Suspicious dental practitioner

[Anonymous]

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?

Well, that is an unfounded leap. Perhaps, you should discuss a med change with your therapist.

[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.

+1. Over 20 years ago I had a wonderful dentist in another state who told me the marketplace is overflowing with dentists and people do some shady things to pay off those loans and make a good income. I thought he was a paranoid, but great dentist. I was naïve then, but have since learned he is right. When I have lived in less affluent areas I have not encountered shadiness, but ever since we moved to an area where we are the middle classers and there are many rich, I have encountered horrifyingly shady dentists. Whenever I doubt someone I make sure insurance will pay for another consult and when my cousin is in town and I have check things out. Lemme tell you, something is fishy with the dentists in the area and you have to really hunt for a good one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

More importantly, does anyone understand you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

I had a terrible shady dentist several years ago when I had dental insurance. In DC, initials ST.
I am still dealing with the (literal) fall out from tne terrible and unneeded work he did. I've heard from 2otber people who had similar experiences with him.
My current awesome trustworthy dentist is John Conaghan. He is the very best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No idea what the deal is with op and this dude. But I work in insurance and dental fraud is a huge thing. They get paid to fix issues and thus get paid more the more dental work they find is needed. Since it's dental work, these guys/gals figure hey no harm.

This is true. I know my dentist will "recode" procedures differently so they're covered by insurance. In fact, I think that's a fairly common practice among dentists.

[Anonymous]

There are some really shady dentists around, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if your hunch is correct, OP.

But, you'd need to catch him doing it (not just go on his parents' word).

What are his reviews like on Yelp, etc. If there are a lot of people complaining that he orders unnecessary work, then perhaps add to those conversations to suggest one of those people report him.

In the DC area, I once received about 5 pages of items that "apparently" needed doing. I left it for a few years, saw a new dentist, and he said none of that was necessary. The other dentist came across as very nice ... hard to believe she would pull that stuff.

Also, I know a dentist in my home country who defrauded the system - he was convicted of it - you would never in a million years have guessed that person would do it. It happens ... a lot. I wish people would complain more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are a mental case,
Get help.

Snicker snicker

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+1. Over 20 years ago I had a wonderful dentist in another state who told me the marketplace is overflowing with dentists and people do some shady things to pay off those loans and make a good income. I thought he was a paranoid, but great dentist. I was naïve then, but have since learned he is right. When I have lived in less affluent areas I have not encountered shadiness, but ever since we moved to an area where we are the middle classers and there are many rich, I have encountered horrifyingly shady dentists. Whenever I doubt someone I make sure insurance will pay for another consult and when my cousin is in town and I have check things out. Lemme tell you, something is fishy with the dentists in the area and you have to really hunt for a good one.

This I had a receptionist refer me for a root canal after I explained my pain. She work a for KP . I. didn't think the dentist was shady but it did NOT need a root canal. I dislike the receptionist and popcorn greatly now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are a mental case,
Get help.

I hardly ever read or post on this board and I can't figure out this response. Reading over OP's message, I would see red flags too. It would bother me to think of someone committing massive fraud. By the way, that is SOMEONE"S money they are taking - ours. When insurance companies are over-billed, we all pay. I also personally find it disgusting that someone would do this. Call me a snitch, but I would find it incredibly unfair for someone to be wealthy by ripping people off. What's wrong with you people? I suspect that the person saying, "you are a mental case," is in therapy for something now....

[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.

Ha ha, I like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+1. Over 20 years ago I had a wonderful dentist in another state who told me the marketplace is overflowing with dentists and people do some shady things to pay off those loans and make a good income. I thought he was a paranoid, but great dentist. I was naïve then, but have since learned he is right. When I have lived in less affluent areas I have not encountered shadiness, but ever since we moved to an area where we are the middle classers and there are many rich, I have encountered horrifyingly shady dentists. Whenever I doubt someone I make sure insurance will pay for another consult and when my cousin is in town and I have check things out. Lemme tell you, something is fishy with the dentists in the area and you have to really hunt for a good one.

[Anonymous]

OP, it took me a while to find a trustworthy dentist in this area. I go home few times per year, and just take my appointments there - both dental and medical. There are much better qualified doctors at home, and they are not looking to mark up services.

It is unfortunately, a very real practice in areas of more wealth. While OP's presentation was not 100%, some of the PP's sound more naive than OP sounds off kilter, seriously.