My kids' dentist

[civic82]

Just found out that my 2 boys had quite a few cavities that require immediate attention. My regular dentist referred me to another specialist because they are too young for her to perform the fillings and operations. The dentist I was referred to is specialized for that. I am not going to mention her name ( maybe the sex ). She operates near Fairview Mall.

Turned out that the damage is around $4600. It's a one time operation where my kids will be knocked out cold by anaesthetics. That alone costs $1050 per child. Even though my company covers most of it, I'd still have to chip in about $800. So I kindly asked if the doctor is willing to charge me a little less on the deductibles.

NO

OK, what the heck, right? I didn't discipline the kids enough to look after their teeth. It's my fault and I am paying for it now. What's more important than my kids? I just visit the MP's and SP's a few less times.

The doctor can submit the claims electronically & get the coverage sent to her within a week. I just received the cheque on the examination charge they submitted last Wednesday. I've done it many times before. If the charges are submitted electronically, it takes one week to be re-imbursed, MAX. So I thought all I need is to pay her the deductible, right?

WRONG

I need to pay her up front with the freaking $4600 & get the claims later......like in a week. It's not that I can't afford the money. It's the fact that she has no heart in these situation that upsets me. Everything is by the book with no sympathies whatsoever. Dentists......maybe I should have my kids to study and be dentists but I will definately tell them to give parents the break in these kind of situation.

That's my beef & thanks for your time!

 

[papasmerf]

be happy you have any coverage at all
Most Americans pay out of pocket for dental work, at a rate of 100%

 

[WhaWhaWha]

And the really sickening part is that your kids dentist really overcharges. She probably sets her rates so high because she knows you are insured. had you told her you were paying cash she would have charged a differen rate. It's all up to the dentist. In fact when I was down and out a few years ago I found a dentist who was willing to do my cleanings and X rays for nothing. he does a few pro bonos per year. I am now well insured and he gets all of my family's business.

 

[zanner69]

be happy you have any coverage at all
Most Americans pay out of pocket for dental work, at a rate of 100%

and he should be happy he doesn't live in England!!!

 

[papasmerf]

I recently had a bad bout with acid reflux. The first question my doctor asks me "Do you have a drug plan?" Yes, I do. The prescription was very expensive. I wonder what I would have gotten if I did not have a drug plan and would it have worked as well.

You would have gotten a less expensive cure

 

[tboy]

And the really sickening part is that your kids dentist really overcharges. She probably sets her rates so high because she knows you are insured. had you told her you were paying cash she would have charged a differen rate. It's all up to the dentist. In fact when I was down and out a few years ago I found a dentist who was willing to do my cleanings and X rays for nothing. he does a few pro bonos per year. I am now well insured and he gets all of my family's business.

Sorry, they don't overcharge...their rates (other than orthodontics etc) are based on a standard set rate by the CDA and various organizations. Now this isn't to say that there are some that charge a little more or less for the elite, but if you call up or see 99 dentists in toronto, 97 of them will be the same rate for cleaning, fillings etc.

Your second point, doesn't matter what she wants to charge, one's insurance company has set rates they pay out for ALL services....so just because he is insured, she can't charge more, unless she back charges the customer....

As for her getting paid upfront, that is 100% complete bullshit and I'd take my business elsewhere. If you talk to her and say I will give you the deductible, we will proceed. But as for the complete charge? Tell her to get stuffed...in THOSE terms...

Dude, I don't know what you've been doing with your kids but I have to ask: how old are they? I drink a lot of pop and I haven't had $4600.00 worth of work in my entire LIFE..

 

[baci2004]

Tboy my brother you are wrong. You would be hard pressed to find a dentist that doesn't have 2 rate structures. You'll see when others start posting.

 

[civic82]

.......Dude, I don't know what you've been doing with your kids but I have to ask: how old are they? I drink a lot of pop and I haven't had $4600.00 worth of work in my entire LIFE..

I honestly don't know, guy! They are 5 and 6. She told me they are from the inside out. $2100 is for the anaesthetics because she is performing a one time operation. I can save that by having them done in 4 visits, once a week. She told me that usually the kids get scared after the first time & they will give you hard time on the next visits. It makes things easier if I am covered for the anaesthetics. I cannot choose my time & I had to get off work to bring them there. So I am ok with the extra $200 on anaesthetics.

I was told before the referral that she charges premium over regular dentists because of she is a kids specialist. I also saw a sign over the counter that they charge premiums. My insurance company also provided detailed coverage when the estimates are sent in. They didn't covered the whole 90% I normally had because of the premiums.

I am just pissed off that she didn't even let me pay only the deductible. Where's the sympathies here? My regular dentist does so I don't why she can't do the same. Just baffles me!

 

[budweiser3]

We have had the same type of work done with our little guys and it didn't cost half of what you are being asked to pay. They too had to have their teeth worked on in the O.R. of a hospital due to age (3 and 4 years old),the amount of work required (filling cavities and the complete rebiult of front teeth), and the dentist explaining that it is much easier and less stressful on a child if they are asleep when getting it done. The dentist was fine with his work being paid for through my workplace dental plan and the delay of a few days for him being paid until the paperwork went through. He is located approx. 2 hrs. north of T.O. Feel free to PM me if interested in any other info.

 

[civic82]

I am

be happy you have any coverage at all......

but that's not what I am trying to say here. It's like telling me that I am lucky to have a job when I am trying to say that I am underpaid compared to others in the same field..........

 

[civic82]

I agree 100%

Tboy my brother you are wrong. You would be hard pressed to find a dentist that doesn't have 2 rate structures. You'll see when others start posting.

The first thing you hear when visiting a new dentist is this.
"DO YOU HAVE A PLAN?"
I have switched a few dentists over the years but I have yet to hear something different.
Before I had any coverage, I get the cleaning in 15 minutes & off I go. I am not even welcome in the office.
Once I have coverage, I get X-rays, thi$ and that. They want to $ee if my wi$dom teeth have been removed, and recently, teeth whitening, bleaching and all that jazz.
I don't mind because I am sure they are also giving discounts to those who don't have coverage. So if they want to take a few more x-rays because I am covered, I am cool with it.
But still, this one just ticked me off a little.

 

[civic82]

Thanks..........

........ Feel free to PM me if interested in any other info.

.........for the offer, Bud! It's just that I already had the pre-examination done with her. I really don't want to and pay and go through another one of those & perhaps further delay the appointments.
Oh BTW, I paid $230 upfront for the pre-examination. I've already got the reimbursements back but that's a week later, of course.

 

[tboy]

.........for the offer, Bud! It's just that I already had the pre-examination done with her. I really don't want to and pay and go through another one of those & perhaps further delay the appointments.
Oh BTW, I paid $230 upfront for the pre-examination. I've already got the reimbursements back but that's a week later, of course.

Dude, unless your insurance won't cover you if you go for another pre-exam, I'd do it. And if they won't cover it call them up and say, I have a dentist that will do it for half the price....do you want me to go to him or the one that is double? I don't care...it's YOUR money.....

As for two rate schedules, I totally agree. They try to cut costs etc if you don't have coverage but that (in my mind) means they are discounting the standard fees for me...but they DO have set fees. Just check your dental insurance....and other plans online. I bet you will find they are all identical to what they pay out for various procedures....

But also, Like I said b4, there will be dentists that cater to the elite who will charge over the insured rate. But in this case, the insurance IS covering his current dentist fees so, do you think that are within the set fees of the insurance company or not? They wouldn't cover it if they didn't or weren't...

BTW I may has mispoke when I used the term "set" fees. I should say these are "maximum" fees....as set out by the CDA. What do you think all these dentists do when they go to conventions? One of the things is discuss the current rate schedule and either raise, lower or leave it alone....believe me, I've been to them (I was in the trade show business for 12 yrs and read some of the material being discussed)

 

[yoniluvrca]

I do not have kids, but I once was one and I remember losing most of my teeth between the ages of about 4 & 9 or 10. We had some thing going with the tooth fairy where by we could leave the tooth in question under the pillow and receive cash.

So my question is, why do 5 & 6 year olds need such extensive dental care. Are they not going to lose those teeth and grow new, adult teeth?

Or am I way off with my timing with regards to losing baby teeth?

 

[james t kirk]

I had to have my wisdom teeth pulled out in 1996, so we are going back 10 years, but,

They quoted me $1,000.00 on the phone to knock me out and pull the teeth (by splitting the rotted ones.)

Anyway, when the good Dr. found out I didn't have dental coverage, he dropped his quote to $600.00 to pull all four (4) wisdom teeth.

Now, explain to me why your's is so expensive?

Also, be glad you have any coverage, or don't have shitty coverage.

I am now working at a place that has a dental plan (so called) but they will only pay up to a yearly max of $1,500.00.

There are more things that ARE NOT covered, than are covered.

So, you having to pay a few hundred bucks, in the grand scheme of things for $4,600.00 aint bad, cause I would have to pay about $4,000 I am sure.

 

[james t kirk]

Probably the result of kids not drinking tap water like we did when we were kids and getting all the flouride.

Not to mention the flouride treatments we used to get at school and at the dentist to boot.

 

[civic82]

Because

........So my question is, why do 5 & 6 year olds need such extensive dental care. Are they not going to lose those teeth and grow new, adult teeth?
Or am I way off with my timing with regards to losing baby teeth?

I think it affects the gum & you will have worse adult teeth. In severe cases, it affects speech patterns and other gum diseases.

 

[civic82]

James, you are right

I am grateful that I am covered by my company. Don't get me wrong. I am not bitching about paying $800. Yes, I asked for a discount on my deductible but wouldn't anyone have done the same thing? I am sure you will.

It's expensive because she is bringing in an anesthetician to her office to perform this. The cost can almost cut to half if I choose to pay 4 separate visits to cut the anesthetician cost. Then again, I had to either leave early or take vacation off work to take my boys which I really can't afford to do. So my wife & I have decided to chip in that extra $200.

My 6 year old has SIX cavities, 4 of them require fillings and 2 of them require crowns which will cost me $1500. The dentist has to remove the top half of the bad tooth & put a silver crown on top of it. BLING BLING!!!
My 5 year old has FOUR cavities all of which requires fillings. $1000
Anesthetics for 2 kids, 2 x $1050 & voila!

 

[GirlFriends Toronto]

I am grateful that I am covered by my company. Don't get me wrong. I am not bitching about paying $800. Yes, I asked for a discount on my deductible but wouldn't anyone have done the same thing? I am sure you will.

It's expensive because she is bringing in an anesthetician to her office to perform this. The cost can almost cut to half if I choose to pay 4 separate visits to cut the anesthetician cost. Then again, I had to either leave early or take vacation off work to take my boys which I really can't afford to do. So my wife & I have decided to chip in that extra $200.

My 6 year old has SIX cavities, 4 of them require fillings and 2 of them require crowns which will cost me $1500. The dentist has to remove the top half of the bad tooth & put a silver crown on top of it. BLING BLING!!!
My 5 year old has FOUR cavities all of which requires fillings. $1000
Anesthetics for 2 kids, 2 x $1050 & voila!

Baby teeth?

 

[civic82]

I know I know

Baby teeth?

There's a technical term for baby teeth but I am not a dentist so.....baby teeth it is.
Anyone knows?