Suspicious dental practitioner

[Anonymous]

OP, people have all sorts of income from places that are never discussed. Maybe the dentist had an inheritance that he invested well. Maybe he has a silent partner. Maybe he's in debt up to his eyeballs. You just never know.

[Anonymous]

I left my dentist's practice when he found *seven* cavities that needed immediate fills. I was 35 at the time and had two fillings in my adult life.

I was concerned that sudden cavity development might signal a health problem and I asked my dentist why/how I could suddenly develop seven cavities since my last appointment six months prior.

I have straight teeth thanks to childhood orthodontia and am meticulous/borderline obsessive about my dental hygiene. This was a shock.

My dentist provided no real answers, but was very detailed in describing how he'd fill each cavity over the course of several appointments. I had to look into sedation dentistry for the first time, ever because I knew I'd be extremely anxious.

Got a second opinion via another dentist- had my X-rays sent and had a screening. I switched to this new dentist and guess what? This dentist filled *two* cavities and is watching another. This was about five years ago. What happened to my other cavities? It's a miracle!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCUM is the first and only place I've ever read so many suspicious and angry posts about shady dentists. I had no idea that bias even existed. Maybe there's some truth to it; I don't know, but I have NEVER encountered it except here. Can anyone explain it to me?

Follow-up q: If you are suspicious of dentists, do you also resent fluoride in the water? And are you a member of the Tea Party?

Not OP, but I'm on my 5th dentist since moving here. I've been to some seriously shady dentists that upcharge, miss major cavities, and I had a root canal performed even though I didn't need one (verified by current, awesome dentist). So yeah there are lots of shady dentists here.

I'm on my fifth as well but still searching. Who is your current awesome dentist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People need to learn to mind their own business. Nobody likes a snitch OP.

I do. I admire people who turn in criminals. Are you posting from the state penitentiary? If so, I can see why you would think your advice is sensible, but for the population on the outside, it is not really applicable.

Good luck with your next parole hearing PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I left my dentist's practice when he found *seven* cavities that needed immediate fills. I was 35 at the time and had two fillings in my adult life.

I was concerned that sudden cavity development might signal a health problem and I asked my dentist why/how I could suddenly develop seven cavities since my last appointment six months prior.

I have straight teeth thanks to childhood orthodontia and am meticulous/borderline obsessive about my dental hygiene. This was a shock.

My dentist provided no real answers, but was very detailed in describing how he'd fill each cavity over the course of several appointments. I had to look into sedation dentistry for the first time, ever because I knew I'd be extremely anxious.

Got a second opinion via another dentist- had my X-rays sent and had a screening. I switched to this new dentist and guess what? This dentist filled *two* cavities and is watching another. This was about five years ago. What happened to my other cavities? It's a miracle!

Yep, this happened to me too! But with only one cavity. Said it needed to be filled asap (never have had any other cavities before). I've gone to multiple other dentists since then and no one has found anything in the last decade. My current dentist is watching a couple teeth, which are different than the one he mentioned, and they've been watching them for 2 years with updates that it still looks ok for now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know a dentist who may be engaging in some unlawful billing practices. I can't be certain but he has amassed a fortune in a fairly short period of time. He has no special skills, has not graduated from any noteworthy dental school or college, and his web site does not mention any information about billing practices, insurance, or finances. This is strange. His parents boast about his wealth all the time and say he has made enough money to buy a few malls now. I know dentists do well, but, sorry, not that well. I am a bit familiar with how dentists can engage in insurance fraud so I'm seeing red flags.

Is this enough to ask the dental board to investigate him? Would you?

You want the dental board to investigate him because his parents boast about his wealth and he owns property. Am I understand you correctly?

[Anonymous]

OP, I have no problem with people reporting fraud. It's a crime and should be treated accordingly.

However, based on your information, no poster here can be qualified to determine whether the dentist is a crook or not.

Report him to the dental board by all means, but if all the information you have to give them is what you posted, chances are they will roll their eyes and nothing else.

[Anonymous]

This happened to me with an old dentist in LA. I got charged random amounts WAY over the limit that was supposed to be billed per my insurance. I got all my money back from the bastard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People need to learn to mind their own business. Nobody likes a snitch OP.

I do. I admire people who turn in criminals. Are you posting from the state penitentiary? If so, I can see why you would think your advice is sensible, but for the population on the outside, it is not really applicable.

Good luck with your next parole hearing PP.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DCUM is the first and only place I've ever read so many suspicious and angry posts about shady dentists. I had no idea that bias even existed. Maybe there's some truth to it; I don't know, but I have NEVER encountered it except here. Can anyone explain it to me?

NP - I did, and moved to another dentist that wouldn't have me come in 6 times for a procedure that could be done in 1 visit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People need to learn to mind their own business. Nobody likes a snitch OP.

I do. I admire people who turn in criminals. Are you posting from the state penitentiary? If so, I can see why you would think your advice is sensible, but for the population on the outside, it is not really applicable.

Good luck with your next parole hearing PP.

+1

I would agree with you guys if OP had anything to go on other than the parents saying he's rich and not having billing info on his website. A complaint like that is laughable. Now if she has proof of shady billing practices, she should report.

[Anonymous]

I would agree with you guys if OP had anything to go on other than the parents saying he's rich and not having billing info on his website. A complaint like that is laughable. Now if she has proof of shady billing practices, she should report.

+ Yes, some dentists are scammers IMO and way more interested in $ than proper dental work. No shortage of stories on that issue. You need more info though to make a complaint that will be taken seriously...

[Anonymous]

I would call the front office and say you need his license number because you are filling a claim with your insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would call the front office and say you need his license number because you are filling a claim with your insurance.

And do what? It doesn't sound like OP is even a patient. So what's she going to report?

Dear licensing board,

Dr. larlo's parents have been bragging about his wealth and I can't imagine that he makes that much money because he didn't go to a good school. Additionally, his website includes no financial or insurance information. This all leads me to conclude that he's involved in some sort of scam

Sincerely,
Paranoid mary

[Anonymous]

My dentist amassed a small fortune on my teeth alone in a small amount of time. No insurance fraud at all. Just a whole lot going wrong in my mouth at the same time.

Dentists do pretty well. Stop being jealous.