How to negotiate dental fees?

Question

I asked this question earlier this month and the answers went into voting before I got a chance to thank the people who helped me with their replies. I wanted to let you know the outcome to my situation. To summarize my original question: My dentist stated I needed a porcelain crown that would cost $1900. I asked if there were any alternatives, and he said no because the silver amalgam was leaking. My insurance would cover $390. The office manager said I should not delay too long to get the crown done or else I could end up needing a root canal.

I decided to look for more affordable dental treatments, and considered the dental school where the crown would cost $780. I asked for a copy of the x-rays, and the office manager at the dentist’s office seemed upset and asked me if I was going for a second opinion, and also didn’t want to give me the copy, but to directly send the x-rays to the second dentist. I told her I didn't have a second dentist set up yet.

In the end, this is what happened: After I read all your responses, I felt better about the possibility of leaving my original dentist. I especially appreciated the yahoo answerer who said something was troubling about the way the front desk at my dentist’s office was upset when I asked for the x-rays. The friends and colleagues I spoke with in Boston believed that the $1900 fee was too high. I called the dental insurance office and explained my situation to the insurance lady who took pity on my situation and told me she had two crowns done at the dental school. She provided the name of her crown specialist and also the name of the head manager of the dental school’s appointment office. She told me to call the head manager and ask her for an opinion on a great crown specialist, and to mention that I had talked to her.

The school's mgr booked an appt for me w/ a specialist she liked.

The office that wanted to charge $1900 called me to see what my status was. I said the dentist is a great person and doctor, and under different financial circumstances, I would do the crown there, but right now, I couldn’t afford his fee. The dentist’s office said I would be given a personal courtesy of 10%. I expressed my thanks + appreciation for the generous + kind offer, + stated that I already had an appt booked for a 2nd opinion.

Two days ago, I had the consultation at the school. She said she would not recommend a crown because the original amalgam + leakage was in a small area. A crown would require that a large portion of good tooth would be drilled whereas a white composite filling would preserve most of the tooth. An hour later, the tooth was done + the work was exquisite, looking much like crown work. Insurance covered 100%. So I thank the yahoo answerers for all your wisdom!

There are several lessons to my story for patients + doctors. For patients: if something doesn’t seem right, even if you have had the same doctor for years, don’t be afraid to change. I was worried sick for days about how I was going to pay for the crown. For dentists: at times, it doesn’t pay to charge very high fees or to push an expensive treatment when a more conservative plan would be ideal. If the dentist had charged a more reasonable price, I would have done the work there because life is simpler when one doesn’t have to look for a new dentist. In the end, I found out that the crown was not the ideal treatment for my tooth. I’m glad that I found out that my dentist was probably pushing the crown for higher profits. For people who are considering going to a dental school to get the work done, you must be willing to be patient. My crown specialist is a professor at the dental school and works only one day a week, so it can be hard to get an appt.

Today is August 21, 2019. Here's an update of this question asked in January 2007. I didn't visit the original dentist again and instead, I continue to go to the dental school with great results. To the person who asked how I knew if the opinion of the second dentist was the correct one: the second dentist is a crown specialist and a professor at the dental school, and her decisions are reviewed by faculty and students. That particular tooth is doing well and hasn't needed a crown.

Answer 1

I'm glad to hear of your good result.
Unfortunately there is a minority of dentists who are more driven by profit than ethics. And this is the same for ANY occupation.
I'll share my experience some years ago of signing up with a dental management team. Altho some of their ideas were very useful for organising my practice, their treatment ethos was rapacious.
I have a colleague who has used the same team and embraced all their techniques. He has turned into an unscrupulous, money-mad scumbag. He also has aggressive front-desk techniques.
Thank you for sharing your experiences here with everyone. Not every dentist is like your original fellow. When looking for a dentist, always ask for recommendations from relatives and freinds; don't be afraid to ask questions; don't be afraid to seek second opinions. Best wishes.

Answer 2

I miss my dentist where I used to live... he was not greedy, was reasonably priced and knew when to refer you out to an endodontist. I am tempted to drive the 400 miles to see him again, he was that good.

At this point, though, you may want to search out a new dentist to avoid awkwardness (and do so before you need treatment again) It know it is hard to approach the subject of a second opinion. Had you gone to another dentist for a second opinion, then the second one would have discussed your case with the first one... I am not faulting you for going to the dental school, just putting that idea out there.

Answer 3

I'm a dentist.

My, how naive you are.

Let me ask you this question, lady. How do you know that the second opinion was the correct one? Because it's cheaper and it hasn't caused you problems yet?

A second opinion is nothing more than a second opinion. You're not seeing someone who's an authority on the subject. You're seeing another doctor with the same qualifications as the first.

Answer 4

I will agree that $1900.00 is really high. Good gosh, I thought the fee's in my office were high, but we aren't that bad. That better include a diamond in it!

But in all fairness, the idea of "negotiating fee's" is not just a cut dry subject. Alot of people seem to think that dentists are all super rich, and they they pocket all the money they make. That is just not true. They have employee's working for them, and just like anyone else, I want to make a decent living, I want to get Christmas bonuses, I want to have health insurance, I want to have paid vacation days, and I want to have a secure job. Every time a dentsit "negotiates" his fee's, that is less money going into the practice, and in a sense, less money that goes to me and my family.

So, while I agree that $1900.00 is an awful lot for a crown, there are thousands of dentists in the country, and no one is forced to go to one certain one. There are some high end dentists who cater to the rich and famous, and there are dentists who cater to the poorer people. You just have to make your own choice, but even though you chose not to go with the $1900.00 crown, or a crown at all for that matter, remember that there are people out there who probably do choose his $1900.00 crowns, and think his prices are reasonable. It all comes down to a personal decision.

Answer 5

You are smart to question any health care provider. They forget that you are a consumer and can take your business anywhere. With customer service like that, the'll lose more patients than you. Maybe that's why they need to overcharge the ones that don't leave?