Comments on: How to Save Money at the Dentist – Get a Second Opinion http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/08/07/how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion/ Bridging the gap between saving money and investing Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:42:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Scott22 http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/08/07/how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-951980 Scott22 Sun, 17 Jul 2011 17:05:50 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/08/07/101668_how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion.html#comment-951980 Dr. Mat, You didn't address a few huge problems I have run up against that were discussed here. The differing diagnoses. Many have related getting a second opinion and were giving completely different diagnoses, all the way from needing a root canal to a perfectly healthy tooth with not cavity. Getting a routine exam price. If you call and ask how much they are going to charge for anything, they often will not even give basic information. They are often put off, like it is a completely rude question. They will bill you whatever it is. One problem is a second opinion is really impractical, it is too expensive and I am not even sure if a dentist will do it. Then what do you do with conflicting information. Maybe the dentists who says you do need something is right? I am thinking about going to Mexico. Someone I know who lives on the boarder says they do great work at 20% of the costs. Of course there are no guarantees, but there appears to be many problems with the work done in the US too. Dr. Mat, You didn’t address a few huge problems I have run up against that were discussed here.

The differing diagnoses. Many have related getting a second opinion and were giving completely different diagnoses, all the way from needing a root canal to a perfectly healthy tooth with not cavity.

Getting a routine exam price. If you call and ask how much they are going to charge for anything, they often will not even give basic information. They are often put off, like it is a completely rude question. They will bill you whatever it is.

One problem is a second opinion is really impractical, it is too expensive and I am not even sure if a dentist will do it. Then what do you do with conflicting information. Maybe the dentists who says you do need something is right?

I am thinking about going to Mexico. Someone I know who lives on the boarder says they do great work at 20% of the costs. Of course there are no guarantees, but there appears to be many problems with the work done in the US too.

]]> By: Dr. Matt http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/08/07/how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-939263 Dr. Matt Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:54:22 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/08/07/101668_how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion.html#comment-939263 As a dentist it never ceases to amaze me what variable opinions appear from lay people outside of the profession. Just a couple comments regarding your opinions. Your comment about private vs. public schools is not only completely inaccurate, it is slanderous. I went to a public undergrad and a private grad school and most of my closest colleagues went to dental school at a state school. There is no way to determine one way or the other what type of diagnosis a dentist is going to make, but I can assure you it is not determined on whether they went to a public or private school. Second, "Look for dentists that own their own practices." What? Single doctor offices will be extinct in the future for a variety of reasons. From strictly a business aspect (since you are talking about cost in your article)the overhead for a multi doctor practice (by the way, most of those dentists DO own their own practice, they simply share the space), what you call a "center" will have significantly lower overhead and also most likely have many more patients. The result is that, strictly from a dollars and "sense" perspective, the "center" would be more profitable and thus the doctor would be more apt to give a LESS aggressive treatment diagnosis b/c they don't need to produce as much to make an equivalent paycheck. Well, it looks like your dentist sold you well since you drive two hours b/c you "trust" him. What excellent advice he gave you. He successfully kept you away from another dentist, so you won't have to worry about the second and third opinion that you are recommending in your article. Lol... As a dentist it never ceases to amaze me what variable opinions appear from lay people outside of the profession. Just a couple comments regarding your opinions.
Your comment about private vs. public schools is not only completely inaccurate, it is slanderous. I went to a public undergrad and a private grad school and most of my closest colleagues went to dental school at a state school. There is no way to determine one way or the other what type of diagnosis a dentist is going to make, but I can assure you it is not determined on whether they went to a public or private school.

Second, “Look for dentists that own their own practices.” What? Single doctor offices will be extinct in the future for a variety of reasons. From strictly a business aspect (since you are talking about cost in your article)the overhead for a multi doctor practice (by the way, most of those dentists DO own their own practice, they simply share the space), what you call a “center” will have significantly lower overhead and also most likely have many more patients. The result is that, strictly from a dollars and “sense” perspective, the “center” would be more profitable and thus the doctor would be more apt to give a LESS aggressive treatment diagnosis b/c they don’t need to produce as much to make an equivalent paycheck.

Well, it looks like your dentist sold you well since you drive two hours b/c you “trust” him. What excellent advice he gave you. He successfully kept you away from another dentist, so you won’t have to worry about the second and third opinion that you are recommending in your article. Lol…

]]> By: szapper http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/08/07/how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-680705 szapper Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:08:48 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/08/07/101668_how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion.html#comment-680705 Sharin, definitely try to get a second or even third opinion. This article makes sense on so many levels, especially: "don Sharin, definitely try to get a second or even third opinion. This article makes sense on so many levels, especially: “don

]]> By: sharin http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/08/07/how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-679995 sharin Sun, 28 Mar 2010 03:12:18 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/08/07/101668_how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion.html#comment-679995 I'm seeing a new dentist and am planning on getting partial dentures costing around $5000.00. Last week I had scaling/root planning done, the dentist was not good with the needle, it hurt too much I thought, and didn't numb me enough, even though he came back and shot me up again. Now I'm wondering if I should trust him with pulling several teeth and feeling the pain. Should I get a second opinion on the price? I would hate to shell out 5k for a lot of pain! I’m seeing a new dentist and am planning on getting partial dentures costing around $5000.00. Last week I had scaling/root planning done, the dentist was not good with the needle, it hurt too much I thought, and didn’t numb me enough, even though he came back and shot me up again. Now I’m wondering if I should trust him with pulling several teeth and feeling the pain. Should I get a second opinion on the price? I would hate to shell out 5k for a lot of pain!

]]> By: patricia http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/08/07/how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-651362 patricia Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:27:52 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/08/07/101668_how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion.html#comment-651362 When it comes to the dental profession beware! There are more scams than you can shake a stick. It is a worry to think of how many are scammed or treated unnecessarily on a daily basis in this country. That has been my observation after walking the walk having entered an office for a check up and passed to the buddy and had my insurance worked over and... just BE CAREFUL and question everything. Look in your mouth or your child's mouth. Do you see a hole? Search google for dentist arrested just to read the unusual stories of sexual assaults, drugs, and then search dental fraud. The dental world is difficult to navigate. On the positive side, I think they have been doing a lot of this for a while and people are catching on and reporting. Always report fraud to the dental board. The dental profession is self regulation so don't expect much help. Just put something in the file to be seen and hopefully if reports keep appearing for the same dentist something will finally happen. Otherwise, we are all very much on our own navigating the dental world. When it comes to the dental profession beware! There are more scams than you can shake a stick. It is a worry to think of how many are scammed or treated unnecessarily on a daily basis in this country. That has been my observation after walking the walk having entered an office for a check up and passed to the buddy and had my insurance worked over and… just BE CAREFUL and question everything. Look in your mouth or your child’s mouth. Do you see a hole? Search google for dentist arrested just to read the unusual stories of sexual assaults, drugs, and then search dental fraud. The dental world is difficult to navigate. On the positive side, I think they have been doing a lot of this for a while and people are catching on and reporting. Always report fraud to the dental board. The dental profession is self regulation so don’t expect much help. Just put something in the file to be seen and hopefully if reports keep appearing for the same dentist something will finally happen. Otherwise, we are all very much on our own navigating the dental world.

]]> By: fred zietz http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/08/07/how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-635345 fred zietz Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:35:06 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/08/07/101668_how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion.html#comment-635345 Sounds like you all need to have a little more faith. If you dont trust the dentist, find another. Its not just the work, it is the relationship. And no dentist is going to be correct 100%. However, there is the 5% (like any profession that should not be working). And CARING dentists can go to any dental school-not just public schools. Sounds like you all need to have a little more faith. If you dont trust the dentist, find another. Its not just the work, it is the relationship. And no dentist is going to be correct 100%.
However, there is the 5% (like any profession that should not be working).
And CARING dentists can go to any dental school-not just public schools.

]]> By: x http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/08/07/how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-608996 x Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:07:39 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/08/07/101668_how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion.html#comment-608996 I hate dentists and doctors. When I was a kid, I had a real demon for a dentist. Every time my sister and I went, we "needed" fillings. What a pattern! Each of us ended up getting the exact same molars filled with that toxic amalgam crap. When I was just 13, I had a visit, and that time, I "needed" a fifth filling. Well even at such a young age, I was suspicious. (My mother was not... Go figure.) The dentist giving the second opinion said my teeth were fine. Fast forward 26 years, and my teeth are still fine. And I still hate dentists. I hate dentists and doctors. When I was a kid, I had a real demon for a dentist. Every time my sister and I went, we “needed” fillings. What a pattern! Each of us ended up getting the exact same molars filled with that toxic amalgam crap.

When I was just 13, I had a visit, and that time, I “needed” a fifth filling. Well even at such a young age, I was suspicious. (My mother was not… Go figure.)

The dentist giving the second opinion said my teeth were fine.

Fast forward 26 years, and my teeth are still fine.

And I still hate dentists.

]]> By: Adam Aronowitz http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/08/07/how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-505596 Adam Aronowitz Mon, 29 Dec 2008 23:16:03 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/08/07/101668_how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion.html#comment-505596 I find that it is always good to get a second opinion. But the second opinion can be used by the other dentist or orthodondinst to redirect you to their business's. I find that getting a second opinion online, sending x rays to a specialist who is an expert in diagnoses, and doesn't have the conflict of interest of stealing your business to be the way to go. There are a few websites like this already available in Dental and Orthodontry. I find that it is always good to get a second opinion. But the second opinion can be used by the other dentist or orthodondinst to redirect you to their business’s. I find that getting a second opinion online, sending x rays to a specialist who is an expert in diagnoses, and doesn’t have the conflict of interest of stealing your business to be the way to go. There are a few websites like this already available in Dental and Orthodontry.

]]> By: Mieke http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/08/07/how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-459845 Mieke Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:14:18 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/08/07/101668_how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion.html#comment-459845 My dentist, rather a new person to me, has given me two crowns in the past two years, but both have a few problems with twinges of pain. A half year ago, he gave me a clean bill of health, even though I told him about the twinges, so I believed him. Then he told me a week ago that I need 5 crowns - urgently. I had a second opinion yesterday, and was also told I need crowns, even possible root canals, and that I have been neglecting my teeth. But I have no pain, except below the two crowns that are recent. So - not sure what to do now. My first action will be to try to get an appointment with the University Dental School. My dentist, rather a new person to me, has given me two crowns in the past two years, but both have a few problems with twinges of pain. A half year ago, he gave me a clean bill of health, even though I told him about the twinges, so I believed him. Then he told me a week ago that I need 5 crowns – urgently. I had a second opinion yesterday, and was also told I need crowns, even possible root canals, and that I have been neglecting my teeth.
But I have no pain, except below the two crowns that are recent. So – not sure what to do now. My first action will be to try to get an appointment with the University Dental School.

]]> By: Heidi http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/08/07/how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-147950 Heidi Tue, 13 Nov 2007 18:24:33 +0000 http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/2007/08/07/101668_how-to-save-money-at-the-dentist-%e2%80%93-get-a-second-opinion.html#comment-147950 It has happened to me twice now that I went for a second opinion and save a bit of money. 4 years ago a dentist told me I needed a root canal and crown - but I had no pain so I went to another dentist who told me I didn't have one dern cavity and I was good to go... the tooth never started bothering me so I am happy I went through the trouble. Now my son needs (so I am told) orthodontic work. This is some expensive stuff... think I will shop around on this one. It has happened to me twice now that I went for a second opinion and save a bit of money. 4 years ago a dentist told me I needed a root canal and crown – but I had no pain so I went to another dentist who told me I didn’t have one dern cavity and I was good to go… the tooth never started bothering me so I am happy I went through the trouble. Now my son needs (so I am told) orthodontic work. This is some expensive stuff… think I will shop around on this one.

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