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oldgunner
How do you handle them? How do you know when they're truthful? For the last six years I've been trusting one of them. He tells me I need it, I do it. The hell of it is, he's getting most(at least half) of my retirement pay. I'm 69 years old, i"m not so damned sure my whole head is worth as much as my annual dental bill, and I'm about to blow up.

The last thing, and this is just one of about a thousand over the last few years, is that I need a cap or whatever the crap you call it.

When I set up the appointment to do it, I was told I could save money by paying in advance, so I hand over my credit card, and they take $459.00, which is over what my insurance pays. The appointment to do the work is tomorrow afternoon. I just got a bill saying I owe them another $523.50 that insurance doesn't cover.

This happens over and over. They tell me what my share is, then later bill me for twice as much after I pay it and think I'm paid up.

I admit I'm dumb, but I ain't stupid. I believe I'm getting screwed, not only on charges, but I think they're doing useless work. Am I missing something, or is it time for me to draw the line? After all, I'm getting old, I need money to fight high BP and various other things, I don't want to give a damned dentist all I have..

How do you do it?
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Comments

16 comments

Date Votes
  • dcon12
    Lucky you ain't pregnant. Don
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  • SahaganBeta
    I think dentistry comes in two different forms, aesthetic, and (maybe) necessary. I've personally noticed that missing teeth require no expensive dental care.

    What scares me though, is that we may be raising a generation of kids that are obviously totally mutating into sub-normal human beings. Else why would they need so much expensive aesthetic dentistry, teeth straightened, teeth whitened, teeth capped, teeth, well teeth whatever costs the most? At the rate we're going, we'll be giving kids at birth, perpetual dental care instead of life insurance.

    And oh yeah, as to your case, I think they're taking you for a (dental chair) ride.

    Sahagan
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  • 1911a1-fan
    i'd find another one, my sons dentist tell me everything that insurance will and will not cover before the work is done, and will work with me in every way possible, something sounds fishy
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  • oldgunner
    I believe you're all right, except Dcon, and I ain't too sure about him..
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  • sig232
    Most insurance does not cover dental work after retirement. One cap is close to $800 now-days. As we get older our teeth are on their last leg and we have to try to spend enough to make them last until we expire.

    If you are 60+ you may need to get another 20 years at the most out of your teeth. If you don't keep up the maintenance it will cost more in the long-run.

    Have a come to Jesus meeting with your dentist and tell him the truth. You are retired and need to do enough to keep your teeth in good shape for a reasonable number of years. What are your low cost options. They will usually understand that you are living on a fixed income and can't put in a "grill" with embedded diamonds and Ruby's!
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  • A J Christ
    Seen a bill board the other day advertising dentures for $735.00
    My dentist charges $850 for a crown. Tells me I need 2 crowns and a root canal. That billboard is starting to make economic sense.
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  • oldgunner
    I know what you mean AJ..Nobody gives a crap what I look like anyway, and in the last six years I've spend around twenty thousand on the damn teeth, over and above what my insurance has paid. They ain't worth it in my opinion, and tomorrow is the day it ends.
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  • .22 L.R
    If the little voice in your head is telling you something stinks theres at least a reasonable chance it does. As with any profession there are always some that if they can squeeze a little extra out of you they will. I personally would inquire with family or friends as to who they go to and take it from there. If you find another Dentist that sounds good to you cantact them to see If one they can take on new patients and secondly if you need to bring you old dental records from your previous Dentist. Your Medical records with your current dentist are "Yours" and your entitled to have them. At most you may have to pay something if you need copies. I don't know what its like where you are but around here there are numerous dentists to choose from unlike years ago. The dentist I and my entire family use we started with when he was first getting started. That was over 20 years ago. I guess I am lucky in that sense. The dentist I have has never given me cause to think he was doing unnecessary work. When anything out of the normal cleaning is deemed needed he tells me and gives me his professional opinion. But it's always up to me as wether I want it done and if I want it done at that particular time. If their reasons for having something done doesn't sound right by all means question it. At 69 years old you certainly have been around the block more than once. As I stated earlier if you think something stinks start shopping around. Good Luck.
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  • PJ
    Sounds like he has a boat payment due.
    Pete
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  • Queen of Swords
    Dentists and orthodontists can be blood-suckers. While I understand the value of caring for your teeth, I can't abide seeing a 40+ person with braces, just drives me crazy. I mean, If you are 40 years old and are not comfortable with your smile, you have bigger problems than a couple thou in orthodontia will cure.
    You sound like a person who is serious about their dental care, which is good. Poor dental care can lead to a host of health problems, but you seem to have them in check.
    You seem like you are ready to draw the line. Well, the question is up to you. Are you ready to tell the dentist you aren't willing to pay for more than what is necessary to chew, or maybe not, but not compromise your health?
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  • spasmcreek
    had to have shoulder surgery & since i had no insurance worked a deal for a price paid up front....everything went well till 3 weeks later when i got a bill for another $2800...called them up & asked WTH we had a deal worked out for this & it was paid...she stammered around a little then said just to forget it ...i said fine & send me a statement that i was paid up...so far end of game....i'll bet if you get your records from this dentist & records from your insurance company (WHICH YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO)it might be interesting......the dentist here in jackass flats has a new little laser machine he wants to zap your gums with for $3500....yah you bet...good luck
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  • spryor
    Got a set of dentures about 20yrs ago for $300. something. Haven't been back to the dentist since.[:)]
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  • elkfinder89
    I would request a copy of your x-rays and the current treatment plan if there is one and go get a second opinion. There are many honest dentists out there, but there are also many dishonest ones, just like mechanics. Mine always goes over the options and lets me decide what to do, he also has a cool camera that lets me see things from his point of view.
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  • bpost
    I never have figured out why you have to pay so much for pain. Hell for 10 bucks you can get drunk and pick a fight in the bar. The big guy will take out teeth and laugh while he does it for free.

    IMHO; hold them to the deal. PAY UP FRONT, no extra payments to follow.

    They are not disclosing all the fees to you.
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  • mateomasfeo
    Don't get down in the mouth about it...
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  • v35
    Over 50 years ago the V.A. wanted to pull six teeth. I let them pull two and that was a bad experience.
    A private dentist saved the rest and since then there have been a number of caps and root canals but no extractions.
    Last year a capped molar had to go but I'm still ahead three teeth.
    My wife just had a front dental implant at $3,000 for one tooth.
    She tells me that's the going price.
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