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Main Forums => Pre-HAART Long-Term Survivors => Topic started by: aztecan on July 16, 2012, 10:52:14 pm

Title: An odd turn of events
Post by: aztecan on July 16, 2012, 10:52:14 pm
I went to the dentist today for my semi-annual teeth cleaning.

It was a new dentist because I received a letter in the mail stating my former dentist had closed up shop unexpectedly and that I needed to find a new dentist.

Word on the street was my former dentist started having seizures or something.

Today, I found out what people should have said was his license to practice dentistry was seized. 

Seems my old dentist was not doing all of the things he should have been doing to protect people's teeth and he is now being sued for malpractice.

I rarely hear of dentists being sued, but this one is. The state board of dentistry also revoked his license.

I guess that is why he closed up shop.

As if that weren't enough, I had a very thorough exam today by the new dentist and staff.

Six months ago, my former dentist told me all was well and sent me on my merry way.

Well, he apparently missed a few things - like multiple cavities, a tooth that needs a crown, and a bridge that has been in place so long it is worn away, exposing the tooth underneath.

It's a good thing I floss.

Anyway, the bill to get all of this stuff done will be a bit more than $5,000.

But, first, I am having my surgery next month.

Then I will get started on the teeth. I have to figure out what my dental insurance covers and what I will be responsible for and then take it in stages.

In the meantime, no chewing on ice cubes or hard candy. I also have a new high-potency tooth paste I am supposed to use right before bed to help stave off, or at least slow down, any further deterioration.

I find this whole turn of events somewhat annoying and disturbing.

I am annoyed because a lot of the problems found today could have been addressed during the past few years rather than letting them pile up.

I am disturbed because I didn't realize the quality of the dental care I was receiving was substandard. I had been going to the former dentist for about 20 years.

One woman who works at the new dentist;s office is someone I have known for years. She was working at a pharmacy nearby and I often went there to pick up meds for clients.

She said I was lucky because, being anal as I am, I had taken pretty good care of my teeth and flossed all the time, which she said probably saved my having more serious issues to deal with.

She also said some of the other patients coming in from my former dentist's office were not so lucky.

I'm lucky and it's going to cost me more than 5 grand, I hate to think what others are facing.

Anyway, this wasn't exactly a rant, but more of a bewilderment on my part.

HUGS,

Mark
Title: Re: An odd turn of events
Post by: J.R.E. on July 17, 2012, 12:54:30 am


Today, I found out what people should have said was his license to practice dentistry was seized. 

Seems my old dentist was not doing all of the things he should have been doing to protect people's teeth and he is now being sued for malpractice.

I rarely hear of dentists being sued, but this one is. The state board of dentistry also revoked his license.

I guess that is why he closed up shop.


Mark


Makes one kind of wonder what else was taking place. Like insurance fraud. Hope he was keeping his dental tools sterilized.  That sucks big time, for people who thought they were getting the best care.



Ray
Title: Re: An odd turn of events
Post by: denb45 on July 17, 2012, 09:28:56 am
WOW  Mark   :-[  it's horrible, I've been going to the same Dentist here in ABQ for the last 10yrs. I've lived here, I even referred Bob my otherhalf to the same dental practice ( for new dentures)  ;)

to date I've never had any
problems ( most all my teeth are all crowns anyway, with a lower partial) I used to have very good dental Ins. about 12 yrs ago, (Delta Dental)

 2yrs ago I had an older bridge break and DOH didn't cover it, so I had to come up with $2700 bucks, I was very lucky I had it saved up...

Well look at it this way, you will have a nice smile when it's all said and done, it really sucks just how had you had to find this out, you could have gone to another dentist, had you have known  :-[

I hope that dentist get's SUED, he deserve it, at least  >:(

Hugs

Dennis  :)
Title: Re: An odd turn of events
Post by: bear60 on July 17, 2012, 11:12:49 am
Its a real blow when one discovers that health care professionals are not always what they appear.  All the more reason to ask questions and be proactive about health issues.
Sorry about the 5000, Mark.
Title: Re: An odd turn of events
Post by: AlanBama on July 18, 2012, 11:30:43 am
Tough news, Mark.  $5,000 is a lot, for ANYBODY.

I am fortunate, in that we have a dental clinic in with our HIV clinic.  I am on the Ryan White plan, and it covers most everything they do, except for nominal copays.   The problem comes in with the TIMING.   It takes forever to get in, and when you do get in, you have to plan to waste an entire day, because you will end up sitting in the waiting room and/or dental chair for LONG periods of time.   I sat in the dental chair awhile back for 5 hours.   That, to me, is insane.   They are just so overwhelmed with patient load....and having to make dentures and bridges, etc, for so many who have gone without dental care for years.   I still have all my own teeth, but almost every tooth has some 'work' on it; I have 10 or 12 crowns, have had quite a few root canals, many fillings, bonding, etc.   Like you, I try to take good care of my teeth and gums, at least brushing and flossing several times each day.

I hope you are able to get your problems taken care of.   I agree, right now you should concentrate on your other surgery.

I keep joking with a friend that we should go get dentures; they have these ads on TV for "one day dentures".  Can you imagine?   How does that work?  Do they have a closet full of dentures, and they start trying them out to see which ones fit and which don't?   Just seems nuts to me.... ;D

HUGS, Alan
Title: Re: An odd turn of events
Post by: Buckmark on July 18, 2012, 11:39:52 am
Mark,

So sorry to hear about your dental woes.  $5,000 is quite a chunk of change.

Many dental insurance plans often only cover a fixed (and often small) dollar amount each year, e.g., I am limited to $2,000 per year.  If yours is similar you might want to work with your new dentist on list of priorities, and get some of the work done this year, and the remainder next year.

I've been seeing my dentist for 20 years... now I'm wondering if I should check up on her.

Hugs,

Henry
Title: Re: An odd turn of events
Post by: denb45 on July 18, 2012, 11:45:55 am
Alan, funny you mentioned this  ;D

I wanted  a full set of dentures, ( like my otherhalf has) but, my Denist told me

" I would never do this, as you have all crowns and a lower partial, and those crowns are still attached to viable teeth"


Mark, I'm in agreement w/ Henry, that 5K really SMARTS  :-[

I'd try to do all of that over a period of time  ;)


Hugs

Dennis
Title: Re: An odd turn of events
Post by: aztecan on July 18, 2012, 11:20:01 pm
Mark,

So sorry to hear about your dental woes.  $5,000 is quite a chunk of change.

Many dental insurance plans often only cover a fixed (and often small) dollar amount each year, e.g., I am limited to $2,000 per year.  If yours is similar you might want to work with your new dentist on list of priorities, and get some of the work done this year, and the remainder next year.

I've been seeing my dentist for 20 years... now I'm wondering if I should check up on her.

Hugs,

Henry

Hey Henry,

Yes, I have an annual limit too. Mine is $1,500. So, I am looking at getting the cavities taken care of, and probably the crown. (They are running a special on crowns right now, only $950.)

Then, next year, I will look at replacing the bridge. That would eat up just about the entire year by itself.

HUGS,

Mark
Title: Re: An odd turn of events
Post by: jm1953 on July 25, 2012, 11:39:01 pm
Hey Mark,

I'm sorry you had to experience this.  The dentist should be held accountable ideally and pay.  Hopefully he will in the long run.

Ironically, kind of the same thing happened to me.  The dentist did not go out of business or be sued, but last year when I was in for a cleaning he said all was good.  This year I went for x-rays and cleanings, one of two a year, and he said I needed eight crowns.  Eight!  Plus some minor work on my front teeth.  Each crown is around $1,200 a pop.  My insurance covers $1,500 so that was gone in a second. 

I asked him how all this could happen in less than one year.  He blamed it on old work and HIV.  He might be right, but I couldn't believe none of this evident less than a year ago.

He's a nice guy and has allowed me to pay as I go doing the teeth according to priority of need.  But still, something fishy.  So I understand your frustration even though the circumstances are a bit different.

My advice, find which teeth need the work immediately, and then go by priority.  Sometimes dentists have a payment plan too.  Mine doesn't but some do I hear.

Good luck and keep us in the loop, 

I think you might have said you have surgery coming up also.  If so good luck with that.  Take one thing at a time.  And my life is like yours, when it rains it pours.

Big hug,

Jeff
Title: Re: An odd turn of events
Post by: Theyer on July 27, 2012, 03:45:35 am
Sorry to hear your news Mark, my childhood dentist  had his licence revoked , the gossip said drinking , and I am still dealing with what he did not do. After the chemo induced gum infections and the Jaw bone problems due to previous treatment for osteoporosis my mouth is a graveyard and I get my treatment from the Dental Hospital. One off the reasons I am back in London is to begin dental work and I am hoping it will not include being sedated, for some reason I am as high as a Kite when I come round with an overwhelming need to tell all I love them.
Good luck to us all
Michael