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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default dental malpractice (long)

    Has anyone ever heard of this? I'm becoming increasingly frustrated with my dentist. And no, I don't have dental insurance.

    It all started when I got 10 veneers ($12,500 cash). One of the agreements of the "warranty" of his work is that I have to go to him for all my dental work, including root canals, which he also gaurantees for 3 years. His cleanings are $150-200 too, so overpriced but fine.

    So after a few months after getting veneers, he informs me that I need two cavities filled and a root canal (funny how he never to bother to mention this before I got the veneers.) He quoted me an obscene amount and when I told him I was going to go to a regular dentist to get them done, the price magically lowered. It was a little more than what my old dentist was charging, but he assured me he had better dental tools (and I believe it since my old dentist's office is very out of date) that would mean better care of the problem. And also I wouldn't void my guarantee on the veneers.

    Then one of the cavities apparently decayed more and I needed a root canal about a year later. He gave me a discount, but it was still expensive....but less than another dentist would charge.

    then two of my veneers broke. The first he just kept gluing on until it finally shattered and couldn't be glued on again. He fixed that at no charge, but one of the gluing visits did have a fee.

    When the other veneer broke, he said it was because of decay underneath and I'd need another root canal (so now we're up to 3) and he'd give me a discount on that because of the guarantee.

    oh, and a side note on the veneers breaking....he says they are doing so because my jaw is misaligned and the only way to fix it is to get 10 more veneers on my bottoms ($15,000). No way because I'm not even close to convinced that will fix the problem and HE was the one that messed up my bite to begin with when he put the veneers on. With the way things are going, I'm sure ruining more perfectly good teeth will just cause me more expensive problems later on so I'm just using a night guard. I figure it can't hurt.

    Well, the crown from the first root canal decided to come loose now (2 years after putting it in). it happened when I was in Turkey and I knew I had a cleaninga few weeks after I got home. I figured I'd get it fixed then. Big mistake.

    I went in for my cleaning and was told that it came loose because it was decaying...and it was to the point that the tooth was not salvagable with another root canal. (believe it or not, that would have been good news!) So now I need to get it pulled and have an implant put in(by a peridontist, not him) and then I'd have to come to him for the crown. I asked if I'd get any "discount" on the crown because it was still under warranty. He says no because I didn't come to him immediately after it got loose. Keep in mind that I had him do a full set of x-rays on my teeth 4 months previously. Like why would I think I had decay on a tooth that had been x-rayed and root canaled two years earlier?

    SOooooo.....in summary.

    At this point I've spent over $20,000, about $9000 of which was not cosmetic and most of which is to fix teeth that he previously fixed but somehow decayed even further in a couple of years. I take good care of my teeth. I brush 2x day and floss daily, plus I go in for cleanings and xrays every 4 months, instead of the regular 6.

    now I'm expected to pay another $2500 for the implant and god knows what to him for the crown with no discount.

    I really feel that he is taking advantage of me. At any point it would have been easy to say get another dentist, but I was committed to him because of the gaurantee. if I had any other dentist fix his work, I would have had to pay full price. it really feels like a bad marriage sometimes.

    Well, now since he's saying I have to pay full price anyway, I am certainly not going back to him. But why do I need a tooth pulled that he "fixed" 2 years ago? And it's happening over and over.

    I looked around on dental malpractice (I even asked my dentist if he had malpractice insurance and he was not amused, but he knows I'm running out of patience) and I can't find much on it. it's hard to find lawyers to take the cases because the payouts are so low.

    What would you guys do if you were totally being screwed over by a shady dentist?

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    Featured Member lunchbox's Avatar
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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    I've seen that link, but the thing is that he didn't do anything to make problems worse. I don't have headaches or bleeding gums. I just think he went in to do a job, didn't do it right, and then expects me to pay him again to do it right.

    Plus I've heard that it's hard to sue a dentist because it's hard to find another one to testify against one.

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    Featured Member lunchbox's Avatar
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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    Quote Originally Posted by Emily
    he didn't do anything to make problems worse.

    ...

    I just think he went in to do a job, didn't do it right, and then expects me to pay him again to do it right.
    You sound like an abused wife. It's not his fault he beats me... It's my fault for burning dinner... He does it because he loves me...

    Plus I've heard that it's hard to sue a dentist because it's hard to find another one to testify against one.
    Defeatist much? Lawyer up, and it becomes part of building your case, if you hire the right attorney, you will get the right dentist.

    BTW, if finding a dentist sounds harder to you than getting rolled for $30K, can you please send me $10K?

    EDIT: sorry, $22.5K

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    Veteran Member obscurity's Avatar
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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    also, his work should be guaranteed at least 10 yrs. if not 20. did you say you went to a regular d.d.s for cosmetic, or is he a cosmetic dentist? that's a bad sign, such short lengths of time, it's like he's the jiify lube of dentists, in and out, mass production! i have a lot of experience in what you are going thru, i'm at 12,000.00 myself!

  6. #6
    tampafldancer
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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    wow emily.. i would be PISSED...

    at the point of spending that kind of cash and not having them 100 percent i would be so mad!


    Go to costa rica and get the works done on your teeth. I hate to admit this but i had some work done there (dental work) and everything is perfect 2 years later.

    i had crowns/veneers done in the usa too.

    There was a article in i think either hartford current or ny times a couple of years ago on Prisma Dental in San Jose. Had a ton of good stuff to say. That is what ultimately convinced me.

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    Quote Originally Posted by lunchbox
    You sound like an abused wife. It's not his fault he beats me... It's my fault for burning dinner... He does it because he loves me...


    Defeatist much? Lawyer up, and it becomes part of building your case, if you hire the right attorney, you will get the right dentist.

    BTW, if finding a dentist sounds harder to you than getting rolled for $30K, can you please send me $10K?

    EDIT: sorry, $22.5K
    I'm not trying to come off like this is my fault or he's "not that bad".....I'm just wondering if I have any chance of suing him and getting money for it.

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    tampafldancer
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    Featured Member lunchbox's Avatar
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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    Quote Originally Posted by Emily
    I'm not trying to come off like this is my fault or he's "not that bad".....I'm just wondering if I have any chance of suing him and getting money for it.
    This is America, you could get money even if he didn't mess up.

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    Quote Originally Posted by obscurity
    also, his work should be guaranteed at least 10 yrs. if not 20. did you say you went to a regular d.d.s for cosmetic, or is he a cosmetic dentist? that's a bad sign, such short lengths of time, it's like he's the jiify lube of dentists, in and out, mass production! i have a lot of experience in what you are going thru, i'm at 12,000.00 myself!
    there is no such thing as a certified cosmetic dentist. It's not like plastic surgery where you have to specialize. All dentists do cosmetic work in some way and lots like to do veneers because there is so much profit involved.

    But there are some dentists that do a large number of cosmetic cases, take specialized classes and get certified (mine was at the LVI, which is supposed to be the best). When you go into my dentist's office, you see "before and afters" all over the wall. Yes, he is a DDS, but that's not a bad thing.

    The reason I went to him instead of my regular dentist is because he had this certification and tons of experience in veneers.

    It jsut makes me mad because I feel like I did everything right....but nothing went right.

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    Quote Originally Posted by lunchbox
    This is America, you could get money even if he didn't mess up.
    I guess, but if I don't win that much, then it offsets the legal bills, and then it's futile.

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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    Quote Originally Posted by tampafldancer
    I'm checking it out...thanks

    I mean.....

  13. #13
    tampafldancer
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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    dentists in america SUCK.... (not all, but most i have met)

    Seriously... They are in it for the money only!

    Em, you won't get squat from him. Consult with a laywer just to see though. Tell your dentist you did. Get educated on what you can do about your situation and then throw it in the Dentist's face.

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    I know! he sucks and I can't believe he has the audacity to tell me I NEED 10 more veneers. I argued with him over this for a few visits. I'm stuck in dental hell.

    it really is a bad marriage. The honeymoon was great though!

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    Featured Member lunchbox's Avatar
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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    If you move your post to the lounge, you will probably get a lot more sympathy.

    I thought you posted in DD because you actually wanted help/advice.

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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    ^ Every dentist has to get licensed and keep the renewal up on their license (just like doctors). The best way to stick it to him is to start logging complaints with your local BBB and the Pennsylvania License board.
    http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/cwp/...32631&bpoaNav=

    As for suing for malpractice: http://www.malpracticelawyerinfo.com...GD3b9Q..&cc=us

    http://www.onlinelawyersource.com/me...lpractice.html

    http://www.dms-lawyer.com/area/dental.shtml

    Can't offer you more than that...but it's a start. If you need more help, let me know.

    Also...ask for a full copy of your file. And, stand there while they copy it. By law, you have the right to have a full, accurate copy of any/all work done. You may want to take that paperwork to another dentist and have them do a check-up and see what they come up with.

    I've heard of dentists telling people they need root canals when they really didn't. Get a second and third opinion...

    Report him for "questionable practices" and sue him to recover the losses. And, after all of that, get thee to a new dentist!!

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    I am definitely getting a new dentist. I have to get my records anyway since I want my damned x-rays. No sense paying for another set. I do have all my bills but I want them to know I'm reporting him.

    Is it better to just report or let them know first?

    and lunchbox, I'm not here looking for sympathy. I'm trying to figure out if I can recoup my losses.....I've said that a couple of different ways now. I'm not sure why you seem to believe otherwise.

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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    I would say that you just want a copy of your records...and after you have the complete file, THEN tell them that they'll be hearing from your lawyer and that you are filing complaints with the BBB and also your local Dental Licensing Board.

    But, don't tell them all that until you get your records. From experience, records have a tendency to go "missing" that way.

    Good luck and let us know what happens!!

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    Sitri
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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    Quote Originally Posted by VenusGoddess
    I would say that you just want a copy of your records...and after you have the complete file, THEN tell them that they'll be hearing from your lawyer and that you are filing complaints with the BBB and also your local Dental Licensing Board.

    But, don't tell them all that until you get your records. From experience, records have a tendency to go "missing" that way.

    Good luck and let us know what happens!!
    You know VG you should really be a Life Coach. Good Advice. I have a really good friend that is a dentist. Fortunately he is good. He recently has redirected his practice to more cosmetic because that is where the money is today. They have tons of seminars to pick up basic techniques but, only a few are really good.

    If it really gets sticky and if you didn't care about the publicity, threaten him with an expose and going to the TV station or newspaper. There's nothing better to dry up business than a good story.

    Just make sure you get your records first. They are the only thing that can prove or disprove your initial situation.

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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    That's a bad deal.

    What is the small claims limit in your state, and can you bring a dental malpractice case to small claims? It might be a shot in the dark, but you seem to have a strong case against him for a number of things.

    Feature costumes for sale!

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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    ^ It's anywhere from $8,000-$10,000 depending upon which court hears the case (ie. which court would rule on the case).

    But, it's a good idea. If you contact a lawyer and find out if what he's doing is a "suable" offense (it sounds like it is...) then you get the facts together and submit a lawsuit. You'd get out of paying lawyer fees, but still get money.

    However, sometimes it's better to pay the lawyer fees and have someone who KNOWS what they are doing fight it out for you. A lot of cases are lost because the parties don't know what they are doing and leave out small, but extremely important details.

    So...I would definitely go see a lawyer...and then decide from there.

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    Featured Member lunchbox's Avatar
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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    Quote Originally Posted by Emily
    and lunchbox, I'm not here looking for sympathy. I'm trying to figure out if I can recoup my losses.....I've said that a couple of different ways now. I'm not sure why you seem to believe otherwise.
    Because the only thing you responded to in a non defeatist manner is TFD saying that sucks.

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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    Quote Originally Posted by lunchbox
    If you move your post to the lounge, you will probably get a lot more sympathy.

    I thought you posted in DD because you actually wanted help/advice.
    To which you've given neither.

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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    Lunchbox.....

    I was trying to establish malpractice....which means establishing negligence (which means having to get another dentist to testify against him) and also I mentioned that I didn't have "pain and suffering". That wasn't just to sound like a battered housewife, but that is a legitimate legal complaint that people sue for and win a lot of money over. I don't want to sue willy-nilly because if I can't win (or win enough to cover legal fees), then it's futile. I feel like a broken record explaining this AGAIN, but you offered no advice, so I don't know why you have your panties in a bunch that I didn't take it.

    I've actually talked to my friend (who is a lawyer) and she is helping me. She told me to look up in PA has a consumer fraud bureau. I'm also going to write down everything in a letter and she is going to review it for me.

    I didn't come here to just bitch. I want my money back.....which is why I'm in Dollar Den.

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    Veteran Member candygrrl's Avatar
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    Default Re: dental malpractice (long)

    Quote Originally Posted by tampafldancer
    wow emily.. i would be PISSED...

    at the point of spending that kind of cash and not having them 100 percent i would be so mad!


    Go to costa rica and get the works done on your teeth. I hate to admit this but i had some work done there (dental work) and everything is perfect 2 years later.

    i had crowns/veneers done in the usa too.

    There was a article in i think either hartford current or ny times a couple of years ago on Prisma Dental in San Jose. Had a ton of good stuff to say. That is what ultimately convinced me.

    yeah i actually know a lot of girls who get work done in costa rica. itsj ust a lot cheaper. my friend got her whole top teeth for like less than 6000 in costa rica and the job was amazing. i could probably get you the number if you are interested, otherwise good luck.

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