How do I challenge a dentist charge?

tonka on 26/03/2014 - 16:00

Needed a filling and there was a long wait to see my regular guy.
Went to a new practice and asked if I could get a filling done without a checkup.
Was told yes and made an appointment on those conditions
The next day saw the dentist and said I only want a filling done. The dentist said must check your other teeth first.
I agreed and said very specifically only if I can get the filling done.
After checkup Dentist tells me yes I do need a filling but will only do after I have changed to a person who never drinks anything but water,(now I know why there was no wait for appointment)and definately not today.

Was cranky and stupidly I paid on the way out.
Later it occurred to me maybe I shouldn't have paid as not the service I agreed to.

Can I do anything, cost me $135 for nothing. I have many other things I need to spend that money on, like an actual filling..

General Discussion

Comments

  • ilostnemo on 26/03/2014 - 16:12
    -4

    I have many other things I need to spend that money on, yes can of cokes are $16 for 24

    It is a standard practice for dentist to check everything, maybe they do as a cautionary.

    When the dentist said "must check your other teeth first" , you had an option.

    BTW you did agree to the service, and he will gladly take your $200 for the filling next time.

    • tonka on 26/03/2014 - 16:33
      +10

      I think it fair for me to ask. I have stated facts and asked for facts not assumptions and nastiness.
      Why do you feel the need to be a nasty person when replying.
      Are you that un-empowered in your own world you need to pick fights and put people down anonymously in forums.

      I specified the types of things I need to spend money on, didn't say anything about Coke.
      When Dentist said check other teeth I agreed conditionally. Or were you so anxious to try and make someone feel bad you skipped that part.
      No she won't take my $200, apparently she only works with people who drink water exclusively. No coffee , nothing else.

      So self-rightous person do you drink nothing besides water ever? Or didn't you read that either.

      • p1 ama on 26/03/2014 - 18:10

        If you had an issue, you should have taken it up before the dentist examined your teeth. Either way, they provided a service, you paid for it, you can't get your money back.

        • tonka on 26/03/2014 - 18:14
          +3

          Another poor reader. I did that. I obtained specific agreement of what would be done. This wasn't disputed by the Clinic.

        • p1 ama on 26/03/2014 - 21:43
          +4

          Why did you pay then? Being cranky is not an excuse. You have paid, end of story. If you want the money back, and they do not oblige, take them to court.

      • ilostnemo on 26/03/2014 - 21:23
        +4

        Whoa, Back the truck up, my comment was in jest.

        I find it rather odd that a dentist would say that about water, maybe recommend it.

        If everyone did drink water, the number of patients dentists have would probably be a 1/3rd

        I apologize if you took offence, it wasn't my intention.

        • tonka on 27/03/2014 - 01:30
          -2

          Cool forgiven then.

      • [Deactivated] on 27/03/2014 - 18:04

        I do not know exactly what transpired between you and the dentist, but I will shed some light as to the possible reason for the dentist's decisions.

        1) some teeth are not worth restoring as most people are unlikely to be able to keep them clean enough for it to be problem free. The most common case is wisdom teeth.

        2) some materials are not tolerant to high acid conditions which are produced by high sugar intake. If a patient asks for such materials to be used when it isn't advisable under those circumstance, a change in diet is advised.

        3) if there was a failed filling on the tooth and a patient wishes to have the same filling put in, chances are, you end up with the same results. A wise practitioner will not fall for the same mistake someone else has committed and hence would have to decline the provision of the specific treatment specified by the patient.

        Ask for the clinical notes from the dentist if you are unsure why you were denied treatment.

  • ribby on 26/03/2014 - 16:35

    Why not Haggle with the dentist?

    You be surprised but dentists in Australia are commission based on the fee they charge!

    • tonka on 26/03/2014 - 16:37

      I tried, they agreed I said I wouldn't accept a checkup unless a filling was done. Told me I had to pay anyway as the checkup was done even though they declined to do a filling.
      Dentist was very young and I think a locum.

  • PissLUR on 26/03/2014 - 16:46
    +2

    you shouldnt have paid. and now that you have paid, I dont think you can get that money back.

  • crazymofo on 26/03/2014 - 16:48
    +6

    I think they should have disclosed that they only do work on H2o drinkers only in the first place. waste of time and money !!

  • KBZ on 26/03/2014 - 16:49
    +2

    only do after I have changed to a person who never drinks anything but water,

    Wait wait, so this dentist wouldn't even proceed with the filling unless you changed to your habits and stop drinking anything but WATER???

    Sounds quite unfair on you since he/she proceed to decline you the filling after the check up when a simple question whether you drank anything other then water was necessary.

    I have no experience in this but I wonder if lodging a complaint will help in your case?
    http://www.hccc.nsw.gov.au/Complaints/How-to-make-a-complain…

    • tonka on 26/03/2014 - 17:15
      +1

      Thanks for the link.

      That's what they said. Not even coffee allowed. After being a long term heavy smoker until 6 months ago, I know my teeth aren't as pretty as they could be.
      I already don't drink alcohol or coffee, I think that is enough clean living.

  • sm007h on 26/03/2014 - 17:09
    +1

    You really cannot compare medical service providers with other types of services. Just because you say you only want a filling for that particular tooth it does not mean the dentist has to do exactly what you say. The dentist is still responsible for that tooth and any treatments that occur on that tooth, and if there were other issues with that tooth and/or if the best course of treatment was anything other than the filling, then the dentist would be considered negligent of his/her duty of care.

    A proper dentist would assess your case as a brand new patient, assuming nothing and having to do his/her own investigation before offering a treatment plan. I would not go to a dentist that would follow a treatment plan that I offer him.

    • tonka on 26/03/2014 - 17:20

      Agree with all you have said. Some of these things I asked raised before I made the appointment.

      ie A lot of dentists won't do a filling without a checkup first.I know I have a tooth that needs a filling can you do this without a checkup. Was told yes.

    • samfisher5986 on 26/03/2014 - 17:21

      I think you have got things mixed up.

      A hospital is responsible to keep you alive, even if you disagree.

      Its not illegal to have bad teeth, the dentist needs to do what you asked and nothing else, they can't tack on other charges if you don't want those services.

      • sm007h on 26/03/2014 - 23:05
        +3

        It isn't as simple as that. Let me run a hypothetical with you. Say the dentist follow a treatment requested by the patient and that treatment may not be appropriate. Down the track, the patient will go to another dentist and pay an added expense to fix the same tooth with a more appropriate treatment.

        The patient is now out of pocket twice for the same tooth. A litigious patient will then sue the first dentist for providing the wrong treatment. The Australian Dental Board will not take look on the dentist favourably if his defence is he was following the patient's advice on the course of treatment. The medical indemnity insurer will also try to blame the dentist so they do not have to pay for costs.

        Why? Seriously, the dentist went through five years of medical training, and yet for some strange reason, he must take it on face value that the patient knows best on how to treat a tooth?

        Medicos and dentists have been sued for less logical reasons than this and have lost.

        • samfisher5986 on 26/03/2014 - 23:18

          Yes but the OP already mentioned the story and it doesn't count under what you said.

          A filling is a filling

        • tonka on 27/03/2014 - 01:33

          Aye, this is all fair and I would have taken it as such which is why I discussed at length and was very specific before making the appointment.

        • ThisJustin on 27/03/2014 - 13:35
          +2

          I think the point is that the dentist or receptionist should never have agreed to skip the regular check-up in the first place.

          They've essentially agreed to something and then when the patient came in changed the terms. The OP could have called another dentist had they have known that particular dentist wouldn't skip the check-up.

          The dentist could have noted in the invoice/paperwork that the patient specifically requested that a general check-up be skipped and had the patient sign it.

          The water comment is weird. I don't know if the dentist was joking but frankly some dentists will lecture & condescend to patients for half of the appointment.

          Dentists seem to be going into the same sort of unethical territory as I.T. specialists and mechanics: if you're an ignorant consumer you accept whatever they tell you needs to be done and you have no expertise to challenge any of the work.

        • tonka on 27/03/2014 - 23:37

          I think you have a really good grasp of what happened. More than half the consultation was a lecture that anything besides water is bad. Sounded rehearsed a little as well like maybe straight from an exam answer.
          My objection is that I obtained a specific agreement with both the receptionist and dentist.
          They have reneged but feel entitled to charge me anyway.

          My question was how can I challenge the payment I made.

        • ilostnemo on 28/03/2014 - 11:12
          +1

          What would of happened if the dentist, did exactly what the paitent asked, drilled into the tooth, the tooth broke and end result, root canal therapy. $2,500.00 and ongoing expenses.

          You goto a doctor/hospital with a problem, and the doctor will usually test a few other things.

          The same happens with mechanics and a lot of other services.

          The problem is the patient isn't always right.

          The OP isn't to blame, and maybe dentist should inform customers that other than emergency services a checkup is required first.

        • Smulder on 28/03/2014 - 11:32
          +2

          I don't think anyone would be opposed to the dentist doing checks and x-rays of the particular tooth in question prior to drilling it. That would be part of the procedure for getting the filling. If the dentist finds the tooth has more extensive issues they can inform the patient prior to commencing and they can decide then what is the best option going forward.

          What the OP objects to, I think reasonably, is going in for an agreed filling, but instead receiving a 'general checkup' and lecture and being charged $135 for the privilege.

          To use your mechanic comparison, it would be like going to a mechanic for an agreed repair of the brake pads, but instead the mechanic changes the oil and does a general inspection of the car and then charges you for it. Meanwhile, your brake pads still need to be fixed.

        • ilostnemo on 28/03/2014 - 13:03
          +1

          You want the tooth, you can't handle the tooth.

          I would rather a thorough dentist, than one who took the word of the patients.

          To use your mechanic example, I'd rather that than driving home and my engine blows up.
          If that did happen, I'm sure you would have a case against the mechanic for negligence. Not that it would happen, as my service centre as a courtesy does this. (I know I pay for it at the end)

        • Tech5 on 30/03/2014 - 00:54
          +1

          I seriously doubt that is the case. The key issue here we must look at is informed consent. If the patient is given all the information regarding the treatment in terms of pros/cons, as well as given a dentist recommendation saying other wise, but still picks differently, then he has given informed consent. When a patient gives informed consent, the consequences of that treatment is their own.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/03/2014 - 17:47
    +2

    The "only if you drink water" thing is bizarre. Wanna name where this dentists surgery is? Or suburb at least?

    I'm curious as I'm always on the hunt for a good dentist and have had bad luck all over Sydney so far. I don't really want to come across this one by chance lol.

    • tonka on 26/03/2014 - 18:12
      +2

      I think they call themselves Casula Dental clinic.

      I know what you mean about finding a good one. Let me know if you do.

  • itajac on 26/03/2014 - 19:47
    +4

    Write a formal complaint to the dental clinic explaining the situation and the terms under which you made the appointment and clearly state what you want done about it eg.refund. Ring the Australian Dental Association and see what they advice aswell. In Vic a check up and even an xray are part of diagnosing a problem and charged accordingly along with any other treatment required,but the water thing is very strange and should have been disclosed to you when making appointment or by dentist before going ahead with check up. All the best.

    • tonka on 27/03/2014 - 01:35

      Thanks, good advice. It was the water thing that got me.
      Cause they didn't just take my money and tell me to come back, they basically took my money and said don't come back.

      • Candour on 27/03/2014 - 07:19
        +1

        we just can't trust any con men pretending to be professionals
        ethics is a lack in society and we are not taught this in school or life or work or relationships
        governments which support businesses at all costs dont regulate for the public interest

  • WaywardOne on 27/03/2014 - 08:10

    I asked a Dentist to re-attach a retaining wire to my bottom teeth. Same story as the OP — my regular dentist was busy and this one was available immediately.
    The whole procedure only took 15 minutes, but the bill was for $550. I complained to my private health insurer, but they just said "You'll have to ask the dentist yourself".
    I ended up giving up. I didn't know what to do — did I have to argue with the dentist? I think he did all the things he billed me for, but it seemed unreasonable to pay $550 for 15 minutes of work (and a bit of glue)

  • boccos on 27/03/2014 - 08:43
    +1

    If a dentist says they will give you a written quote then be assured that it WILL be expensive. Once my normal dentist in the practice was away on holidays and I was forced to attend another in the same practice I got quoted over $800 for two fillings plus over $300 for that days work. I waited to have the other fillings completed by my normal dentist who charged $180 for the two.
    Get to know your dentist, talk to them, build a relationship over time. Buy the staff flowers, your dentist some wine. They have some terrible days like everyone has, and a kind gesture is often very much appreciated and remembered.

    • Candour on 27/03/2014 - 11:26
      +1

      bribe them?
      for doing their job?
      for which they charge the earth?
      really?

      better find a good health fund which has its own dental clinics which charge you honestly and even less than scale fees.
      talk to the funds and the staff before you go in and find out how they do business at their own clinics.

      my dentist was nice starting out but recently contemptuous when my fund had limited credit.
      so I will travel to my fund's clinic even though it is in lithgow
      westfund!

      • [Deactivated] on 27/03/2014 - 17:57

        Private health funds are trying to corporatize medicine and dentistry, so they will do what Wollies and Coles did when they first entered the market, run at minimal margins. Once most of your local medicos are out of business, they'll change their pricing policy/availability and you'll lose the reason why you're seeing a private practitioner to begin with, choice!

        There is also a massive conflict of interest for the private health fund owned clinics. The reason why this is allowed is beyond me, but I am sure it has something to do with exchange of money under the table. If the funds who take your money are also the ones who employ the dentist, who in turn trickle the money back to you, it is safe to say that the policy of the clinic would be to provide the cheapest (and not necessarily the appropriate) treatment. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a quota the dentists have to stay under. The less work they can get away with doing, without you noticing in the short term, the more they are likely to climb the corporate ladder.

      • ncmx5 on 28/03/2014 - 21:05

        Not a smart move to skimp on this. Not saying all corporate dentists are bad or of poor quality, i know many are great! But remember, the corps have dictate the prices (hence you pay no gap) - i.e. Normal non-preferred clinic say charges $160 for a clean.., health fund will rebate you $110 and you pay a $50 gap. For a preferred clinic, you pay no gap, so the clinic gets paid only $110. Now in order to operate any business, you need to run at a certain $x/hr to maintain good staff, materials, rent etc. So the guy who only gets $110 per hour, will obviously have to skimp on time etc, so they will have to do a clean in say 20-30min to maintain compared to 45min for the guy who gets $160 an hour. And remember, the dentist doesn't get get the whole $110 or whatever, they get a percentage, like $30-40. It isn't that great.

  • srhardy on 27/03/2014 - 11:27
    +1

    make a formal complaint via the link someone provided and if you feel strongly enough take time out to picket them, bet you will get a refund before the day was out (saturdays are good time to make you point) if the formal is ignored

    • tonka on 27/03/2014 - 23:39

      That is so tempting. I live across the road, maybe I can just put the picket sign on my fence.

  • [Deactivated] on 27/03/2014 - 12:23

    Also, how long are you supposed to now be a water-drinker before your cavity can be filled? A month? A year?

    I don't think that you can tell the dentist to just do the filling without them looking at the rest of your teeth (which in my mind is called a check-up) for the reasons mentioned above, but I hardly think that they should be able to reject you as a patient for a treatment that you do require just because you may need similar treatment down the track.

  • ilostnemo on 27/03/2014 - 12:27

    The last time, I went to a dentist, was when I had some pain from cold and hot objects, so I assumed I needed a feeling,

    I booked an appointment and received one the next day,due to a cancellation.

    The dentist was new to me, and we had a bit of a chat, she did a check up and took some xrays.

    The end result was I didn't need a feeling, she did the xrays to make sure there wasn't damage she couldn't see.

    She did a scale and clean, and my fund picked up the tab.

    If my dentist said "I will only see you if you've changed your ways" I'd reply "I am now a changed man/woman"

    I think they said this in jest.

  • mousie on 27/03/2014 - 14:11
    +1

    Bikies

  • Smulder on 27/03/2014 - 16:27
    +3

    I have been to a number of dentists over the years and it is very rare that you meet a dentist who doesn't treat you like a 7 year old child.

    They seem genuinely shocked to learn that I did not come to see them because I like getting a lecture about oral hygiene, I came because I want them to fix the hole in my tooth.

    Yes, I am well aware why the hole is there, I am 35 years old and have had the same lecture many many times. It is my choice if I live a lifestyle that destroys my teeth. Just fix the tooth and I will pay you. Keep the disapproving scowls to yourself.

    Thankfully I have now found a great dentist who does what you ask without the moral grandstanding and charges reasonably. Worth their weight in gold!

    • leiiv on 27/03/2014 - 21:33
      +1

      Can you recommend your dentist here?

      • Smulder on 28/03/2014 - 08:14

        They are on the Central Coast of NSW, if that is local to anyone happy to recommend via PM :)

    • Tech5 on 30/03/2014 - 00:57
      +1

      We are actually required to give you preventative advice if we see cavities in your teeth. If we don't, then the patient can sue us later for negligence.

  • p1 ama on 27/03/2014 - 16:50
    +4

    All of the ignorant posts here just hurt my eyes.

    Dentists don't "lecture" people about how to live their lives because they want to, they actually have a moral and legal obligation to be giving you that information, otherwise, they are in breach of their responsibilities as a health practitioner and can actually be sued if they do not give accurate and sufficient information.

    It is much the same thing with doctors or any other person who is in a position of responsibility.

    It doesn't take a genius to understand that the dentist will want you to have as many fillings as possible, they're making money, so when they do give you information about lifestyle changes, it is because they are being responsible.

    I am not a dentist, however, I did study medicine for a couple of years at university before pursuing another career.

    • Smulder on 27/03/2014 - 17:01
      +3

      There is a difference between giving someone information vs the patronising lecturing of most dentists I have encountered. Perhaps they need to work on their attitude. Give someone the facts and let them decide, don't treat them like they are a child.

      • sm007h on 27/03/2014 - 17:19

        Some people are just not good communicators - so while they may appear patronising, they are really just trying to fulfil their legal obligations.

        I would stick out my neck and say, while you may be happy with your dentist, I probably won't be too comfortable with a dentist that follows what I ask, instead of depending on their own university training and years of professional experience.

        • kwaker on 27/03/2014 - 18:13
          +1

          I'd like to know in which law they are required to give this specific lecture to people?

          Legal obligation - doesn't sound right. I don't think they are legally obligated to educate people.

        • p1 ama on 27/03/2014 - 18:18
          +1

          I completely agree with this. They are just fulfilling their legal obligations and part of that obligation is that they must ensure you actually understand what they are telling you.

          By all means, don't listen to them if you don't want, but if they are giving you legitimate health information, don't tell them off for it because even though you might not want to hear it, other people may.

          You might find that a dentist who tells you that you shouldn't drink coke is patronising, but maybe another person who isn't aware of the effects that coke can have on their teeth finds it useful information.

          If you don't like it, just don't listen, they tell you those things not only because they have a legal obligation, but because they also have a duty of care.

          If they didn't they'd just not tell you so that they could do as many fillings as they can and make even more money. I'm not sure which dentist you would prefer, I would find it particularly sad to live in a world where health practitioners did not give general life advice to improve the health of their patients.

        • itajac on 03/04/2014 - 10:58

          Kwaker it is called duty of care or so I have been told by dentist I worked with.

    • endotherm on 27/03/2014 - 21:02

      I wonder if they are giving you this "lifestyle information" it is so that they can charge you for Dietary Advice (Item 131) or Oral hygiene instruction (Item 141). I'm sure I have been stung $100 before for that, just for "Make sure you brush your teeth up and down and across the back of your molars". I've been brushing my teeth for many years thank you very much, indeed I don't need to be lectured like a 7 year old!

      And Scale and Clean is the dental equivalent of "do you want fries with that?". Generally just an upsell to make more money out of you.

      • [Deactivated] on 28/03/2014 - 19:27
        +1

        Most practitioners charge items that are a bit arbitrary, such as the Dietary Advice or Oral Hygiene Instructions to recuperate the cost from the patient's insurance company so that the patient has to pay a smaller gap. If they were going to charge, let's say $1,000 for the day's treatment, they would put through as many item numbers as possible and still tally up the bill to $1,000. Not all practitioners do that, some just try to extort as much money as possible, but I'd like to think most practitioners do not do that.

        "Scale and Clean is the dental equivalent of "do you want fries with that?"."

        Not sure what basis you formed your opinion with, but people are keeping their teeth for longer. It's attributable to many things and "Fries" may be helping with that. Also, since people are keeping their teeth for longer, gum disease is a growing concern. Gum disease will wreak all sorts of nasty symptoms later on in life (if you still have teeth) and the treatment for that, when you need to see a specialist, will well outweigh any preventative costs you may acquire along the way. Also, scale and cleans are hardly worth a dentist's time and this is evident from the dental profession introducing a lower qualification title, dental hygienists. The hygienists do all the scale and cleans as the dentists do not consider that a worthwhile allocation of time, unless the dentist was legitimately concerned for you.

    • ThisJustin on 28/03/2014 - 15:22
      +1

      It's also true that you can end up with cavities or dental issues despite having good oral hygiene. Dentists are also expensive and some people have to put off going to one because they can't afford it. The longer they put it off the worse it gets.

      Anecdotally, out of all of the health care providers I've been to dentists seem to be the ones who enjoy condescending to their patients the most. There is providing info, which I agree is their job, and there is talking to you like you're a friggin 6 year old. That seems inappropriate and entirely unprofessional.

  • porsche26c on 27/03/2014 - 17:40
    +2

    The best is always solve it with the dentist themselves and not make a complaint to the HCCC. I would write a nice letter regarding your concerns and that you are happy to return to see the principal dentist for the cost of the filling minus the $135 you have already paid for a checkup you did not want. If they dont comply or you dont want to go back you can discussed further action such as a complaint to the HCCC.
    Best is to go direct to them and ask them.

    I am a dentist and when a patient does come in and ask for only a filling and nothing else, i will look around while the LA is working and kindly advise them that there may be further fillings to be done/clean (if i actually see something - it is not charged) and give them a written quote for a exam, clean and xrays where a comprehensive quote can be given after that.

    Best is always share your concern with the practice.
    ps i wish i could charge $135 for a consult lol that is steep.

    • kiitos on 27/03/2014 - 22:17
      +2

      You're probably not doing too bad despite a lower consultation fee, if your handle is any indication! :-)

    • tonka on 27/03/2014 - 23:48

      Thanks for the advice. That is pretty much the approach of my regular guy.

      I had already had a consult saying I needed a filling. My guy wasn't available and I wanted to get it done on a day I had off and not wait a month where it may get worse.

      I was very very specific when arranging the consultation and in the consult.

      What I got was a bill I can't really afford, time wasted on my day off a ridiculous lecture by someone being completely unrealistic.

      What I hate though is the feeling of injustice.

    • Wally on 30/03/2014 - 00:02

      Is their a national scale of recommended fees with item numbers that is available?
      Is there a way of determining how much a procedure is going to cost at a practice BEFORE incurring it?

  • [Deactivated] on 27/03/2014 - 22:40
    +1

    Wow, that's really ridiculous! It's like going to a GP for a fatty liver, and being told you won't get any treatment as long as you keep drinking!!

  • qwertykiri on 27/03/2014 - 23:55

    "Wow, that's really ridiculous! It's like going to a GP for a fatty liver, and being told you won't get any treatment as long as you keep drinking!!"

    It is not quite the same, but yes it is like saying if you do not change your lifestyle and reduce your risks, you will have liver failure. But hey in the meanwhile lets give you pills which will cause other major side effects, which will slow down your liver damage.

    What the dentist is trying to tell the OP is, please make major changes to you lifestyle, otherwise you will be spending a lot more on your teeth, and not just the one that you know has a problem. It is better to tell you upfront rather then you going back in 12 months with much bigger problems (needing root canal treatment or even extraction).

    So the $135 you spent would go a long way if you are willing to listen to the advise.
    Good luck with you teeth

  • MementoMori on 28/03/2014 - 13:44

    It's a shame when this happens, but really, like with mechanics etc, you need to be very demanding/clear when specifying what services you want, how much they will cost, etc - to the point of refusing to pay if it's anything else.

    Personally I hate these professions that expect you to book and appointment, get the work done and then just hit you with whatever after the fact without any indiciate of price.

  • ncmx5 on 28/03/2014 - 21:23

    Unfortunately, although you may just need a new filling (according to the previous dentist at the other practice), going to a NEW practice, as practitioner you need to have your medical history all down, and if it was one tooth, limited oral exam (emergency exam) ~$50 approx?? and possibly an xray(s) ~$40ea ? - because these are the baseline info needed prior to treatment. Because the diagnosis must be remade/confirmed by the treating professional. Now we can't take your word for a filling being needed, who knows, you may have needed a root canal but it's $2500, obviously you dont want to pay that much, but "it's just a hole - how hard can it be to fix?" so you just tell the new dentist you need the hole covered up. We can't just go in believing everyone and doing as said, its negligence - so this limited exam is a diagnostic confirmation for the treatment you need. Now i'm not saying you would be lying, but it's for our records incase a complication occurs, which do happen.

    I don't know about the water rubbish though, yeah it's great to drink water, but man live life a little, drink eat whatever you want in moderation and just brush your teeth.

    Another thing is, we don't like our work failing - just because we do a filling, if you don't look after it, it will fail… and its not good for the pt, and the business.

    • tonka on 29/03/2014 - 00:26

      All fair and and sort of what I expected them to tell me.

      It's not what they did say though. In fact when I was explaining what I didn't want I said to them a lot of this, they were sure we can just do a filling. I specifically said I wanted to make sure I wouldn't get charged an emergency exam, I got charged about $150 for one once when I had to use a different clinic and am very wary of them.

      The reason I agreed to a checkup even though it wasn't what I had agreed to originally, I was already in the chair and because of the reasons you state I understand are reasonable so i figured it would cost me a bit extra but I could get the filling over with and not need to wait 3 weeks .

      After checkup there was no dispute that I needed a filling and the reason I was told it wouldn't be done was because I admitted to not drinking water exclusively.

      To be honest I believe the dentist just didn't want to do it and was making excuses. To close to their lunch break maybe.

      End result for me I go back to my regular guy who isn't a fanatic, but I paid for an exam and x-rays I didn't need because I got no filling and my regular guy had already done this.

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