Why Dentists so much worse then real Doctors?

Question

Why is it when you go to your M.D. you get checked out and given advice and direction with no mention of fees other then a co-pay. When I go to my dentist (4th one in 2 years) I get checked out and IMMEDIATELY here comes the office manager with a run down of the bill! How are you planning on paying? What insurance do you have? Are they taught in school that the bill is the most important issue and the patient isn't? I own my own successful sign business and I can tell you all matters except money are discussed first and money is last. Customer service is always the most important factor: making sure they are comfortable, they feel at ease, and they are happy with what we are doing for them. Then the issue of money is brought up. Why can't dentist get this through their head? 8-9 years of schooling and not one class on bedside manner, no wonder dentists are so hated. And the upselling, my god it's McDonalds with most of them. Want fries with that?

I know more people have experienced the dentist/car salesmen experience. The problem is your have to take care of your teeth and they know it, so the plan is "you're screwed, pay us or suffer" Doctors don't do that, doctors help you first then talk money. Dentist are all about the cash up front, and I have great dental insurance and I still get treated like I'm buying a car.

Answer 1

I'm a dentist.

First of all, we are "real doctors". I went through hell to earn that "D.D.S." after my name. Many of us spent more time training after dental school. We are licensed to hold a blade and cut you literally anywhere on your body. We hold D.E.A. licenses that permit us to prescribe schedule IV, III, and II drugs. You know who else has that right? Physicians do, and MAYBE podiatrists. I prescribe very addictive and potentially lethal medications to my patients on a daily basis. I review medical histories every single day, and I can tell you that I have come across a number of patients who could have died in my chair had I treated them. We are every bit as responsible for the safe treatment of our patients as an ophthalmologist or a plastic surgeon is. So make no mistake about it, you obnoxious fool, when you see your dentist, you are seeing a REAL doctor. Not to mention: I know a hell of a lot more about medicine than any physician knows about dentistry.

Now, on to your complaint.

Along with that "D.D.S." degree comes the ability to quickly diagnose your problems. Unlike your primary care physician, we rarely have to take throat cultures or perform blood tests to treat you. Our diagnostic process is much quicker. And unlike your primary care physician, the vast majority of our work is surgical in nature and expensive. Your physician examines you with his otoscope, stethoscope, ophthalmoscope, and hands for 15 minutes, then makes the diagnosis. His treatment rarely requires more than a few seconds to prescribe a medications for you to take. You pay for this medication at your local pharmacy. Our treatment, on the other hand, can take as long as two hours, and it is also something you have to pay us for. Hence we want to know how you are going to pay for it. It blows my mind that you would have a problem with this.

Hell, what do you think happens with one of your "real doctor" M.D.'s who specializes in plastic surgery? Do you think they're not going to want to know how you're going to pay for that facelift? After determining whether or not you're healthy enough for the procedure (the same way we dentists do), that's the very next thing they're going to want to know: how will you pay for it. And your ophthalmologist? He'll want to know if/how you can pay for your Lasik.

Dentists, like physicians, are running businesses. While we definitely care about our patients (and most of us are kind enough to reduce our fees from time to time as a professional courtesy), we don't care enough about you to work on you for free. Hence, we give you our diagnosis, a treatment plan, as well as the fees up front for this treatment plan and we let you decide what you want to have done. Then, it's on your head.

The very fact that you've been to four dentists in two years is a good indication that you are a judgmental ****** with an enormous chip on his (or her) shoulder. I'd kick your *** out of my office in a heartbeat.

Answer 2

Do you know how often people have work done and then when they are checked out they go, "I didn't bring my checkbook so I can't pay today." Then guess what? They don't pay there bill for a long time or ever!!! People will always give the excuse that they didn't know how much it was going to cost or how much insurance will pay for. The office manager is nice enough to explain that all to you and help you figure out if this is something you can afford. Dentistry is optional--you don't haveto have it done. You say you own your own business. Do you expect people to pay for your services? I'm guessing you do. Ask any dentist, and he or she will tell you that they've done work for free because someone didn't pay their bill. Don't forget, they still have to pay for the products that were used and pay the staff their wages. It sounds like you're someone who's impossible to please (4th dentist in 2 years).

Answer 3

I think you just answered your own question. My dad is a dentist and i can tell you right now, going to school to become a dentist is NOT cheap. My sister is also going to school right now to become a dental hygenist and it is rather expensive, too. Personally I care quite a bit about my teeth and I think its funny when people like to complain about the cost of medical appointments in general. Medical professionals paid a LOT of money to be in the position that they are now. They work long hours and even do shift work being "on-call" with the hospital. Usually when you go to a dentist it is generally the same procedure - you're recall appointment. At this time generally everybody gets cleaning, flouride, etc. A MD is completely different from a Dentist. Maybe you should find one more suited to yourself, or if you are that frustrated and don't really care about your teeth, don't see a dentist.

Answer 4

As a student approaching his dental interview in five days, i love to know how patients feel about their dentists and about their experiences so i can hopefully do well in my practice. So i liked every ones answers to your thought and i hoped you read them and they helped, but i can tell you from working as a dental assistant, it is one of the hardest things to present the bill before work begins. Especially when i can tell the patient cant afford the procedure. But the reality is, you must know the person can afford the procedure before its done because otherwise, you get stuck with the check.

Answer 5

I don't know about you, but if I need work done, I appreciate my dental office telling me what my insurance will cover and how much will come out of my own pocket ahead of time... that way, I can plan accordingly and not be pissed off about any surprises!!

Let's say you take your car to the shop, and it needs work done that you didn't anticipate. Wouldn't you rather they give you an estimate, get your approval, THEN do the work... or would you rather they do the work w/out your approval and stick you with the bill???

Answer 6

so would you rather them do all the work and than they shock you with the bill? this way they go over everything with you and if you agree than no shocks in the end...get it? and I feel when your talking to someone no matter what business it is-if they pussyfoot around the "money" topic its cause they have something to hide. Thats why I love dentists and Vets they tell it to you straight and honest, no pussyfooting!!!

Answer 7

That doesn't happen at my dentist. I am sorry for your bad experience. You should find a new dentist!