I went to my new dentist today. I was not impressed.

[LeftyMom]

I've gone to the same dental office since I was in grade school. A few years back my dentist retired, and a younger guy took over his practice, but I like him and the staff is mostly the same so I keep going to the same place I have for twenty years.

They don't take my current insurance. Not a huge deal, I don't mind paying $70 out of pocket for an exam and x rays, so I just go to them anyhow.

The problem is that I need my three remaining wisdom teeth removed (I had one that was causing pain out a bit under two years ago, but since I was paying cash I didn't have all four removed as was suggested) and I need a referral from my official dental care provider from my insurance to get that covered. Since I was due for an exam and cleaning anyhow, I scheduled the appointment.

1. Warning sign #1: "God Bless You!" on the phone answering message. Unless he's blessing me with good dental health, I'm not sure what that has to do with running a dental office.

2. Ads for some MLM scam health elixir (I don't really want to give them any publicity- something involving some weird berries) all over the office. A small LCD wall mount monitor in the waiting room advertising the stuff. Posters touting its benefits (apparently it cures every illness to which human flesh is heir AND increases sexual desire and performance :eyes: ) on every exam room wall and over the sink. Sample bottles sitting out. Nobody actually mentioned the stuff to me, but the dentist and his staff are all members of a linguistic and ethnic minority that I am not- I get the feeling the hard sell is reserved for members of their own community who would be more inclined to trust them.

3. They didn't even take x rays of my teeth. I got an exam and cleaning, and was told that "the doctor didn't see any cavities" and was sent on my way. No lecture on dental hygiene, no follow up appointment scheduled, no fluoride rinse or complimentary toothbrush. I got a quickie exam and was rushed out the door even though I was the first patient of the day and nobody else had even showed up yet. :wtf:

4. I was told that my three remaining wisdom teeth didn't need removed, and to call if they caused me any pain. Considering that I was told two years ago by one dentist and two oral surgeons that I should have all four removed (and didn't for financial reasons- that required a general and was going to cost as much as I paid for my car) I'm pretty sure this is BS. Especially since they all took x rays and all this guy did was scrape off my tartar build up.

I'm thinking that I should call my insurer to complain and request a different dentist. And that I still want my wisdom teeth out while it's covered. And that this guy is useless.

[nickinSTL]

1. got to say, the phone message would be enough

for me to request a different dentist, but the complete lack of full exam and appropriate treatment is absolutely grounds to demand a different dentist.

I sympathize with the situation, my insurance does cover at a reduced level, dentists out-of-network, but I can't afford to pay any more than I have to...and I haven't found a new dentist yet. The closest to where I live isn't in-network, of course. At least I'm not limited to one assigned dentist.

[LeftyMom]

2. I have totally craptastic insurance

I'd have dealt with the being totally Jezoid if the guy was a decent dentist, as my options for covered dentists are probably all crappy in some way, or they wouldn't be desparate enough for patients to take such a bargain basement plan.

It's not like I plan on seeing him regularly, I just need the oral surgery referral from an in-network dentist.

[raccoon]

3. I don't like the "god bless you" business either. but about your wisdom teeth,

I'm not in dentistry, but I believe dentists yank wisdom teeth nowadays the same way they removed kids' tonsils 4 decades (and longer) ago---just because they're there.

Any of the wisdom teeth that aren't causing you any problems, I'd reconsider whether to have them out.

I've still got one of mine.

[PassingFair]

6. I still have all of mine...

They still show up straight on the x-rays.

Years ago I had trouble with the gum "flap"
over the lowers, and they could have removed
the teeth....but I opted not to.

[LeftyMom]

7. My top two are impacted and my remaining lower one needs removed because it's crowding the rest.

If there were room the one that wasn't impacted could maybe stay, but they're going to have to knock me out to take out the two impacted ones anyhow, so I'm not sure what the point of keeping that one would be.

[datasuspect]

4. what do you have against ethnic minorities?

that's all i sussed from your post.

why would you link ethnic minority/mlm scam?

[csziggy]

5. Oh, man, this does not bode well for us finding a new dentist through our insurance!

We signed up for dental insurance for this year. When I checked the insurance web site for possible dentists, according to the Florida Division of Professional Regulation three were deceased, one had irregularities in his license (past offenses, had been suspended, might be re-instated, though that was not clear) and four are not listed as practicing at the addresses listed on the insurance web site. Oh, and my old dentist who retired several years ago because of terminal prostate cancer was still listed both places.

So I have not picked a new dentist yet. I tried out a new one in 2005 but will not go back. Faux Noise in the waiting room and listening to him rant about his right wing subjects while I can't respond did not endear him to me.

[LeftyMom]

8. So far I'm not thrilled with my options.

I couldn't get any information on any of the guys on my insurance company's list, so I picked the office closest to my house.

All this rigamarole to get a referral to an oral surgeon who has already evaluated me and who already has a referral on file from the practice that's seen me since before I had all of my adult teeth. Insurance companies. :eyes:

[csziggy]

11. Mine will let me use any dentist but then limits how much they will pay for

The insurance covers one cleaning/checkup per year and a percentage of other work for plan dentists. For non-plan dentists, they cover only part of the cleanings and about the same for other work.

I hate to put it off but it looks like I will have to anyway. I've got shoulder surgery scheduled for June 4 and right now an active herpes (possibly - still waiting on tests) in the hand on the other side. I don't want to get any work done until the herpes thing is under control. And if this stupid flu goes truly pandemic, who knows what will happen?

So I am thinking of waiting to go dentist hunting until my shoulder heals up. My teeth should survive until then - I hope!

[LeftyMom]

12. I'm SOL for non-emergency care from non-plan dentists.

I wouldn't even mind paying a non-plan dentist, but I have to have a referral from whoever they have on file as my primary care dentist.

I swear, I hate insurance companies so much. Between this and the doctor's office that never has appointments and sends me to the ER for minor crap (who is that saving money?) I think they are worse than useless.

[csziggy]

13. Insurance companies are the spawn of the devil!

I hate them with a passion. We went for years with no health insurance - though I had to pay over $12,000 to get a shoulder rebuilt.

I sent my husband to get a full time job off the farm with benefits and the timing was perfect - his insurance took effect immediately and three weeks later I blew out a knee. The next year I had a non-surgical outpatient procedure, then a hysterectomy. Two years later, it was the other knee. Now the other shoulder. Probably in a few years it will be knee replacement.

Unless we get universal health care of some kind, my dear husband will have to keep working until the last knee replacement. Otherwise, we won't be able to afford it - or we could pay for it and he's still have to work to support us in our old age since we would blow all our savings.

[Frosty1]

9. I hate to say it

But he may just be right about the wisdom teeth. If they are not crowding the rest of your teeth and you are having no problems with them why remove them? I once worked for an oral surgeon who said what a money maker the removal of wisdom teeth was for him. The day may come when you appreciate having an extra tooth or three. As we get older Teeth can start to break or we may lose them for other reasons. Sometimes having the wisdom teeth to anchor a bridge to can make all the difference between chewing or not.

Sometimes removing wisdom teeth and being circumcised have a lot in common. Both unnecessary.

[Frosty1]

10. Nevermind