing, Ok?

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

I hope you feel better. I broke a tooth a 2 years ago, on scrambled eggs, and found out that my former dentist had retired. The new dentist was "ok" but I wouldn't see him again unless I absolutely had to. Right now I am without insurance, and well, I have lost a filling, it's going to have to wait until I can get my Fiancee to put me on his insurance. *chuckles* It'll hold.

You let us know how you're doing, Ok?

hey i'm not insured for Dental either....and i have to get 4 wisdom teeth pulled AND braces! it sucks!!

sorry about your filling. hope it holds!

 

[DisnyMama]

These dentists are going to make us so afraid to go that we will let our teeth rot before we will return to the dentist! My employer changed insurance plans so I could no longer go to my dentist that I had been going to for years and trusted (which is rare). I started having a toothache so I made an appt. with the dentist that was assigned to me and happened to be accross the street from my work. Bottom line, he felt it was a bad root canal and crowne and the whole thing should be re-done. Another $1000 for a repeat tooth? I said I would wait and see. He said in the meantime I should make an appt. for a cleaning. Two weeks later I return for the cleaning and after waiting in the chair for 45 minutes (I took a long lunch) he comes in and asks what am I here for? WHAT? He looks at my teeth and with an attitude says I need scaling not a reg. cleaning. Also, he starts nit picking at all my teeth telling me that all my fillings have to be replaced and that he will not do any work on me unless I have that stuff done. He was very condecsending. All the while one of his patients comes in the office and lets her little dog run all over the place- in and out of the treatment rooms-YUK! I love dogs but not at the dentists office. Anyway, this guy was no nasty to me that I got up and ran out of there crying and literally had to pull myself together before returning to work. I then called the insurance company and reported him. What a jerk. Problem is I am now afraid to go to the dentist.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

These dentists are going to make us so afraid to go that we will let our teeth rot before we will return to the dentist! My employer changed insurance plans so I could no longer go to my dentist that I had been going to for years and trusted (which is rare). I started having a toothache so I made an appt. with the dentist that was assigned to me and happened to be accross the street from my work. Bottom line, he felt it was a bad root canal and crowne and the whole thing should be re-done. Another $1000 for a repeat tooth? I said I would wait and see. He said in the meantime I should make an appt. for a cleaning. Two weeks later I return for the cleaning and after waiting in the chair for 45 minutes (I took a long lunch) he comes in and asks what am I here for? WHAT? He looks at my teeth and with an attitude says I need scaling not a reg. cleaning. Also, he starts nit picking at all my teeth telling me that all my fillings have to be replaced and that he will not do any work on me unless I have that stuff done. He was very condecsending. All the while one of his patients comes in the office and lets her little dog run all over the place- in and out of the treatment rooms-YUK! I love dogs but not at the dentists office. Anyway, this guy was no nasty to me that I got up and ran out of there crying and literally had to pull myself together before returning to work. I then called the insurance company and reported him. What a jerk. Problem is I am now afraid to go to the dentist.

wow that's terrible!

i hate that dentists now are trying to tell people that you HAVE to get your fillings replaced. you don't HAVE to. there's no law saying you do. the silver is fine in your teeth.

hey......try INTERNING for a dentist like that! they're not so nice to their interns either. got some instruments thrown at me and he called me an idiot.

another thing some dentists do that drive me nuts, is they double book. so they can be in 2 chairs simotaniously(sp???) which i don't like. i don't want him in someone else's mouth, and THEN in mine! but they tend to do that because they want as much $$ as possible.