Why are parents so shocked when a dentist wont let them make payments?

Question

I have been in the dental field for over 10 yrs. and have worked in offices in the past who did allow patients to make payments on their dental work. However, about 50% of the time, they were cheated out of the money they were owed, and eventually stopped allowing payments.
I don't know any other business that allows patients to make payments for services without either getting financed or it being a service that can be "cut off", such as car insurance or water. I am sure there are many dentist who would allow their regular, long time patients to make payments, but they don't know anything about most new patients or patients who they have only seen 2-3 times. I woudn't do work for someone I barely knew, and then let them make payments to me. Why are some patients so shocked and get so mad when their dentist won't let them make payments?

Sorry, meant to say patients, not parents.

Your right alot of offices do offer outside financing. In fact, we do this in our office, but when a patient doesn't get approved for financing, they immediatly want to know why we won't just let them pay us $100.00 month. Sorry, but if you have bad enough credit, or no credit at all, that you can't get financed, then why would a dentist want to risk doing work on you without knowing for a fact they will get paid for the work?? I agree, dental work is expensive. So are car repairs. So are alot of things in life.

And as far as small claims court: Do you realize that it would cost a dentist possibly 2-3 times as much money, to take a patient who didn't pay their bill to small claims court than what they owed him to begin with? He has to close his office, possibly all day, probably has to go ahead and pay his staff since it isn't their fault he has to be off, and he looses money for all the patients he can't see because he is sitting there in court trying to get money from someone?

Yes, in our office, we do tell them up front over the phone that we don't do payments, it is also in our new patient paperwork, and it is printed on our treatment plans. However so many people think they can talk their dentist into making an exception for them. I have seen so many patients agree to make payments and then when something else comes up in their life, they decide the dentists payment can wait. He can't wait on paying his bills (Including his staffs salaries), so why should a patient be able to wait to pay him?

Answer 1

Yes Yes Yes we see this too. You can't go to the grocery store and buy groceries, and say I will make payments. You can't go and get your hair cut and styled and say to your stylist, hey I can't pay today, but I will make payments. My dentist did this for many years, let patients make payments, and guess what he got stiffed more times than I an count. He has sent people to collections numerous times and still no payments. Small claims court is a joke, the state limit is many times under what doc is owed so by the time you cover legal expenses, you are out even more. My doc has said over the last three years I am not a bank, I will no longer extend credit to patients through this office, we however offer third party credit such as capital one, and care credit. Why do patients feel that they can make payments to doc, who is extending the credit to them through his own pocket, and interest fee at that. Nope not anymore. We offer a service, we tell the patient what they need, and it ends there. It is not our fault, or interest to know why you can't pay for our services. We are professionals, and as such we expect to be paid, no money no service, it is as simple as that. People tell us all of the time about their financial woes, and we just listen, and then say we are sorry, but we will have to have the money before we start treatment. Period.

Answer 2

I agree with ya. This happened all the time with us too. I think they think we are crazy . If you can't get outside financing why should a Dental or another office for that matter carry ya. What happens then is everyone suffers because if an office has patients that don't pay then the other patients have to pay higher prices to off set this. How many time has your office been burned when you did let them make payment . You know we all have had that happen and that just ruined it for all those patients that are grateful and probably could have been trusted. Its those few that ruin for all the others.

Answer 3

amzzing, I bet the reason they're not rushing to take you to the dentist is that they're sure he's going to say, "Yup, that's a wisdom tooth erupting. Those can hurt. Take Tylenol and eat soft foods." This is such an absolutely normal thing that it doesn't need a dentist. In time, if they come in crooked, or move your other teeth around, they may need to be removed, but don't assume they have to come out. People managed for a few thousand years before wisdom teeth started being removed, right? If you're sure the whole family is on your mom's dental plan, call the plan's office and ask if a minor needs parental permission or signature to see a dentist, and go by what they say.

Answer 4

WOW! I hear ya sister!! We go through this all the time. I had a patient yesterday tell me that she was angry that we don't offer a payment plan for her nightguard that was not covered by her insurance. She was actually given a payment plan of 1/2 down at time of impression and 1/2 when her nightguard is delivered and guess what....that was not good enough for her. SHe actually told me that she could "put is on her credit card, but why would she want to do that?" Imagine??? My only answer to her was, when she leaves our office to go grocery shopping (which is where she was going) they expect payment at the time of check out right?! She was very quiet after that!!

It is very frustrating because we are in a business to help people, but it is in fact a business. The insurance plans out there are more of a problem than help. People are bamboozled into thinking that everything is covered. They all sign our financial policy when they start as patients, but then are the first to give us a hard time when they have to pay for services rendered!
Your question is that of frustration and shared throughout our profession.
I am glad you are shining a light on this issue!!

Answer 5

I have to agree with you for the most part, when I was working as a dental hygienist (before I decided to get a degree in English... bad choice) my boss would get stiffed on payment ALL the time... And sometimes, the SAME people who hadn't paid were wondering why they weren't allowed to make monthy payments a second time!

Seriously.

I think that part of the problem stems from patients seeing doctors as people with an OBLIGATION to treat them (which they are), and them getting paid isn't as important as the patients getting their treatment - but doctors and nurses and hygienists pay rent too!

Answer 6

Dental procedures are quite costly. I think dentists should offer some sort of financing through their office. My husband's dentist does this and it helps tremendously.
I understand where you are coming from regarding the non-payment, but that is why there are small claims courts out there.

Answer 7

Find a dentist, stay with him/her unless they're complete knuckleheads and build a payment history with them.
Once they know you're financially responsible they will most likely allow you to pay for some work over time. You need to tell them upfront what you're going to pay them each month and stick to it. If you owe $1000.00 don't try to give them $50.00 per month. I owed my dentist $2100.00 for some work and told her I would pay her $600.00 every month until it was paid off. She was more than happy with this arrangement and I paid her off ahead of time. I know if I'm in this situation again she won't hesitate to allow me to do something similar.

Answer 8

Wow, I'm shocked at the answers here--
Dental work and dental care is very expensive but necessary for total health.
If your sick, you go to the hospital whether you can pay right away or not. Same thing with the dentist--or do you not consider your profession a necessary one? Do you not see yourself as healers?
Quit your whining and crying and have some compassion for people. Sure some people might be exaggerating but probably not near as many as you think

Answer 9

Overcome Fear Of Dentist : http://DentalBook.uzaev.com/?jeeO

Answer 10

Do they get to know before hand that they can't make payments?? Some may just not be able to afford so much at one time and some may just be angry that they can't rip you off, others are easily ticked off.
but thx for the info, i'll let my mom kno for when she strts her own office.