Question:
I have 2 insurance plans--mine and my husband's. When I go to the dentist,
I don't pay anything. What my plan don't cover, hubby's plan picks up.
Since I've had 2 plans, I've noticed my dentist has to do lots of
"expensive" work. Seems like every tooth needs a root canal (about $600 a
piece, once it is done and filling put in as well).
Friday of 24th weekend, a filling came out of a tooth that I had had a root
canal done on a while ago. Went in and the dentist said s/he would put a
temporary filling in, and s/he would eventually put a crown in. S/He said I
needed some other work done so s/he would start with the other work and end
with the crown.
Why wouldn't the dentist just do what I think should be done first? Why
should the other work be done first before he gets to the expensive work?
I'm beginning to think the dentist sees dollar signs because there's no
money coming from my pocket.
I guess my question is this: because it has a temp filling, will another
dentist take me on as their patient since obviously another dentist is
treating me? Or should I insist that the obvious be completed first before
we move on to other things?
Answer:
Nothing stops you from going to another dentist.
When I was young, I had a dentist tell my mother that I and my sister
each had 12 cavities that needed filling. We got four done and my mother
was suspicious enough to go to another dentist. He looked at our teeth
and said they were perfect...gotta wonder what happened to the other
eight cavities.
If you suspect his gouging your mouth for bucks, don't hesitate to go
elsewhere. I eventually lost a tooth because of that butcher's work.
It's not worth it.
While I totally agree with getting a second opinion on an issue that seems
fishy, the dentist is afterall the professional in the situation, with the
supposed knowledge to make the right call. I know it's your mouth and
everything but if he thinks something should be done first I'd go ahead and
let him do it, especially if you don't have to directly pay for it.
I noticed that with the dentist I have now. While I must say that he's the
most thorough dentist I've ever been to (as far as I can remember he's the
first one to check my mouth thoroughly for oral cancer, although it should
be a regular part of the examination). But on my first visit he 'evened' my
teeth. No other dentist had ever suggested the necessity of that, and all
it did was make my front teeth more sensitive. I was also taught how to
floss for the 15th time. That I don't do it regularly has nothing to do
with knowing how) so I don't need my insurance plan charged $30 for a 2
minute demo.
I've now told him to ask before he does anything and he knows that unless he
can truthfully tell me that the work he suggests is really 'necessary' I
ain't getting it done.
As for seeing another dentist -- go for it. Depending on when the work on
your teeth was done, the insurance may not pay for this latest stuff if it's
within a year or two of the last treatment for that tooth.
