posted
My Dad has TMJ and 5 missing teeth. Before he stared seeing his current TMJ specialist who does general dentistry, he was seeing another dentist.
He has bonding on a few front teeth which the previous dentist did. It broke off with the assistant telling him that he had never had that tooth bonded by there office and that there would be a charge.
The assistant also said charges were determined by the staff not her. I looked at his receipts calling them to ask why he had been charged again.
The billing lady told me it was up to the assistant what he was charged. They reversed the charge so I thought everything was okay. He has a flipper the previous dentist made which includes 5 adjustments within a year. He has a small sore sport which needs to be adjusted.
He made an appointment for Friday. He received a call from the office staff telling him the Dentist didn't want to do any adjustments and that he should see his TMJ Doctor since the dentist felt any adjustments should now be done by him.
I'm pretty sure there mad since I complained about him being charged for something he already paid for. I called there office with the receptionist telling me the same thing.
Now he will have to pay for adjustments from the TMJ Dentist when in reality, they should be covered according to what he was told.
Pretty sure this is there way of dismissing him as a patient. The TMJ Dentist and previous dentist I found out are friends. What can I do about this if anything?
posted
Do you have a dental association you could call to discuss the situation?
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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posted
Yes I do. I just want to make sure the other Dentist doesn't dismiss my Dad since he's friends with the Dentist.
My Dad seems to like the new Dentist a lot better.
I'm concerned with the fact that he needed a few minute adjustment, which I know wouldn't affect the bite.
They clearly dismissed him. I obviously made them mad when I intervened.
Dad is on a fixed income with quite frankly $75.00 being a lot of money for him.
Now he will have to see the TMJ Dentist to pay this fee.
Posts: 911 | Registered: Mar 2005
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Jordana
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 45305
posted
Ask to talk to the actual dentist and not the loopy receptionists/billers/coffee fetchers. Dentists love to hide behind their staff.
Posts: 2057 | From Florida | Registered: Feb 2015
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Try your state's OMBUDSPERSON for insurance matters.
For starters, Google advanced search and then add in his state:
State insurance ombudsperson
If there is no dental insurance at all - as is the case for most people (so very sadly) . . . then you might still be able to get some guidance on the next step by contacting someone in this office or a similar patient dental advocate office in his state.
[ 01-24-2017, 08:05 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Dental and mouth issues are a major matter for me right now. Just spent most of the afternoon reading about TRIPHALA and it has some promise, perhaps.
There are quite a few mentions of it helping mouth tissue but I don't have the energy to excerpt those out and post. I've highlighted those portions in my own notes of the full articles in my study notes so I hope you / he can read to find those passages.
My "links set" is not really ready yet but I will start it and then come back and post a link to a new thread.
SEA BUCKTHORN OIL has also been very helpful for aphthous ulcers in my mouth. Mountain Rose Herbs is where I get mine.
If he could have access to a good naturopathic doctor, that would be best and there may even be one who has more experience with dental issues. A holistic dentist, too, seems a good connection to help prevent future problems.
posted
This Dentist advertises that he is holistic. His assistants do most his work and he is a very high volume practice.
Posts: 911 | Registered: Mar 2005
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