Ask the Dentist!
Dentistry is Dentistry
If you’ve read my other posts, you’ll know I’m not a fan of anything or anyone that comes between the dentist/patient relationship. From large dental corporations to dental insurance companies, money is the name of the game.
Large multi-office dental corporations recruit young dentists straight out of school to work in dental chain offices where often dollars made is more important than quality care provided. The lure of a “free” dental exam and cleaning is quickly replaced with a sticker shock treatment plan of work that may or may not be needed. Dental insurance companies sign on dentists to be preferred providers, which amounts to the dentist working for the insurance company. This, in turn, leads to what’s economically better for the insurance company and not what’s best for the patient. Thankfully this is not the norm across the board yet. Some large group practices provide excellent care, but unfortunately, I have yet to find an insurance company that doesn’t have its own best interests in mind.
So, what do you do? My advice is to use your gut feeling when it comes to dental treatment. Ask questions if something doesn’t sound right or you don’t understand something. Ask to have the procedure explained to you. Suppose the dentist refuses or seems aggravated by that request; that should be a red flag. Remember, you have the final say when it comes to your dental care. My job is to educate patients on what I feel is the best treatment and then allow them to make an educated decision about their treatment.
When it comes to dental insurance companies, that’s another story; while very few companies are tolerable to work with, the majority make the dentist’s life miserable. Claims are consistently denied, reimbursements are low, and coverage rules are constantly changed without notification. I often wonder why patients allow dental insurance companies to dictate their dental care. Patients often refuse necessary dental treatment because their insurance does not cover it. Unlike medical insurance, dental insurance has a yearly maximum “benefit,” once that maximum is reached, that’s it. Any costs after that are the responsibility of the patient. Since dental insurance maximums have not changed since the early 1970s, most dental care costs today far exceed the maximum benefits. I’m often asked which dental insurance is best, and my answer is the one that someone else pays for.
Although dental care can be expensive, there are many options other than dental insurance. While our office is not a provider of any dental insurance company, we do, as a courtesy, file and accept dental insurance for our patients and offer financing through CareCredit. Our Loyalty Membership Plan provides a competitive alternative to dental insurance.
For more information, visit our website at www.batonrougedentistry.com or give us a call at 225-926-4203.