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Ever refuse a service due to lack of money?

M

Mr.Ritz

Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2011
Messages
26
Well the time has come after pushing the cleaning back before waiting for my insurance to kick in as I did not want a repeat of a 2200.00 dentist bill. The thing is the insurance at this point will only pay for a cleaning and nothing more. The deep cleaning service they want to perform will not be covered for another 10 months. They told me last time they thought I needed one even tho I am only 26 and from my research it shows most people don't get this until 45.

Also, between the last thread I made about this and this one I had contacted my last dentist told him they wanted to perform a deep cleaning at my age. He said more than likely should not be needed. He hasn't seen me but I am thinking about going to see him.

So has anyone been in this situation? I am guessing the hygienist acts like you are insane and tries to make you feel like you are letting your teeth fall out. I assume they pressure you to get this stuff done?
 
I never actually had to refuse (getting the root canal wasn't really much of a choice, the tooth was broken). However, I did tell that dentist that I really didn't have much money at the time (I charged it, and I am still paying it off since August, should have it paid off pretty soon if all goes well). He didn't even charge me what he claimed was full price. I told him I was going to the dental school to get the rest of the work I needed done. Maybe there is a dental school near you that can do it. I'm sort of lucky here, I live near at least 3 dental schools, and a community college here has a hygienist program as well. If they told me right now I needed something that expensive again, I would have to refuse it I think.
 
My current dentist doesn't pressure me into any treatment. He also knows that I do not have dental insurance and that, paying out of pocket, my funds are limited. That doesn't lower his level of care for me at all. When he suggests something, like when I needed to have two teeth extracted due to abscess, it wasn't because I couldn't afford a RC on them, it was just the only option I had for those two teeth. He's honest and would also tell me what he would decide if it was his tooth in question.

I have had dentists in the past try to push treatment and use all kind of guilt trips to get me to go along with whatever kind of treatment plan they have want, along with scare tactics. Fortunately my current office does not do this but yeah, definitely have been there. They make you feel awful when you say, no I can't afford that right now.

I've been fairly fortunate that I haven't had to turn down needed treatment, and also that I have family that would be willing to help me if I just didn't have the money to pay for it.

I actually did invest in a dental discount plan, which we have over here in the states. It costs me $8 per month and has already saved me more then what I would pay in a year for the program. While it probably won't help everyone, I found on it that I actually get better deals on it then my a lot of my family does with their insurance.

And yeah, I have literally had a dentist come into a exam room after seeing that I didn't have dental insurance an say "So how much money do you have for this?" :o

OP - did they give you a reason as to why you needed a deep cleaning over a regular cleaning? It's not so much about age. A lot of people may go there whole lives without getting one while others may have to have them consistently starting when they're younger.
 
My current dentist doesn't pressure me into any treatment. He also knows that I do not have dental insurance and that, paying out of pocket, my funds are limited. That doesn't lower his level of care for me at all. When he suggests something, like when I needed to have two teeth extracted due to abscess, it wasn't because I couldn't afford a RC on them, it was just the only option I had for those two teeth. He's honest and would also tell me what he would decide if it was his tooth in question.

I have had dentists in the past try to push treatment and use all kind of guilt trips to get me to go along with whatever kind of treatment plan they have want, along with scare tactics. Fortunately my current office does not do this but yeah, definitely have been there. They make you feel awful when you say, no I can't afford that right now.

I've been fairly fortunate that I haven't had to turn down needed treatment, and also that I have family that would be willing to help me if I just didn't have the money to pay for it.

I actually did invest in a dental discount plan, which we have over here in the states. It costs me $8 per month and has already saved me more then what I would pay in a year for the program. While it probably won't help everyone, I found on it that I actually get better deals on it then my a lot of my family does with their insurance.

And yeah, I have literally had a dentist come into a exam room after seeing that I didn't have dental insurance an say "So how much money do you have for this?" :o

OP - did they give you a reason as to why you needed a deep cleaning over a regular cleaning? It's not so much about age. A lot of people may go there whole lives without getting one while others may have to have them consistently starting when they're younger.

They just said that I needed one but first they are going to give me a regular cleaning. To see if my gums can recover before the next 6 month cleaning. I think they also said I had a few 3mm pockets.
 
They just said that I needed one but first they are going to give me a regular cleaning. To see if my gums can recover before the next 6 month cleaning. I think they also said I had a few 3mm pockets.

Ah okay, that makes more sense.

While deep cleaning probably doesn't sound like a very fun prospect to you (or to anyone for that matter) it would be beneficial to your teeth if you can afford to have it done. Gum issues can happen at any age and the point is to arrest them so they don't get worse. If you do have the pockets that's when deep cleaning would be advisable. Even though it's more common at older ages, unfortunately you can't go by age alone to determine if you have a condition or need the treatment. :( So wish it worked that way though, since that way I would have skipped a lot of stuff that happened to me in my twenties that usually happens to people twice my age.

While the other dentist may be telling you what you would like to hear - no deep cleaning needed - at the same time he hasn't seen you and may very well decide that you do need that if you see him in person.

If they're this concerned about your gums why aren't they sending you to a periodontist - someone who specializes in this sort of thing? Has it been brought up with you?
 
Ah okay, that makes more sense.

While deep cleaning probably doesn't sound like a very fun prospect to you (or to anyone for that matter) it would be beneficial to your teeth if you can afford to have it done. Gum issues can happen at any age and the point is to arrest them so they don't get worse. If you do have the pockets that's when deep cleaning would be advisable. Even though it's more common at older ages, unfortunately you can't go by age alone to determine if you have a condition or need the treatment. :( So wish it worked that way though, since that way I would have skipped a lot of stuff that happened to me in my twenties that usually happens to people twice my age.

While the other dentist may be telling you what you would like to hear - no deep cleaning needed - at the same time he hasn't seen you and may very well decide that you do need that if you see him in person.

If they're this concerned about your gums why aren't they sending you to a periodontist - someone who specializes in this sort of thing? Has it been brought up with you?

No the dentist didn't talk to me about anything. Just the hygienist was whispering some stuff about needing to use a perio kit to another employee. Then just said to me that you will prob need a deep cleaning but we will give you a regular cleaning to see if your gums bounce back. Also, a big question my old dentist asked. Was why did you get your teeth whiten if you still need god know how much work done? Which I think is a valid question. Me having gum problems wasn't even hinted at until after I spent the 2200.00

But yeah the thing is my insurance will kick in for this in 10 months saving me 1000.00 dollars. If I really need it.
 
Also, I have had heart problems since I was 19. Right now I take heart pills. I really do not want to do something that could hurt me like this. I know people have had heart attacks from deep cleaning and people becoming ill from them
 
First of all 3mm pockets are within a normal range
Secondly to do root planning you must have lost bone and have peiodontal disease.
It is absolutely possible to have bone loss and need periodontal treatment at 26 but the previous poster was right when she said it isn't typically done until later in life.
 
Just got back and things went better than expected. They said that my pockets had shrunk to acceptable levels and I would not need a deep cleaning. I really think using Waterpik helped as I don't really floss too much.
 
I really need to get a water pick. I have issues with flossing, since some of my teeth are really close together. Getting the floss in there and there then having it get stuck....grrr

As for heart conditions, it is very rare to have dental work cause complications. I have heard some horror stories myself, but actually it's very safe to have dental work done. It really also depends on what condition you suffer from and the severity of it. There are many many people out there with heart conditions that receive a variety of dental treatment every year and the vast majority have no complications.

Deep cleaning really has a bad rap. It shouldn't be painful when done and if done when necessary can save both teeth and gums.

I'm glad things are looking better for you, but I'm still confused about the dentist. If they thought your gums would have issues with a cleaning, to the point of doing a test one to see if they heal, why wouldn't they just send you to a gum specialist. Makes no sense to me really.
 
I really need to get a water pick. I have issues with flossing, since some of my teeth are really close together. Getting the floss in there and there then having it get stuck....grrr

As for heart conditions, it is very rare to have dental work cause complications. I have heard some horror stories myself, but actually it's very safe to have dental work done. It really also depends on what condition you suffer from and the severity of it. There are many many people out there with heart conditions that receive a variety of dental treatment every year and the vast majority have no complications.

Deep cleaning really has a bad rap. It shouldn't be painful when done and if done when necessary can save both teeth and gums.

I'm glad things are looking better for you, but I'm still confused about the dentist. If they thought your gums would have issues with a cleaning, to the point of doing a test one to see if they heal, why wouldn't they just send you to a gum specialist. Makes no sense to me really.


Yeah I love my waterpik but when I tell them I use it instead of floss they tell me its not nearly as good but it must work. From my understanding 6 months ago I had two or three 4mm pockets and now they are all 3mm's. But they are still keeping an eye on it.
 
Actually the American Heart Association has new recommendations that really limit when antibiotics need to be prescribed for heart conditions, the move is toward not building resistance to host super infections.....so there goes my nurse self....

great job on the pockets,,,,water piks don't replace floss but they are better than nothing. I water pik first (highly recommended for implants) with the plaque buster tip at a ten speed (sounds like a bike) to loosen plaque and food debris and then brush with a sonicare and then floss......... got my 5's down to a three with no bleeding points last visit....(no angel here- I'm now overdue for a cleaning). The trick is making it part of your routine- honestly I can sense plaque in my mouth, carry my tooth brush and not emabarassed to brush after a meal anywhere.........airports, restaurants, work.....


great job Mr. Ritz...........
 
Another option to flossing for some is the proxabrush
 
I refused ( or rather cancelled ) a crown because

a) I can't afford it.

b) I wouldn't need it if my dentist hadn't drilled so much of the tooth away in the first place !

c) Last crown I had fell off after 9 months and I had to have the tooth extracted.

I've not seen her since but I have a check-up on Tuesday - I'll be interested to see what reception I get :devilish:

John
 
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