So in September I made an appointment for a cleaning. I went in and had a cleaning. It wasn't even very long... about 30 minutes or so. Nothing was said about any other procedure.

Eventually I received a bill for $150.00 - that my insurance didn't pay. After looking at the explanation of benefits it said they billed for a "scaling" which is typically part of a periodontal issue. (and a reason the insurance wouldn't pay because there was not justification for it).

I called them up and told them that I didn't have a "scaling" I had a cleaning... and they insisted I had a scaling. Which I didn't.

I totally lost it... this actually is the second or third time I had this kind of thing happen to me. I have now filed complaints with the attorney general, the department of professional licensing and my dental insurer for fraud. Absolutely furious about it and feeling pretty disenhartened. It feels lately like every dentist I go to is a fraudster. I have to watch them like a hawk and it seems no one else does.

[*Beth*]

I'm so sorry! Do you know, I believe that plenty of dentists are frauds - people who suggest work that doesn't need to be done and/or grossly overcharge. It causes one to have hesitation about seeking dental care. I hope this gets straightened out for you, Emily.

By the way, I'm had a normal cleaning and I've had a scaling on a few teeth and a scaling takes far more than half an hour!

Originally Posted by BethRags

By the way, I'm had a normal cleaning and I've had a scaling on a few teeth and a scaling takes far more than half an hour!

Thank you. A lot of people told me that -- and they said it also usually involves novocaine, which I didn't get.

[Skeezyks]

I don't know how billing is done by your dentist's office. But I think, sometimes, billings are done at some other office entirely. I don't have dental insurance anymore, which can be kind-of a bummer. But at least I know what my bill is going to be before I go in. And since I pay before I leave, there can be no discrepancies.

[~Christina]

I am blessed to finally have an honest caring Dentist that does not overcharge or make up lots of things that don’t need done.

I’m glad you are calling them on that charge. Yes scaling takes much longer than 30 mins.

I hope you get help settling this matter quickly.

[bpcyclist]

Ridiculous.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Emily Fox Seaton

Thank you. A lot of people told me that -- and they said it also usually involves novocaine, which I didn't get.

Okay. It definitely requires novacaine! OMG, without a doubt.

[luvyrself]

Scaling is supposed to be deeper. Here they pressure you to have expensive implants when you could have a bridge. Once a dental assistant pulled the fire alarm because she didn’t like me asking questions LOL!
I’m changing insurance to go back to the Periofontist I like.

[LilyMop]

I notice this too. I have argued bills before. Dentists and doctors are greedy. I don’t understand why they can’t be more fulfilled by being honest and caring versus grabbing at as much money as they can get their hands on. It hurts their patients.

[seeker1950]

I went to a dentist who did very poor work on a partial replacement , and the bilked my insurance for thousands. When I complained about how poor the partial appeared (tooth sticking out on my front teeth!) they acted like it was my imagination. This cost my insurance several thousands. At the time I had dental insurance. I no longer have the insurance, as I'm retired. I went to another honest dentist, whom I knew previously, and he did cosmetic work to fix the appearance of my sticking out front tooth. No longer having the dental insurance, I now pay per visit.

[QUOTE=LilyMop;6664906]I notice this too. I have argued bills before. Dentists and doctors are greedy.[ /QUOTE]

Thank you. That is what is causing our health crisis today not anything else. I wish people would call it out.

But good news.. they called me last night and they are going to resubmit it as a regular cleaning. I have no doubt that if I hadn't told the authorities and left a yelp review they would not have. And to be clear everyone I did try to get them to investigate and they rudely told me I had a scaling. Their apology was "we are sorry that you felt you were mistreated" -- putting it off on me.

They made a big mistake -- huge. I am about to get super good dental insurance and I need work. I would have been happy to go them, but no longer. Off to look for another reasonable dentist.

[unaluna]

Originally Posted by Emily Fox Seaton

Their apology was "we are sorry that you felt you were mistreated" -- putting it off on me.

Wow! They perfected the classic non-apology from personal passive-aggressive to service-provider business-class! Somebody put some real thought into that. Too bad they dont put more thought into actual customer service. Not only that, they totally failed Trumps "Character Counts" Week!