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jawnbcA couple of years ago I fired my dentist. He became my dentist while in grad skool: he was just starting out with his practice and he was giving students a wee bit extra coverage. He's also a MacKoolAidSlurper so that was always fun to talk about. Or for him to talk about and me to mumble about. I really, really liked this guy, and convinced a few friends to go there as well.
Then the eejit started extra billing me. My insurance only covered cheap-n-cheerful fillings and he would use better quality ones--and not tell me there might be an extra charge. A month after one appointment I got a bill in the mail: no explanation, nothing. So I paid that one, but communicated my concerns (process and cost). Next time I had a filling done, they did it again. I subsequently politely told them to fook awf. Their indignance at my indignance spoke volumes. Bye bye, faut que je m'en ailles...
But, being currently acquitted with double insurance (mine and![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
querrelle 's) I finally did some research a few weeks back. I wanted someone who did early morning appointments, so I could go before work. And I wanted someone who would commit to never ever ever fucking extra bill me ever ever. Ever. Oh and downtown so my parking permit would be valid.
This morning I had my first appointment and if this is how they do things I ain't never leaving. The hygienist was skilled and charming, the Dr. sharp and funny and excellent at explaining thing. A 2 year break in care--combined with a childhood of poor dental hygiene--means there's a fair bit of stuff to be sorted. But they were both on it. Dr. was so intrigued with my mouth he wanted to consult with 2 of his colleagues about how to fix some of the major issues.
I may need crowns or even overlays, and the odd filling here and there, and he won't do any of it without clearing it with my insurances and me. And he wants me to see a periodontist about my gums---which the office pays for me as part of their care plan.
Oh. And he's got a TV in the ceiling that I can watch with headphones on during the appointment.
Then the eejit started extra billing me. My insurance only covered cheap-n-cheerful fillings and he would use better quality ones--and not tell me there might be an extra charge. A month after one appointment I got a bill in the mail: no explanation, nothing. So I paid that one, but communicated my concerns (process and cost). Next time I had a filling done, they did it again. I subsequently politely told them to fook awf. Their indignance at my indignance spoke volumes. Bye bye, faut que je m'en ailles...
But, being currently acquitted with double insurance (mine and
querrelle 's) I finally did some research a few weeks back. I wanted someone who did early morning appointments, so I could go before work. And I wanted someone who would commit to never ever ever fucking extra bill me ever ever. Ever. Oh and downtown so my parking permit would be valid.This morning I had my first appointment and if this is how they do things I ain't never leaving. The hygienist was skilled and charming, the Dr. sharp and funny and excellent at explaining thing. A 2 year break in care--combined with a childhood of poor dental hygiene--means there's a fair bit of stuff to be sorted. But they were both on it. Dr. was so intrigued with my mouth he wanted to consult with 2 of his colleagues about how to fix some of the major issues.
I may need crowns or even overlays, and the odd filling here and there, and he won't do any of it without clearing it with my insurances and me. And he wants me to see a periodontist about my gums---which the office pays for me as part of their care plan.
Oh. And he's got a TV in the ceiling that I can watch with headphones on during the appointment.
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no subject
Date: 2009-02-04 04:38 am (UTC)Getting a crown? can be evil.
I just wish my dental insurance didn't suck green donkey dicks for a quarter.
no subject
Date: 2009-02-04 04:45 am (UTC)That 20% not covered can be brutal, eh?
no subject
Date: 2009-02-04 04:50 am (UTC)And because our dental insurance doesn't kick in for a year after whatever..only basic cleanings were covered (in our case for only 60 percent at the time) and so the crown had to be paid for out of pocket. That is why I got gold. I might as well have the physical proof of its cost.
But everyone there is very very very nice and they are great with me because I have such a fear of the chair.
no subject
Date: 2009-02-04 04:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-02-04 04:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-02-04 09:02 am (UTC)You can't see the braid wrapped around her head, but it is SO there!
Why, yes, I read "the Economist," whyever do you ask?
*grin*
YAY good dentists! I always ask a friend who's a dental surgical assistant to ask around about who's good!
no subject
Date: 2009-02-04 10:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-02-04 02:28 pm (UTC)That is so awesome! I don't know why dentists don't invest more in their ceilings. It's what patients are forced to stare at during whatever they're having done - you'd think they'd put a bit more thought into that.
no subject
Date: 2009-02-04 03:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-02-04 05:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-02-04 06:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-02-04 06:21 pm (UTC)My dentist is Armstrong and the hygenist is Keiko (sp) she is funny as hell because her english is so bad.
no subject
Date: 2009-02-04 08:58 pm (UTC)I just had a crown done: took about two hours, and cost me $400, which was 50% of the cost. It's awful having to pay for something so unpleasant.
no subject
Date: 2009-02-04 09:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-02-05 10:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-02-05 10:25 pm (UTC)They don't have a tv, but they do offer a discman and a selection of CDs.