topic Re: Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist in Among Friends

Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist

madzonie — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:01:00 GMT

My longtime dentist (13+ years) has sold her business to a new dentist. I had an appointment with the new one last week. I am still reeling from the experience.

First, I've taken really good care of my teeth ALL my life - I'm 72. I had to go through chemo for breast cancer in Oct-Dec 2017 and it wrecked havoc with my teeth & gums. My dentist helped me all she could with trying to mitigate the damage from the chemo.

So - 13 years receiving good care from my old dentist, and then the new staff kind of started insinuating the my old dentist didn't do things the right way.

When I left the oiffce, I was given an "estimate" of the things the new dentist feels I need to address the ongoing damage of teeth & gums. The total - $20,000!

I intend to ask the dentist this same question when I see him again later this week - how could I have $20K of damage when I've received regualar dental care over the past 13 years? I also received regular care ever siince I had my braces 60 years ago!!

Oh - a good friend of mine who also went to the old dentist saw the new one a couple weeks ago and was given an estimate of $4000 in work.

I'm so uncomfortable with this whole episode and think perhaps I should get a second opinion.

Re: Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist

kaydee50 — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:05:42 GMT

This same thing has happened to both me and my DH. In both cases, we did not return to that dentist. Fortunately, where we live there are many to choose from. In addition, just because the dentist "estimates" you need work, does not mean that it has to get done. If nothing is bothering you, I would take what the dentist suggests as just that, a suggestion.

Good luck!

Re: Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist

NickNack — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:05:42 GMT

I think you need to see a different dentist. I wouldn't go back to this one. He sounds like a money grabber.

Re: Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist

proudlyfromNJ — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:08:47 GMT

I wouldn’t go back. I would ask friends for recommendations.

Re: Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist

ValuSkr — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:09:07 GMT

You're right to be suspicious. I'd get a second opinion. Is there a way to contact your old dentist? I'd feel better if the dentist gave me several options, at a range of price points.

I've been to a number of dentists over the years and do believe some are unscrupulous, that their main objective is to make money.

Re: Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist

mizree — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:10:27 GMT

sorry you got this news. i would def initely get a second opinion.

Re: Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist

Love my grandkids — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:16:16 GMT

I agree with others:

Get a 2nd opinion.

Ask friends for references.

DO NOT GO BACK TO THIS SHYSTER. I wouldn't even call them.

Re: Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist

Kachina624 — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:18:11 GMT

My long-time dentist retired and sold his practice to a corporation that owns and operates many clinics. I went for semi annual cleanings with which I wasn't satisfied. Got as astronomical estimate on work I "needed" after years of conscientious care . They hired 3 dentists the first year who soon left. Bookkeeping was a total mess. I left and haven't been back. Must find a new dentist.

Re: Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist

Puppy Lips — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:19:41 GMT

Sounds like they are trying to take advantage of you. Find another dentist.

Re: Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist

NicksmomESQ — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:20:15 GMT

DH & I have been through the same thing.Years ago when we moved I talked DH into trying a new dentist in our new neighborhood.

DH was told he needed $7500 worth of dental work. I was told I needed to have all 4 wisdom teeth extracted even though they weren't bothering me or crowding my other teeth!!

We ended up going back to our old neighborhood dentist. He told DH that he only needed 1 root canal & cap .He told me that if my wisdom teeth aren't causing a problem not to mess with them. 30 years later I still have them!!

I never ever take a doctors word on anything without double & triple checking. DH & I have avoided quite a bit of unnecessary procedures as a result.

Re: Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist

stellabystarlight — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:21:12 GMT

If you live near a university that has a dental school, often the student dentists,who are supervised by professor dentists, will do your work for very nominal fees. My cousin did this and the work was beautiful, and cost him very little.

Re: Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist

Vivian — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:21:39 GMT

Get a second opinion. Many young dentists are in debt up to their eyeballs, after undergrad and dental school loans. My guess is that the work you were told about would be just fine, albeit not necessary or required. My 97 year old mother had a similar experience but since my brother is a retired dentist, he called the guy and reamed him a new one. Mom went to a different dentist who took good care of her and charged her for the work she really needed.

Re: Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist

Daysdee — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:21:57 GMT

I would definitely get a second opinion and would not go back to that dentist. I have a feeling I'm going to get some kind of "bad news" when my dentist retires. Been going to him for 35+ years he is really good, but totally "old school." Receptionist doesn't even have a computer and appointments are written in a book.

Re: Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist

Mary Bailey — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:23:17 GMT

I'm a CSR for dental insurance. I hear a lot of complaints like yours from patients.

When dentists offices call they want to know how much is remaining of the patient's benefits.

Re: Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist

esmerelda — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:25:55 GMT

@madzonie Absolutely get a second opinion. And start asking your friends to recommend a NEW dentist.

Re: Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist

Desertdi — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:27:30 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
My long-time dentist retired and sold his practice to a corporation that owns and operates many clinics. I went for semi annual cleanings with which I wasn't satisfied. Got as astronomical estimate on work I "needed" after years of conscientious care . They hired 3 dentists the first year who soon left. Bookkeeping was a total mess. I left and haven't been back. Must find a new dentist.

@Kachina624 Went thru something similar......was told I needed surgery to reposition my jaw.......for $75,000. Told the guy I didn't have that much cash........and he told me to get a second mortgage. I told him, "So long." Found another dentist who actually gives me a senior discount. di

Re: Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist

kelsey17 — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:31:30 GMT

It is so hard these days to keep up with dental care....i have always tried to go regularly since my youth....but the cost of dental appts are INSANE.......i don't know why there isn't some kind of regulations or something to oversee these outrageous fees............i had an estimate a year or so back

for 2 teeth w/bridge and it was $9,000................and the fact that even if you have any type of dental insurance it is minimal..............................the dentists office recommended i apply for a special credit card so i could get the work done and pay the $9,000 off that way. It is just insane.....and the thing that gets me crazy is when you have your dentist give you a hard time if you are a little late for a check up.................Needless to say i didn't get the work done ...we didn't have $9000 at that time that we could do without.................i had just had a

bill for $6000 periodontal work the year before!!

Re: Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist

kivah — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:31:52 GMT

@madzonie wrote:
My longtime dentist (13+ years) has sold her business to a new dentist. I had an appointment with the new one last week. I am still reeling from the experience.

First, I've taken really good care of my teeth ALL my life - I'm 72. I had to go through chemo for breast cancer in Oct-Dec 2017 and it wrecked havoc with my teeth & gums. My dentist helped me all she could with trying to mitigate the damage from the chemo.

So - 13 years receiving good care from my old dentist, and then the new staff kind of started insinuating the my old dentist didn't do things the right way.

When I left the oiffce, I was given an "estimate" of the things the new dentist feels I need to address the ongoing damage of teeth & gums. The total - $20,000!

I intend to ask the dentist this same question when I see him again later this week - how could I have $20K of damage when I've received regualar dental care over the past 13 years? I also received regular care ever siince I had my braces 60 years ago!!

Oh - a good friend of mine who also went to the old dentist saw the new one a couple weeks ago and was given an estimate of $4000 in work.

I'm so uncomfortable with this whole episode and think perhaps I should get a second opinion.

DO NOT go back to this SCAMMER!!! Many dentists are scammy especially when they buy a business - they have lots of debt and there are too many dentists in the U.S. - so they have to lie to the patients. Telling them they need work when they don't. They ruin people's teeth and they do not care.. I also had 6 chemo treatments 13 yrs ago and it didn't affect my teeth. If ur teeth were affected, it's probably minimal - and he's taking advantage of that. Check out other dentists - Yelp is a good start. You could also check with family/friends. Always be aware when going to a dentist, doctor --- there are crooks in the bunch.

Re: Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist

Kachina624 — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:33:45 GMT

@Desertdi. My dentist who retired, moved to Phoenix.

Re: Feeling a bit scammed by new dentist

depglass — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 19:38:18 GMT

Dental School 101 - Don't scare the daylights out of the patients when you are stepping into another dentist's practice. That just seems like common sense to me. You can hit them up slowly once they are comfortable with you. This happened to DH's dentist years ago, he sold out and new woman hit him with one of these lists. He started going to mine.