L
Laura86
Member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2019
- Messages
- 99
- Location
- Australia
Hello,
My dental phobia is about as extreme as you can get, so a special needs dentist (I have autism) gave me a plan where I would get an OPG X-ray that they could access online without me seeing, and then we would book a general anaesthetic/day surgery after they analysed the images. Due to stress, phobia and anxiety, I have requested not to be told specifically what treatment will happen under the general anaesthetic until the day. This in itself is a compromise- I desperately wanted to not be told until after general anaesthetic procedures, but legally I have to give prior consent. They are going to pre-medicate me for the 60 minutes or so between giving consent and going under anaesthetic.
Today, I was contacted with a quote for the dentist alone- $3835 (Australia). This is separate to the cost of the hospital and anaesthetist. They have said that part of that cost is additional loading for the work being done in hospital, but even taking that into account, I’m in complete shock that I need treatment amounting to that much when I’m not in any pain at all and can’t see visible evidence of major issues. The same dentist had told me that I would well and truly know and feel pain if I needed a root canal or extraction, so does this mean I need $3000 worth of fillings? How is that even possible?
I’m very perplexed as to how I could need procedures costing nearly $4000 when I’m in no pain. I’m not worried about fillings or root canals as they aren’t likely to give me a painful recovery, just scared of the prospect of extractions. How likely is it that I could need teeth out without having had any pain beforehand? I’m really hoping I’m just being overcharged for multiple fillings/scaling or something.
To be honest, I’m far more scared of the procedure and possible pain afterwards than having to pay the money, so I’m really hoping I’m just being massively overcharged. Going to a different dentist isn’t an option as I need a special needs dentist who can plan and perform procedures according to my needs.
Thanks for any advice
Laura
My dental phobia is about as extreme as you can get, so a special needs dentist (I have autism) gave me a plan where I would get an OPG X-ray that they could access online without me seeing, and then we would book a general anaesthetic/day surgery after they analysed the images. Due to stress, phobia and anxiety, I have requested not to be told specifically what treatment will happen under the general anaesthetic until the day. This in itself is a compromise- I desperately wanted to not be told until after general anaesthetic procedures, but legally I have to give prior consent. They are going to pre-medicate me for the 60 minutes or so between giving consent and going under anaesthetic.
Today, I was contacted with a quote for the dentist alone- $3835 (Australia). This is separate to the cost of the hospital and anaesthetist. They have said that part of that cost is additional loading for the work being done in hospital, but even taking that into account, I’m in complete shock that I need treatment amounting to that much when I’m not in any pain at all and can’t see visible evidence of major issues. The same dentist had told me that I would well and truly know and feel pain if I needed a root canal or extraction, so does this mean I need $3000 worth of fillings? How is that even possible?
I’m very perplexed as to how I could need procedures costing nearly $4000 when I’m in no pain. I’m not worried about fillings or root canals as they aren’t likely to give me a painful recovery, just scared of the prospect of extractions. How likely is it that I could need teeth out without having had any pain beforehand? I’m really hoping I’m just being overcharged for multiple fillings/scaling or something.
To be honest, I’m far more scared of the procedure and possible pain afterwards than having to pay the money, so I’m really hoping I’m just being massively overcharged. Going to a different dentist isn’t an option as I need a special needs dentist who can plan and perform procedures according to my needs.
Thanks for any advice
Laura
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