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Suspicions about my dentist
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Anonymous
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There's another thread about a pediatric dentist doing unnecessary procedures on children for more profit. I suspect that my dentist is doing the same. My husband and I have been going to the same dentist for years and he retired last year and brought on a new dentist to take over the practice. In all the years that we've been going to that practice, my husband and I have never had a cavity and have been routinely going for all our cleanings and taking good care of our teeth. Ever since the new dentist came on, we've each had 2-3 cavities per visit. And he's also wanting to re-do my old fillings and caps I've had done a long while back. We kind of thought that he was on the aggressive side of recommending treatment and that he was probably trying to drum up more business. But, I never thought one would be as unscrupulous as doing unnecessary procedures. But the pediatric dentist threat got me thinking... Especially since that pediatric practice seems to be a well-established practice and not some seedy back alley practice.
My question is - how do you get a second opinion, if your dental insurance only covers one set of x-rays per year? If you were to ask for the x-rays to take to another dentist - would the dentist be offended? I really like this dental office and I would hate to switch on some misguided suspicions. What would you do? |
Anonymous
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Ugh. Why don't you call the insurance company and ask if they cover 2nd opinions. If not, it will likely be out of pocket, but it probably wouldn't be all that expensive just to have another doctor take a look. You can start with either you or your husband to hold down costs.
What I really wanted to respond to was your comment about offending the dentist's office. Please don't feel that way! It's a business and you are ultimately responsible for your health care. Just be matter-of-fact about asking for *your* xrays/records. You don't have to volunteer a reason. If they ask, you can just say "I'm going for a second opinion." If they ask why, you can tell them. There is nothing to hide, apologize for, or be ashamed of. People do this all the time. I'm sure your dentist has offered second opinions to other dentist's patients. Good luck. |
Anonymous
| The history you give is kind of concerning. I would get a second opinion, even if it is out of pocket, because the cost of MR. Drill and fill could be more in the end. BTW, the sencond opinion dentist may not be willing to say anything to get yours into trouble. Just act like you're getting a first opinion. |
Anonymous
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Are you sure your now retired dentist was doing a good job and using the latest technology? My dad's dentist is 75 (!!) and has only ever charged him $50 for a crown; he's never had a flouride treatment or had a perio cleaning. I think if he went to a newer dentist it would be a completely different story. We also had a bad experience as kids with an older dentist who was really lax - then all got slammed with many cavities once we saw someone who was more up on things.
My point is - dig a little deeper with your current dentist and don't immediately assume they're out to get you. |
Anonymous
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I agree with the PP. I have definitely had fillings relpaced in the past few years. They don't actually last forever and the materials that are used now are vastly better than the materials used 10 years ago. If these are old, especially metallic, fillings, it may simply be good maintenance. I also think the PP hit on something in that regard -- I had an older dentist who was not as current on the newest materials/technologies/approaches. I eventualy changed dentists for that reason and did have some work redone.
That said, your instincts may be dead-on and shouldn't be ignored. I'd get a reliable recommendation for a dentist from a friend, get a copy of your xrays (you are entitled to a copy of any and all of your medical records) and get a second opinion. I'd be frank with the new dentist so he knows where you are coming from. Likely, he'll try and avoid new xrays unless necessary. Good luck. I remember having a surprisingly hard time when I switched dentists. In retrospect, I wish I had been more confident because it didn't end up being a big deal. |
Anonymous
I would definitely get a second opinion. My husband started with a dentist who is fairly well regarded in DC and the dentist told him that he needed something like 12 fillings redone. The dentist's office "calculated" what insurance would cover but failed to realize that the insurance company wouldn't completely cover the white fillings (forget what they're called) unless they were for front teeth. I was also new to this so I didn't realize that one had to wait for the insurance company's authorization to find out the true scoop and that we had an annual $1000 limit anyway so why bother to calculate it as if we would receive more than that back. By the time we received it (form was kind of raggedy and coming via the dentist's office) my husband's work was already underway and it became clear we would be on the hook for several thousand dollars. Of course, part of the problem was my husband -- I couldn't talk him into getting a second opinion. Later I talked to my dentist (60 miles away in our old neighborhood so my husband wouldn't go to him) who said diplomatically that perhaps redoing the 12 fillings was a tad more aggressive than he would have been. Today I see a different dentist in DC. He's a good guy who tries to save me money so I like him. But I LOVE his office manager who handles the insurance efficiently and responsibly and is totally trustworthy. It's worth the money to get a second opinion! Good luck! |
Anonymous
| Did your current dentist show you your x-rays? It is very evident when you have a cavity. Take a look for yourself. |
Anonymous
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you should be able to get a copy of your xrays from the current dentist and take them to the new dentist. Or have them send them over to the new practice.
I get annual cleanings and never once did my previous dentist(s) mention anything about cavities, small cavities, or potential cavities. After I moved, I started going to a new (younger) dentist and he told me I had FOUR cavities! |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
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We had a similar problem with the orthodontist that was going to do my oldest daughters braces. He was the King of insurance orthodontia and did all the pre work-ups, etc.
When he sent his plan over to our dentist (who is also a good friend), our dentist was alarmed. He said that he felt that he had to tell us that the procedure was the wrong one for my daughter's correction, and, included unnecessary removal of teeth and other procedures. I promptly got a referral from our dentist to another orthodontist, and since I had paid for the xrays and work ups I went back to the "King" and asked for my work. He called me in and asked me why I wanted them. I told him I had gotten a second opinion and that his proposed treatment was not appropriate for my daughter. Do you know instead of asking me anything about it, or being the least bit professional, he just said "Do you know how many mouths I've done?" Like I cared. Went to the new ortho, my daughter has the most beautiful smile in the world now, and I've learned that you need to watch out for yourself - not all doctors are created equal, and just because your insurance wants you to use them, doesn't mean they are any good AT ALL. Unfortunately, I don't know that our dentist would have warned us as quickly if he had not been a friend. |
Anonymous
| we were going to a dentist that I swear was $1000 each visit. We now go to one we totally trust who was recommended by several friends. The first guy we went to we basically found from the phonebook. His office and staff were nice but we had no one to compare experiences with. |
Anonymous
| I had an experience like this a few years ago. I went to a new dentist near my office that had been recommended to me by a friend. His office was very nice and modern and had all the latest equipment. When I had the first visit, he told me I had several cavities and I had to get them filled. I had not had any cavities for several years and had always had regular dental visits. After I got them filled, I had some pain which continually got worse, and when I went back he told me I now needed a root canal because the cavity had been so deep! I found this strange considering I had had regular x-rays every year or so and no pain - how could I get such a deep cavity in such a short time? Over the course of a year of going to him, I had several more cavities filled and the start of another root canal at the cost of several thousand dollars. Unfortunately, at that time my job did not offer dental insurance so it was all out of pocket. Another annoying thing about the visits was when I went there, he was always working on two patients at one time. So as I was being worked on, he would then leave and go to another patient in the next room and work on him for awhile and then come back to me. So, things that should have been finished in one visit, took two or three or more! Finally, I got fed up and I actually left and went to a new dentist while I was in the middle of having my 2nd root canal done (I had a temporary crown on). I didn't bring any x-rays with me, just told them that I was not satisfied with my dentist and was switching. He finished the root canal and I have not had a problem since - it has been about 5 years. I don't have any proof that he was doing unnecessary work, but I do think it is strange that I really had no problems before and haven't had any since. It was very frustrating, but I am glad now that I have finally found a dentist I am happy with. |
Anonymous
My dentist is Alan Helig, 1712 I St NW #1010, (202) 467-5553. His office manager is Bessie and she is wonderful. |
Anonymous
| Larry Bowers on Capitol Hill is just plain great. |
Anonymous
| This has happened to me twice (here and in another state). Both times I asked for the x-rays, took them to a new dentists, and my suspicion that the proposed work was unnecessary were confirmed... Do whatever you have to do to get the 2nd opinion. The dishonesty in the dental profession is scandalous. There are wonderful, honest dentists out there, and they are getting tarred by all these snake-oil salesmen... |