Question:
Where would one find a list of prices for dentists in the US? I found
one for Canada, but not the US. I would like to shop for a reasonable
dentist, but without such a list who knows what is reasonable?? Ripping off
insurance companies is one thing, but charging low-income Social Security
recipients the same rates in unfair.
Answer:
You wouldn't know even if you had a list of "average" fees. One dentist
may do average work and charge low fees. Another may do excellent work
and charge average fees. A third may do poor work and have high fees.
Any and all combinations.
Ripping off insco's or patients is equally wrong (morally, ethically,
and legally).
Nice comment about ripping off insurance companies. Why don't you put this
posting where the sun doesn't shine.
I determine *what's reasonable* by the satisfaction the purchase gives me.
I might spend $50+ for a good dinner out...even though the enjoyment is over
in about an hour. For a crown that will service me for 10+ years (and allow
me to eat that $50 dinner), almost any price seems reasonable. Hell, over
10-20 years, a $1000 crown only costs 15-30 cents per day. If I eat three
meals per day, I use that tooth at least three times per day. That's only
5-10 cents per use! What else only costs that little on a per-use basis?
Oh? Am I wrong about that? Doctors and dentists don't charge absolute top
dollar because they know the insurance companies have deep pockets? We the
unsinsured resent that because our pockets are very shallow.
Some might, but it is illegal. Some have been caught and been guilty of
fraud (heavy fines, they can lose their license, and even get jail
time). Not the kind of risk that I want to take. I sometimes have
*PATIENTS* come in and say, "I don't care what you get out of the
insurance company, just so I don't have to pay anything". I tell them
that if I complied, I would be in jeapardy of losing my license and if
that's what they expect, they need to find a new dentist.
