Why are dentists so heartless??!!?

Question

I asked a question on here the other day about needing to find a dentist because I thought my wisdom tooth was coming in, but I found out that my back molar is cracked and the molar in front of that one needs a root canal. My husband and I lost a baby girl in Aug and are paying for a funeral and we do not qualify for the Credit Care Card (Medical credit card). We have insurance but don't have the $500 it is going to cost to get the root canal and the other tooth pulled. I have tried Community Care in my area, Semar, Dental Schools (Booked until Jan or Feb). All the dentists that I called are not willing to work with me on a payment plan. They all want payment upfront....even after I explain the situation. It is really frustrating when dentists keep saying that people need to get in every 6 months, but are not willing to help someone out that is having financial problems.

Denists DO have a choice as how to bill people from their own office! The insurance pays 80% but the dentist could make the choice for their office!

Yes I do have a regular dentist and even they are not willing to help!

Answer 1

Truly sorry about your loss. I bet most dentist don't have a choice in financial matters, it is the insurance companies unfortunately. I wouldn't go as far as to call them heartless (my Dad is a dentist), they have to follow protocols, as do we all.

Answer 2

First let me say that I am sorry to hear about the loss of your child. I worked at a dental office for a very long time. It is not necessarily the dentist who is heartless but it may be the office policy to get payment up front for services. I think the mistake you are making is explaining your financial situation too soon, perhaps you are being too upfront and honest. Don't let the dental office know that you are having financial difficulties. Whenever a patient would call our office and start off by saying I don't have any money but I need treatment, that would put up a red flag, and no offense but I would recommend that patient to a dental clinic rather than encourage them to come into our office. It was my job to make sure that a patient paid for their treatment. But on the other hand, our more savy patients would have the treatment done then say they couldn't pay for it all, well what could I do, I would have to take whatever they could give and then I would have to work out a reasonable payment plan. I am not suggesting in any way that you have treatment and not pay for it. But if you are in pain and need emergency care, in my experience most dental offices will treat you unless you come right out and say you can not pay for the treatment. Also I have found that if you need root canl therapy you should go to an endodontist for that treatment, since they tend to be more flexible in their payment plans. Good luck, I hope that you find a dental office that can help you.

Answer 3

Ryan's mom, I am sorry that you have had such bad luck finding a dentist to help you. Trust and faith. All dentists are not heartless. There is someone out there for you. As I said in my previous message, I would find it in my heart to help you if you were near me. I have lost a child and I know how devastating this can be. It hurts and costs in ways that nobody can imagine.

However... And bear in mind that I DO not know you... It does speak volumes that Care Credit turned you down, I'm sorry to say. If you were an established patient in my office, however, with a proven record of doing your best to pay, I would work something out with you.

What I would sincerely suggest is that you leave a message asking to speak to the dentist. If you actually know him/her and have a good track record, it is hard to imagine him/her turning you down when you ask for a little lenience on a payment plan. You have probably only spoken to a staff member who is merely stating the blanket policy for the office who has not been given the latitude to make "executive" decisions about who gets credit and who does not. Talk to the dentist yourself. IF you can bear to do this, as I know it will be painful, show up one day near the end of the day and ask to speak to the dentist face-to-face. Yes, you will wait. Good luck and God bless the memory of your daughter.

Answer 4

Dentists are not heartless, not any moreso than the general population and perhaps less.

Dentists went to a lot of trouble and expense to help people relieve their pain and disease. They don't do so merely to get rich, because there are plenty of easier ways to do that.

However, most of them have families to support, student loans to service, staff to pay, equipment to buy, etc. I've worked with a number of dentists and ALL of them do charity work. Go to an agency, your church, or a community health clinic. I can't imagine that you've been turned down already, given your circumstances.

If you don't qualify for Care Credit, you are a bad credit risk...why should a dentist offer you a payment plan?

The local dental society will have a list of reduced and sliding-scale dental clinics. There are options for people in your circumstances, and it has nothing whatever to do with dentists being "heartless" as you imply.

Answer 5

Unfortunately your problem is all to common in this day and age when money makes the world go round. Maybe if you know a friend of a friend who's a dentist, someone can help you. Often networking yields good results. Try asking people you know if they have any connections. Good luck!

Answer 6

I am sorry for your loss. Most dentist I know a fair amount of charity. The problem is people tend to take advantage of them(don't pay their bills, bounce checks, etc.) which leads to policies like this. Did you have a regular dentist before all this happened?

Answer 7

welcome to the united states 2006 -- medical care is for those that can afford it. hopefully your mouth isn't too bad right now. get in line to see a dentist now and save pennies so when you get to the front of the line you can get some stuff done.
if you are talking back molars it might be easier to just pull it if it is inconspicuous. your teeth are filthy vermin and people with dentures are generally healthier. your denist won't tell you that. keep your mouth clean with mouthwash regularly and it will reduce the chance of infections and pain. caffiene and chocolate are both good natural pain reducing substances too.

if you are a member of a church you might be able to get help through them. if not consider joining one. christians like to feel charitable every once in a while.

Answer 8

I don't know about your state but Florida has Health Department Medical care. See if your state or area does.

I would take the phone book and keep calling.
Certainly you should be able to find a dentist to take payments.\\KEEP CALLING.

Answer 9

you, like so many other people on here, are guilty of being self centered. you think that your problems are worse than every other person in the world. if dentists had to make exceptions for every sob story that every patient came in with, there would be a line out the door. why would a dentist want to create his own financial problems just to fix yours?

the truth is, you didn't take care of your teeth and now you have to pay for it.

Answer 10

Sounds like you are really having a hart time. I really don't know what to tell you, but I just wanted to say that I'm very sorry.