Dental forms - asking for parents' SS #s

[Anonymous]

We're taking our toddler to the dentist for the first time, and the forms the office sent request both parents' date of birth and Social Security number. I don't see their need for this information. Am I missing something?

[Anonymous]

I believe it is for insurance. I usually decline to give it and haven't had a problem.

[Anonymous]

I never give my SS# on any forms. If it's imperative for someone to have it, they'll ask. I've never been asked.

[Anonymous]

It's for financial reasons. As the parents, you're financially responsible for payment so if insurance doesn't pay or you don't cover whatever your portion is, they will have the info to track you down.

[Anonymous]

I never put my SSN anywhere. If they need they'll ask me later.

[Anonymous]

It's for financial reasons so they can track you down if you don't pay. Trust me, they'll track you down without your SSN if you don't pay. I make it a policy not to supply my SSN, DH's SSN, or DD's SSN to anyone unless it's absolutely imperative. This is not one of those scenarios.

I'm particularly careful with DD's SSN, given that a huge amount of identity theft is perpetrated on young children.

[Anonymous]

I always leave the SSN line blank. I've never had a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always leave the SSN line blank. I've never had a problem.

Same here, although one pediatric dentist recently made a fuss. I said I would pay 100% cash upfront rather than give my SS number, and that seemed sufficient. They still went through insurance, but I will NEVER give out my SS number to anyone other than employers.

[Anonymous]

I leave it blank as well.

[Anonymous]

I just left it blank on DD's forms recently. We were self pay, but even if we were not, I would not give it out.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, everyone. I left it blank and at the appointment today nobody asked for the omitted info.