I'm SO disgusted........ - TMJ Disorder -TemporoMandibular Joint Message Board

CherylLynn24 · 06-12-2003, 03:10 PM

Hey All,

I just got off the phone with my son's old dentist/ortho., and I'm so ticked, I needed to vent.

I also called them in the begining of the week, to ask them to send his records to the new dentist. I asked today if that had been done. "NO, we copy them and that takes time, we got a call from the dentist about this yesterday, and told him the same thing." Now, I have already (in the begining of the week) told them that he will no longer be coming there, this Neuro. dentist will be his 'new dentist', just to let them know that he was no longer a patient of theirs.

Needless to say, I called the new dentists' office back, explained this all. (they feel the office is being ridiculous) She said not to worry, call her in the morning, and if they can't give the impressions and records to me before the close of business, to call her back, and the dentist said he'd call himself.
(this dentist and staff are wonderful)

This dentist is the one that laughed when I told him that his pain was so bad. Real winner, huh? The rest of the staff asked if he was having problems in school or something, and he was probably 'making this pain up in his head'. What a bunch of idiots!

Another thing, most of the dentists/specialists that we've seen are out-of-network. We have had to go through the whole filing-claim process. He's had many visits to many people. It's only taken 2-3 weeks tops to be reimbursed for these visits. His old dentist/ortho. made him a splint in early February that cost us 180.00. We paid this up-front. The insurance paid all but 25.00, for which we were responsible for. I've been calling this 'old dentists' office since then (about every 2 weeks) to get my reimbursement from them. (there's ALWAYS an excuse as to why it hasn't reached us, yet) In other words, they got paid twice, and I know that's illegal. I'm have tempted to call my insurance company and explain this, I'm sure they'd be quite interested.

Well, I think I'm done now. (and feel a little better) Thanks for listening to me vent and ramble on. Some of these professionals aren't even qualified to be "ditch diggers".......

Cheryl

[This message has been edited by CherylLynn24 (edited 10-31-2003).]

DianeTMJ · 06-12-2003, 03:38 PM

Dag gone it Cheryl -
I KNEW they would do that! Okay, first thing in the morning, you call the Ohio Dental Board, you let them know that what is going on and that if you do not get his records and impressions of YOUR SONS mouth that an attorney will be called in as they are delaying treatment of your son.
Ooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh my blood is boiling! I am so mad! How dare they play with his HEALTH! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Oh Cheryl, that is awful that that dentist laughed at Mike sucidial thoughts, oh man, this guys needs a lawyer in his face. Oh how cruel, that should have made him realize that if was not able to help Mike that he needed to say so. Oh Cheryl, you and Mike have gone through so much.
I would go over to that dental office tomorrow morning with police officer at my side.
Do you know that my nueromusuclar dentist gave me all of my impressions. I didn't even ask for them, he said, they are yours, you paid for them and when we need to referr back to them we can.

Sorry Cheryl, I didn't mean to scream so much...okay, time to go do some research on releasing dental medical records.

Oh, I am fine, our floors are being done so I am on and off the internet.
Hi everyone!
Hugs
Diane

DianeTMJ · 06-12-2003, 03:42 PM

It me again -
Okay, be sure and contact your local state helath dept in regard to them not releasing the records
Diane

[This message has been edited by DianeTMJ (edited 10-30-2003).]

TiffanyAnn · 06-12-2003, 04:22 PM

Hi Cheryl:
After reading your post my blood was boiling. I have had similar experiences with doctor/dentist offices in the past especially once they know how disgusted you are with them. Here is what I have done in those cases. I call just as you did and tell them what I need and like you did I call back later to check on the progress and if they continue to be rude the way this office is to you I go to the office in PERSON and I tell them what I am there for. I let them know how many times I have called on this issue and I inform them I am sitting down in the waiting room until they give me what I came there for and I get LOUD if I have to. I tell them I'm waiting and if they don't give me my records etc. I will be back in the morning and I will be sitting there until I get what I came for and while I am sitting there I tell every patient that walks through the door exactly the type of treatment I received in that office. I'm telling you Cheryl, they get your records copied and give your impressions in record time. I am fed up with being treated like this office treated you. I have done this very thing on more than one occasion. They don't like it but I don't like being treated like trash either. I am very persistent and I am not afraid to get loud. This way of handling stuff is not for everyone but it has worked well for me. I would tell them I need my money and I am not leaving the office without a refund check in my hand...and I don't pull any punches.
Tiffany

Arleen · 06-12-2003, 04:25 PM

Hi Cheryl:

You got my blood boiling too! Thank goodness you got Mike out of the care of this terrible dentist. I can't believe someone would laugh when you say your son is making suicidal comments. Unbelievable!

It's the bad dentists who pull things like this. The decent ones are always okay about handing over xrays, impressions, etc.

I went through something similar. The dentist who did my two fillings that started all my bite problems wasn't quick to hand over xrays to me. When my bite problem started, I went back to him ONCE (once was enough) to have him adjust the fillings. I didn't like the way he handled me or the situation, so never went back. Several dentists later, one asked to look at the initial xrays. So, I called dentist #1's office and said I'd like to pick up my xrays. My parents were going near the office, so I said they'd be by to pick them up. When my parents gave me the envelope they were given, inside were not my xrays, but a PHOTOCOPY!! It was a colour photocopy, but still. It's all grainy, unlike the original nice, clear xrays. I called the Ontario Dental Association to find out my rights re xrays and was told I'm entitled to ask for them. In most cases, the dentist's office needs to keep a copy on hand (for x number of years), so they may charge me for having a copy made, but they certainly are supposed to release them. Armed with this information, I called back and mentioned that I'd been given a photocopy. The receptionist said she'd have to check with the dentist. I figured if she gave me a hard time, I'd tell them what the ODA had said. Instead, she came back and said there must have been a misunderstanding (yeah, right) and I could pick up the xray on such and such a day. I did. I ended up with my panorex x-ray but they never included the bitewings I had take. At this point, I don't think they matter. But, it's unbelievable what we have to go through.

I'm sorry you're having this problem. Feel free to vent anytime. You've got good reason. You'll probably hear me venting shortly. I'll tell about my dental appointment today - in a separate post.

Hope you and Mike are doing well

Arleen