Looking for a new dentist My company has self insured dental insurance. So they pay x amount of the first 500 and then x amount of the next 1000 and so on. Unfortunately...
eran76 replied:
Crappy? You're insurance sounds awesome! You can literally go to who ever you want (once you figure that out). There will be no insurance company shenanigans like waiting periods, or night guards that are covered for periodontal disease but not for you know, people who grind their teeth, there won't be a 3 month wait for the dentist to get paid only to learn that payment was denied due to some arbitrary waiting period or non-covered benefit. You have it far better than most.
Fees in the dental world are... well they're a fraught subject. Most people do not pay the full rate due to insurance, and some without insurance can get discounts based on how they pay (at time of service discounts), or have payments stretched over time using health credit cards (CareCredit) or in house financing. So to quote you a fee over the phone is not all that useful.
Also, most patients, especially those that have not been to a dentist recently, have no idea what it is they need. So quoting you a high or low fee for a procedure may either: 1) scare you off as a potential patient unnecessarily, or 2) potentially under-quote you since what you think you need and what you actually need may not be the same thing, thereby setting up a distrust and feeling of up-selling or bait and switch.
Best advice, talk to your friends, neighbors, co-workers, and go where they go. Also, you can check reviews online. In my experience most patients with your ability to choose any dentist will opt for someone conveniently close to home or work, and if recommended by someone they trust, all the better.
snozzleberry replied:
In addition to what has been said above, I think first and foremost it's important to find a dentist you're comfortable with and trust. I hear people shopping around for dentists all the time, but you never hear about people shopping for cardiologists because of their fees. I would definitely be willing to pay more for a quality dentist who is highly recommended. There may be a reason why a dentist charges less than his peers!
rossdds replied:
The only prices I allow to be told over the phone are diagnostic fees. X-rays, exams etc. Instead of price shopping, find a dentist that a lot of your peers trust and would recommend.
Rabin007 replied:
If you are in Southern California, you can be a member of Brighter https://www.brighter.com for free. You will be able to search, compare and select dentist based on quality and price.
Gertex replied:
Like others have said - I would find out which Dentists your family and friends trust. You could also find 'Best of Ratings' from your local newspaper. When dealing with the Dentist - I would ask what kind of fees they have for cash patients. Depending on what insurance a regular insured patient is with, will represent a 20%-40% automatic deduction for the dentist. They are HAPPY to see cash patients like you and WILL give discounts. However, I would first see if your friends or family LOVE a local dentist. Oh... and if you are in the DFW area I can recommend a couple!
Oh man...painted all day my back and neck hurts I'm gonna need a jaquzzi tomorrow or a good chiropractor. Oh wait I get to go to the dentist again tomorrow..ughhhh