user

Got a cavity and I visited a few dentists. It seems to me
that besides fixing my cavity, all dentists like to throw in
some package, either a teeth whitening or take-home dental
care kit that costs $400-$500.

I think the color of my teeth is fine. I would be
uncomfortable if my teeth is as white as those of the girls
on the wall. And I think what I've been doing, brushing
after meals and flossing daily and use electric toothbrush
for hard-to-reach places, may not be enough, but is all I
can do. Whatever home kit that takes me more time and
effort would overwhelm me. And the price isn't a small one.

So my question is if it's okay for me to refuse these
packages and just have my cavity fixed. One assistant did
say these are options, but I feel if I don't accept them,
the dentist would feel bad and think he's not making enough
money out of me (I have a HMO plan), then he would do a bad
job with my teeth. Does it happen like this?

mark & steven bornfeld dds

Refuse the kit. If you're not treated right, call the insurance
company and tell them. If the dentist insists you get the kit, call the
state board for dentistry.

Steve


--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001
http://www.dentaltwins.com

shirdent

Yes, it's OK to have the tooth fixed and forgo the cosmetic treatment.
If the dentist has his/her feelings hurt, that's OK too. Being a business
owner is a tough job.
I would encourage you to consider having your teeth cleaned if they haven't
been in a while.

Shirley Gutkowski, RDH, BSDH
"Everbody wants to save the earth - nobody wants to help Mom to do the dishes."
- P. J. O'Rourke
~~~~~~~~~
http://www.dentistry.com/poralhealth_02.asp

joel m. eichen d.d.s.

I am wondering which HMO ...... most do not care at all!


--
Joel M. Eichen, .
Philadelphia PA
STANDARD DISCLAIMER applies:
<You fill it in>

joel m. eichen d.d.s.

This is why many dental offices and stopped playing Yanni at the
Acropolis and are leaning more towards Country and Western ......

"Ohhh, My Hurtin' Dental Feelings ......."

"Ohhhh, My ache- - -ing ........."

Get it!

On 28 Aug 2003 13:44:09 GMT, shirdent@aol.commonly (Shirley Gutkowski

--
Joel M. Eichen, .
Philadelphia PA
STANDARD DISCLAIMER applies:
<You fill it in>

wb

That's right, not a member of any DMO, HMO, PPO, etc...
They are a bad deal for everyone except the plan administrator

wb

I don't have a problem if a patient questions my
proposed treatment plan, and am happy to explain
my reasons for any of my suggestions.

However, I *do* have a problem being questioned
by someone who was not there, and did not
examine the patient. ie. the "plan admin."

If they just want pictures in addition to radiographs
that'd be OK by me.

WB

the webby

Realizing that smd, sci.med.dentistry , is a newsgroup for discussing the
medical *and* the dental aspects of dentistry, we need to keep in mind that
major medical health plans, PPO or HMO or???, are related to the needs of
some "dental" patients. If a person needs to be hospitalized for care
involving some type of dental professional, the costs can become very high
in a hurry. In my case, I have a specific team that takes care of me and
I'm not a good example of the majority of people who seek the care of an
OMFS.

So .... sci.med.dentistry .... let's not forget the "med" part of smd!

The Webby

in article 0i4skvsr7setvc6ebfrvui5291apcdgvih@4ax.com, Joel M. Eichen D.D.S.

dentaldoc

It has happened like this for years.

The problem is that you are using a dental HMO. The dental HMO's that
I have examined have one problem in common: they do not pay the
dentist fairly for his work. In order to make a living, the dentist
has to find a way to make a profit, not a loss! Since the HMO payment
is not sufficient to provide a living, an HMO dentist has to sell you
other things not covered by the HMO.

How else could he earn a living, if the HMO payment isn't enough to
cover costs?

Dump the dental HMO and then choose your own dentist who is willing to
listen to you and discuss freely what you NEED, not just what he can
sell you.

- dentaldoc

mark & steven bornfeld dds

I see things slightly differently. You make it sound as though the problem is the HMO. I know
I couldn't survive doing good dentistry in an HMO setting. Besides that, I am philosophically
opposed to the entire concept of pushing the insurance function onto the dentist (but that's another
story). For that reason, I would never participate in an HMO. You make it sound like gaming the
system is the only logical choice. I see it as a lack of ethics that permits someone to go in with
the intent of gaming the system.

Steve


--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001
http://www.dentaltwins.com