root planing and scaling costs

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Keith M - 24 May 2004 22:21 GMT

I did see the message from April relating to a similar topic --- the
SNR was a little low, however! :)

I'm guessing if there was a s.m.d. faq, this would be in there. I
didn't see one....

In a Pittsburgh suburb, a local dentist's office has suggested I need
a root planing and scaling. My current dental insurance plan (Cigna)
does not cover the procedure, since it falls under the category of
"Major Services", which are not covered. I can change my plan(next
year) to include these at additional cost, of course.

They want to charge $460.00 total for the procedure. They are
breaking it up into two sessions, one half per appointment, using
local anesthesia.

Does this price sound about right? A different local dentist's office
charges $240 for the same procedure.

Both procedures would be performed by a dental hygienist.

Is the $460 out of line? Is there a reason (besides profit motive)
for why one would be double/half the other?

Thanks,

Keith M
Pittsburgh

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Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS - 24 May 2004 22:31 GMT

> I did see the message from April relating to a similar topic --- the
> SNR was a little low, however! :)
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> Keith M
> Pittsburgh

Most dental plans I'm familiar with classify periodontal treatment as
basic, not major. I could be wrong about your particular plan, though.
Root planing is a very tedious, time-consuming process if done
correctly. That's a big if though. $460. is not out of line if done
right. $250. is too much if done wrong.

Steve

Signature

Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY

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dck - 22 May 2006 11:05 GMT

>> I did see the message from April relating to a similar topic --- the
>> SNR was a little low, however! :)
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
>Steve

I have been told I need Root Planing and Scaling. I had this done 2 years ago
and paid $550.00

After that I had been getting my teeth cleaned every 3 months. I had to
cancel my last cleaning and tried to reschedule 2 months after that. They
would not set up an appointment till after I got my regular checkup which
they could not do for 3 weeks. The dentist said I needed 4 crowns on my
bottom back 4 molars and everything else looked fine. Crowns would cost $625.
00 each with partial gold with some other metal mixed in. All gold $800.00
each - this is my co-payment. I asked for this in writing and seems to be
$2468.00 for 4 crowns.

The pricing is here http://www.webdck.com/crown.html I scanned and uploaded.
It shows it would be $4660.00 without insurance.

Also they said I had not had a cleaning for over a year which their records
are incorrect. They spoke of the first hygienist as my last cleaning, but
when she changed her days off I was given another hygienist they seem to be
confused. It was about 5 months when I spoke to them on this instance.

I then set up a cleaning where they could not see me 4 another 3 weeks. So
now it has been 7 months since last cleaning. Thought I was just going in for
regular cleaning. Again I have another hygienist 3rd one. Suddenly he said I
needed Root Planing and Scaling. He left the room and a women came in and
showed me paperwork for cost their "treatment coordinator"

Then hygienist came in and did first treatment for $95.00.

He is the breakdown in cost the "treatment coordinator" gave me - I asked for
a copy.

They say without insurance this would cost over $1500.00 as you can see here -
http://www.webdck.com/price.html - I scanned and uploaded.

Am I being totally overcharged. Is this somehow correct? Should I simply
change dentist all together.

Any help in this matter is greatly appreciated...

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Le Huart - 26 May 2004 00:54 GMT

Root planing is BASIC dental therapy. It currently averages about $200 per
quarter or 800 total. So, 460 is a reasonable, and probably low, fee.

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Chris Stehlik - 26 May 2004 08:27 GMT

> Root planing is BASIC dental therapy. It currently averages about $200 per
> quarter or 800 total. So, 460 is a reasonable, and probably low, fee.

I got quotes of around $340 per quadrant for root planing and scaling
here in the San Francisco Bay Area. From 2 different perios.

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Joel M. Eichen, D.D.S. - 26 May 2004 12:52 GMT

WOW!

Those guys must be rich!

JOEL

>> Root planing is BASIC dental therapy. It currently averages about $200 per
>> quarter or 800 total. So, 460 is a reasonable, and probably low, fee.
>
>I got quotes of around $340 per quadrant for root planing and scaling
>here in the San Francisco Bay Area. From 2 different perios.

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Joel M. Eichen, D.D.S. - 26 May 2004 12:51 GMT

YUP, all relative.

Houses used to cost what SUVs cost today!

JOEL

>Root planing is BASIC dental therapy. It currently averages about $200 per
>quarter or 800 total. So, 460 is a reasonable, and probably low, fee.

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W_B - 26 May 2004 16:18 GMT

>Root planing is BASIC dental therapy. It currently averages about $200 per
>quarter or 800 total. So, 460 is a reasonable, and probably low, fee.

Many indemnity plans have moved periodontal therapy into
the MAJOR class.

$200 - 400 /quad depending on geographic location.
--

W_B

Take out the G'RBAGE
wubbabubbazG@RBAGEyahoo.com

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