What are the charges put on your bill by your dentist?

[rsschneck]

In June, my daughter 7yo had sealing done on I believe on 3 teeth (maybe 4) for $114. In August, my son had his 1st dental visit and here is the breakdown.

specialist exam $46
Intraoaral-periapical - 1st film $12
bitewings - two films $24
prophylaxis, child - $46
Fluride w/o prophylaxis, child - $24
Total of $152

At the same time my daughter had her 6 months check up, cost as followed,

periodic oral evaluation $36
prophylaxis child $46
fluride w/o prophylaxis child $24
Total of $106


Here is an estimate of work needs to be done for my son,

amalgam- 2 surf. prim or perm $100
prefab stain steel crown - primary $178
therapeutic pulpotomy - $113
resin-one surface, anterior $87
amalgam-2 surf. prim or perm $100
amalgam- 2 surf. prim or perm $100
amalgam- 1 surf. prim or perm $79
prefab stain steel crn - primary $178
therapeutic pulpotomy $113
prefab stain steel crn - primary $178
therapeutic pulpotomy $113
amalgam - 2 surf. prim or perm $100

Some seem to be repeat but they are for different teeth. Total is about $1439, could be more or less. It will be a big dent in our wallet since we don't have any dental insurance. We will try to work out a payment plan with the dentist, hopefully he will be willing to do that. For now, my poor husband has to work extra to cover the bill.

I worked in pediatric dentistry for 7 years. I always hated to see "baby bottle" tooth decay. So much work for such young patients. I hope your son does okay and don't wait to get the work done. If you wait the cavities get bigger and tooth aches usually occur.

 

[scoutsmom99]

Here is mine:

Periodic Oral Exam $42
Prophylaxis - adult $78
Fluroide adul $26

I can't remember what the x-rays are, but I will post when I find them.

 

[Befferk]

One of the dentist wouldn't even do any work on her unless she is put out in a hospital . Of course I refused to that. Until we found this dentist now who had his own way of calming my daughter in his chair. We stayed with him ever since.

Slightly off topic, but I just went through sort of the same thing with my 3 yr old son. The "pediatric" dentist (I use that term lightly ) insisted that my son needed to be put out under gereal anesthesia and have a ton of work done to the tune of $5000-$6000 (Of which my dental ins would only cover $1250). I flat out refused. IMO general anethesia was not worth the risk in this case. That dentist wouldn't even try it any other way, to give my son a chance. We changed to my husband's dentist and haven't looked back. He said my son's teeth aren't nearly as bad as the other dentist said, although a lot of them need work. So we are doing it 1-2 teeth at a time. My son has already sat through 2 visits of getting fillings with local anesthesia (shot in the gums) without a single tear or a single flinch. And it is saving me a TON of money. I buy him a new toy each time we go, much cheaper than the other route, lol.

Beth

 

[HM]

My total dentist bill for cleaning is $89. I think your bill is really high!
I don't do floride treatments, so no charges for that.
My kids are $122 for theirs...they go to a different dentist.
If I don't want x-rays done on one of us, I say no, next time please.

 

[malibuconlee]

Our dental insurance paid for our cleaning, x-rays, and exam. We didn't even end up with a co-pay.

All the dentists I've gone to don't do flouride for adults, only children.

 

[my3kids]

My dentist charges right at $65 for a checkup and cleaning. If we need a set of bite wing x rays, I think that is an extra $15.

I've never heard of using flouride on adult's teeth.

 

[akasleepingbeauty]

My dentist gives adults a flouride treatment every 6 months. I never really thought much about it as I completely trust my dentist and just figured if he felt it was a good idea then I should go ahead with it. They never ask me - just give the treatment. Our insurance pays a portion of it and my part never amounts to much - I think if it can help at all I will stick with it!

The OP's charges are about in-line with what we pay. My bill last week for cleaning and 2 x-rays plus a flouride treatment was $173. The insurance will most likely pay about $165 or more. Our insurance does have a list of dentists but also pays "reasonable and customary" at other dentists - my dentist is not on their list.

Took dd5 for her first appointment with a new pediatric dentist a few weeks ago. Don't know how much that one was since they filed it directly and I didn't see a breakdown. This dentist is, however, on our insurance's list so we should be fairly well covered. She has not had anything but standard cleanings etc. done so far - hopefully her teeth will stay healthy.

Obviously, dental charges can vary significantly from region to region and dentist to dentist. If you don't feel comfortable with your current provider, there are so many more out there - ask friends for a recommendation and maybe you'll end up with someone you like better.

 

[ceecee]

I have been a Dental Office Manager for 20 yrs. The charges vary from region to region, most dentists are probably close to a UCR (usual, customary, reasonable) fee for their area. Pediatric dentists in our area do charge more as do other specialists (endodontists, periodontists, orthodontists) insurance usually pays more for a specialist as well. If a child needs a lot of work we always refer out, this does makes it easier for the child to come in for regular exams and not be afraid. The Pedodontist can give sedation if needed and for a lot of work, it's sometimes a lot easier on the child. It's not that deep of sedation and gets it over with at one time.
As for adult fluoride that seems to vary from hygienist to hygienist (we have one who subs that insists on it claiming the prophy takes it away). Normally we stop at age 14 (insurance sometimes stops paying then as well). We do have some adults with sensitivity issues who regularly get fluoride txs. Xrays should be every year (2 max) to check for decay and a full xray is usually (or should be) every 5 years to check.