What would you do? Re: Dental care.

[napi21]

My husband had good teeth at age 67, and the dentist recommended he get a "Technician thorough cleaning". He had the first part of it today and will get the second part in 2 weeks. Total cost $1,200! We talked about it and since I have had to have a lot of my teeth pulled, I told him to spend the $$ because it's important to keep his teeth as long as he can. So far so good (except for the cost which I still thing it over the top!)

When he came home today, he said they gave him a prescription antibiotic mouth wash to use for the next 2 weeks, but what bothered him was that he had no choice...they provided the mouth wash there and added $50.00 to the bill! I checked the internet, and chlorhexidine gluconate 0.12% appears to be a dental office product, but I could have bought the same pint he got for $7.50! I didn't check to see how much shipping was, but it sure couldn't have been $42.50!

I don't have a oribkem with a business making money! That's why they're there, but IMO this is outrageous!

This is my dentist too, and I still need several visits to him. I WANT to call and complain! What would YOU DO?

BTW, we're both retired and living on SS only.

[Horse with no Name]

1. what is a technician thorough cleaning?

Sounds like a huge scam to me.:shrug:

[napi21]

14. If you REALLY want to know, here's what they call it.

Intraoral-com<;ete series[br />Perio scale&root pin
Local deliv antimicrob ag

Resin composit

I didn't include the breakdown of UR LL UL because they all were the same procedure on diff. areas I think.

Hubby had this done about 15 years ago, and I guess we both thought it was a good thing.

[Horse with no Name]

23. I honestly never heard of one

Not sure what the emphasis you put on REALLY was for.:shrug:

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

41. perio scale - sounds like root canal + you getting screwed

When I moved to the town I am now in, I went to a new dentist.

He tried hard to sell me root canal, even had me sign a financing agreement.

I went home, thought about it, got a referral from a friend and went to a different
dentist.

Different dentist said there was nothing wrong with my teeth or gums.

Some are scam artists, yours sound like that.

Get away from him now, find some friends who can give good referral or
ask your GDP for a referral.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

2. For openers,

that cleaning program sounds like a lot of crap, and I would have skipped it, especially since his teeth were in good condition.

I'd certainly call and get the mouthwash knocked off the bill, but, to tell you the truth, I'd pass on the second half, and negotiate a markdown on the $600 already spent.

I think you're being ripped off. A cleaning every six months works for me, and I'm sure for your husband...................

[stopbush]

8. It could simply be what most dentists call a deep cleaning, where

they get up under the gumline to clean. I agree the cost seems high, but if a person has good teeth but hasn't had cleanings for a while, a deep cleaning can often get things back on a good track.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

12. I've had that done,

and I've got great teeth.

But twelve hundred bucks?

I don't think so.....................

[stopbush]

19. Yes, that sounds high, but the OP doesn't get into what all the

dentist was facing with this particular patient. It sounds to me like he could have been looking to nip some existing problems in the bud. A deep cleaning isn't a normal cleaning. It can involve anesthetic to numb the patient as the dentist is pulling back the gums. It often takes two treatments because the dentist can only numb one side of your face at a time.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

21. But the OP said the husband's teeth were

in really good shape.

I didn't have anything like numbing, just scaling and cleaning. I don't have any gum disease (knock wood), and if there's no sign of gum disease, why do the procedure? Especially with the risk of infection to an otherwise healthy patient?

It just sounds wrong to me..............

[stopbush]

26. Well, that's the opinion of a person who admitted to having

bad teeth and lots of dental problems of her own. The OP isn't a dentist, after all. What she thinks of as good shape could be seen in relation to her own teeth. The same teeth seen from the perspective of the dentist might have been a ticking time bomb.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

27. Good point..........

I just hope it all works out well for everyone ..........

[stopbush]

29. Agreed. I think the OP is getting decent advice from fellow DUers in this thread,

though it's hard to get specific with the sketchy info she provided.

[northofdenali]

3. I couldn't tell you what to do, unless there's a dental co-op nearby.

My last treatment of any type cost me $1200 out of pocket. I need further extensive work, caps, have a badly chipped front tooth, and I have a pissant policy that pays about $100 per year. I have no job (since 2004), no prospects, a mortgage........

Have you tried dental schools in your area (we have none)? Sometimes community health centers also provide dental care, on a sliding-fee basis (my husband makes $1800/month, so we make too much.)

Best of luck to you both.

[notadmblnd]

20. community colleges have dental programs too

they usually offer discounted dental care.

[stopbush]

22. Boy, I'd really advise against going to a dental school.

An older acquaintance of mine who needed tons of work done went the dental school route. It still cost her $18,000. Within a year, the work they did was falling apart. She ended up at a professional dentist and that cost her an additional $36,000. Luckily, she had come into some $, but the dental saga ate all of that up quickly.

Personally, I don't see the rationale in spending $20,000 on your teeth. If they're in such bad shape, why not opt for dentures? Sure, they're not the best, but they're relatively inexpensive. And if you're somebody who is on in years, why drop a ton of money simply to have great teeth to show in your coffin?

BTW - have you heard about this practice of celebrities getting all of their teeth capped for $70 - 80,000? I've heard that agents and studios go that way now with young stars who are getting legs in the film industry. Someone getting millions per picture is encouraged to get all of their teeth "fixed" once and for all. Straightened, capped etc. All you do is go in twice a year for the cleaning and an occasional whitening. No future of root canals, decay etc. Urban legend? Anyone know?

[northofdenali]

42. I'd gladly opt for dentures!

But at an approximate 12,500 for everything, it's also a bit beyond my reach.

[stopbush]

4. I'd call and complain.

My dentist is very good about options, and he always talks to me about the options before doing anything, including giving me the costs.

Your dentist should have told you the cost of that rinse. There might also be a generic version he could have prescribed. I think if you talk to him and explain the difference in cost he'll work with you.

[otohara]

5. Why Is This Proceedure Done?

Health reasons? how long will it last? why the antibiotic wash?

Use the Google and do some research. Be prepared before you call.

[stopbush]

15. Antibiotic wash is usually done if there's signs of gingivitis.

Her husband might have good teeth in spite of not taking care of them properly, like seeing a dentist twice a year. If he's able to get what amounts to a couple of years worth of care done in one fell swoop for $1200, he sounds lucky. Losing his good teeth by not doing anything could end up costing a lot more later.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

I tried googling

"Thorough Technician Cleaning," and found nothing.

It's a scam............

[madaboutharry]

6. What does the dentist mean by a "Technician thorough cleaning"?

I think you got soaked.

I get my teeth cleaned every 3 months by a dental hygienist who does a "thorough" cleaning. It cost $110 dollars.

[condoleeza]

7. Your dentist is a scumbag, don't hesitate a minute to report this

there are lots of good dentists out there, yours has no conscience.

[pkdu]

9. Both the cleaning AND the prescription are rip-offs!

...and I didn't think anyone can automatically fill your presciption without giving you the choice of taking it to Walgreen's (etc) yourself?

[NNN0LHI]

10. Did the dentist say anything about having gum disease?

[SPedigrees]

11. Our insurance pays for dental cleanings

but I've no doubt they are in the same price range. I'd definitely use the rinse and also request a course of oral antibiotics. Bits of dental plaque can enter the bloodstream easily during a dental cleaning and cause serious infections and/or heart problems.

The cost of dental procedures has risen along with "regular" medicine so I know your predicament. I've been putting off a root canal for 2 years now because even with insurance paying a good portion, I'm looking at over a grand in dental bills.

[OhioChick]

13. I assume that you mean a "scaling" done when you say "Technician thorough cleaning?"

I had this done a while back and had a similar experience. I was charged a ridiculous amount for the mouthwash/rinse that was used in the office. They're always giving you all sorts of "rinses" (mouthwash, fluoride, etc.) so I didn't know what it was.

When I got the bill, I called the office and said that I did not consent to this rinse and they removed the charge from the bill. Maybe calling the office will help....be nice, it helps. :)

Good luck.

[NC_Nurse]

16. You could get a crown for that much!!! That sounds like a scam. I would look

into this procedure and whether they have overcharged you. If so, complain immediately, first to them and if no action, go to dental board or BBB.

[stopbush]

28. ??? But he didn't need a crown, he needed a cleaning.

What's your point?

[NC_Nurse]

36. That's outrageous. That's my point. Crowns are really expensive...and so was

that "super" cleaning. I'm having a hard time understanding why. But maybe it's just something I've never heard of before , which is why I suggested they look into it.

I suppose you're right, though...they are totally different things. The only connection is dentistry. At least I didn't compare it to a knee replacement. :P

[sandnsea]

17. A planing and scaling for peridontal disease

Could be that much. Otherwise you're being ripped off big time.

[stopbush]

30. I think you hit the nail on the head with the periodontal disease.

Unless the OP provides more background - like a history of her husband's recent dental care and the diagnosis he received before undergoing this treatment - we're all shooting in the dark.

[notadmblnd]

18. call and complain

my Dr. has 2 prices for office visits. he charges people with insurance 86 dollars and people without insurance 45. Well my insurance doesn't cover office visits and when I complained about being charged 86 dollars, he cut the price to 45.

You can complain and do it nicely.

[sarge43]

24. FWIW napi21

I had my teeth cleaned last month (I get mine done twice a year). Cost me $88.00.

What were you charged for your husband's previous cleaning?

1. Get a detailed explanation of the procedure and how it is different than a normal cleaning.

2. Find out why this procedure is necessary.

3. Find out why you weren't informed of the cost.

4. Find out why Listerine wouldn't work just as well. It is an antibiotic.

5. If you have to live with this bill, insist on spaced out payments.

6. Get another dentist

[marybourg]

25. I needed that rinse after an extraction; it's an "antimicrobial", but

my dentist gave me an Rx which cost me only a $10 copay to fill at CVS. In my insurance plan, that means it's an inexpensive Rx

[kcass1954]

40. Better yet - it's on the $4 list at Target. n/t

[tammywammy]

31. I had scaling done a year or so ago

If that's what you mean by deep cleaning. I had a gum infection, I thought it was a tooth ache but after two days, realized it wasn't going away and headed straight to the dentist. Then they did the scaling. I know it wasn't $12000. I now have my teeth cleaned every 3 months (I'm a plaque making fool!) and if it's not covered by the insurance it's only $60. They give me the special fluoride mouthwash and that's only $18.

I dunno what exactly your husband had done, but it sounds pretty expensive to me.

[sandnsea]

32. It's more if peridontal disease is present

If you don't have peridontal disease it's much less expensive. I know this because I have it and can't afford to get the treatments.

[tammywammy]

33. Ahh, well that makes sense

I just had an infection and now get my teeth cleaned every 3 months.

[zalinda]

34. Having read the thread, good teeth does not equal good gums

I'm am having to have to go through the technician thorough cleaning. I have good teeth and bone (I know because the dentist refused to pull them to put in dentures if it would have been cheaper.), but I have some problems with my gums. The dentist when checking your teeth check to see how much space there is between your tooth and your gum. If there is too much space, it means that plaque has gotten in below the gum line and much be removed by a technician, not just someone who would regularly clean your teeth. Yes, they do one side at a time and they go way below the gum line to descale the tooth. Why is this necessary? It's because bacteria can get in below your gum line and start a really bad party in the there. Gum disease can cause heart problems, bone loss in you jaw, and your teeth eventually will fall out because your gums have receded to far and can't help hold them in.

If you value your health, and your teeth, you will get it done when needed. Unfortunately, when we get older, we do tend to have more problems with our mouth, as with every other part of our body.

As for the dental rinse, I would call the office and tell them that you think they made a mistake because you priced the mouth wash on line for $7.50, and that they must have mistakenly moved the decimal point on your bill.

zalinda

[timeforpeace]

35. Are you scared to complain? Just do it.

[AngryOldDem]

37. Sounds like they're taking advantage, IMO.

Next time I'd just tell them thanks, but no thanks. Just because they recommend it doesn't mean it's necessary.

[sarcasmo]

38. Peroxyl is what I use and probably what he got and you can buy it at Target for about ten bucks.

[Raine]

39. I just had a deep cleaning done a couple of weeks ago

it cost $620, they did half my mouth. I thought that was the total cost but maybe when I go back I have to pay that much again.