530eur for 6 fillings

Lainey_b01

It was the New Year and with new beginnings comes resolutions....one of mine was to get back to the dentist for check up. I don’t have a phobia of dentist themselves but I have a phobia of the way most dentist operate. In my recent experience the customer is rarely told prior to the visit the cost of the treatment, options of variant treatments never discussed, highest margin tends to be the option assumed by dentist. Dentist, in view should be regulated by somebody. They, in majority of cases, give the consumer no clear indication of the obligation; it’s assumed that the patient is not cost sensitive.

I was horrified with the outrageous charge of :mad::mad:€530 for 6 fillings in Ranelagh D6:mad::mad:. The treatment itself was great, it's the price I've an issue with

My dentist phobia kicked in when all numbed up mid treatment I was asked if 2 white fillings and one silver was ok with me. I was hardly in a position to argue at that stage! At no stage during any of my sessions with the dentist was price discussed with me. A price list was not visible by me in clinic reception itself. It was only when I got downstairs to the receptionist after the treatment that was I told the soul destroying balance. I had to ask for the breakdown, after a bit of huffing and puffing and taping on calculator I got the post PRSI balance of €178 for 3 fillings.

Knowing that I had 3 more fillings to get I assumed similar price, surely the only variable could surly be the white/silver filing. Disgust, utter disgust..... I instantly thought they had got it wrong, when that didn’t transpire as correct I felt sick, so sick. €348! Again I asked the receptionist why on earth I had been charged an additional €170 on 3 weeks pervious for another 3 fillings. I got a stuttering explanation that the dentist had additional service to do on all three teeth...at €50 extra a tooth??? Really? Not once was I notified of this, only thing I noticed different was a clamp (ripped side of my mouth) on each tooth during treatment. Treatment time was roughly same length. The receptionist did after handing me the invoices tell me if I wanted to speak to the dentist about price but at this stage I had paid, was all numbed up, tired after 90 minutes of treatment and needed air from the price shock. And even if I could find the energy to argue, what could be done about it, take fillings back out. Treatment was done. I was now obligated to pay.

My invoices breaks down to the following:

First session

1 x Amalgam filling €46.05

2 x White filling on back tooth €66.05 €178.14



Second session

3 x White filling on back tooth €116.05 €348.15



All prices are post PRSI, I contacted my old dentist practice in Tipperary (local area) and was informed that the maximum they charge for a filling post PRSI is €60 more generally the cost is €50 per filing. They have issued me invoices and I’ve subsequently paid, but surly their price is not fair, as far as I can see the general agreement is that dentist profession can charge what they like. Are they regulated by any means by either their profession or consumer watchdog???

I feel hard done, I like to contribute to this economy but the North is closer than my old dentist in Tipp. The coin toss goes North at moment. My job is secure at moment but I'm sure their is many people in a more vulnerable position.

eden_my_ass

Definitely get back in touch and demand to know what the extra charges are for, sounds like nothing. I had 9 fillings done recently, all over (don't ask, got lazy for a few years) and they all cost the exact same, back front, easy, messy. Clamps and all!

As for the price in general, you can't do much about their set fees, just avoid them in future if you can do better

ScumLord

I've always found asking before hand usually does the trick.

It is very steep though. I had to get five fillings the last time I went to the dentist. I wasn't charged for the fillings just the visits. It was around €50-€70 a visit. 3 visits I think it was. I was expecting something ridiculous and was pleasantly surprised.

lala stone

Lainey_b01 wrote: »

It was the New Year and with new beginnings comes resolutions....one of mine was to get back to the dentist for check up. I don’t have a phobia of dentist themselves but I have a phobia of the way most dentist operate. In my recent experience the customer is rarely told prior to the visit the cost of the treatment, options of variant treatments never discussed, highest margin tends to be the option assumed by dentist. Dentist, in view should be regulated by somebody. They, in majority of cases, give the consumer no clear indication of the obligation; it’s assumed that the patient is not cost sensitive.

I was horrified with the outrageous charge of :mad::mad:€530 for 6 fillings in Ranelagh D6:mad::mad:. The treatment itself was great, it's the price I've an issue with

My dentist phobia kicked in when all numbed up mid treatment I was asked if 2 white fillings and one silver was ok with me. I was hardly in a position to argue at that stage! At no stage during any of my sessions with the dentist was price discussed with me. A price list was not visible by me in clinic reception itself. It was only when I got downstairs to the receptionist after the treatment that was I told the soul destroying balance. I had to ask for the breakdown, after a bit of huffing and puffing and taping on calculator I got the post PRSI balance of €178 for 3 fillings.

Knowing that I had 3 more fillings to get I assumed similar price, surely the only variable could surly be the white/silver filing. Disgust, utter disgust..... I instantly thought they had got it wrong, when that didn’t transpire as correct I felt sick, so sick. €348! Again I asked the receptionist why on earth I had been charged an additional €170 on 3 weeks pervious for another 3 fillings. I got a stuttering explanation that the dentist had additional service to do on all three teeth...at €50 extra a tooth??? Really? Not once was I notified of this, only thing I noticed different was a clamp (ripped side of my mouth) on each tooth during treatment. Treatment time was roughly same length. The receptionist did after handing me the invoices tell me if I wanted to speak to the dentist about price but at this stage I had paid, was all numbed up, tired after 90 minutes of treatment and needed air from the price shock. And even if I could find the energy to argue, what could be done about it, take fillings back out. Treatment was done. I was now obligated to pay.

My invoices breaks down to the following:

First session

1 x Amalgam filling €46.05

2 x White filling on back tooth €66.05 €178.14



Second session

3 x White filling on back tooth €116.05 €348.15



All prices are post PRSI, I contacted my old dentist practice in Tipperary (local area) and was informed that the maximum they charge for a filling post PRSI is €60 more generally the cost is €50 per filing. They have issued me invoices and I’ve subsequently paid, but surly their price is not fair, as far as I can see the general agreement is that dentist profession can charge what they like. Are they regulated by any means by either their profession or consumer watchdog???

I feel hard done, I like to contribute to this economy but the North is closer than my old dentist in Tipp. The coin toss goes North at moment. My job is secure at moment but I'm sure their is many people in a more vulnerable position.

It's a joke,,, I paid 725e for 5 white fillings, Xray and a "consultation".
Surely charging 100e for an xray and consultation is a total scam!! This was also a dentist in the D6 Ranelagh area!!
Does location matter that much?!!

Lainey_b01

Thanks for all the responses. Eden_my_ass you were right I should have got back to them, a co owner of practice actually contacted me this afternoon. He identified that I had been overcharged in error by one of the dentist in his employment. He highlighted to me that it was practice policy to highlight to each patient the expected cost of treatment prior to treatment and regularly issues written quotes on treatment cost. Additionally he indicated that he would be meeting with the dentist I was treated by and reinforce this policy. He also apologies for my 40 minute appointment delay.

He said that if I was treated by him and multiple fillings were undertaken in one session the cost is derived by the time of session rather that each individual filling. In such cases price of 2 fillings rather than 3 should have been charged. It’s unfortunate that the receptionist didn’t recognise this when I questioned pricing on both sessions, transparency issues prevail! In aim to resolve my bill he is going to issue me with a cheque to refund the overcharge.:):)

He was quite genuine and naturally concerned about the manner in which I was treated and how this reflected on his business and I can empathies with his concerns, still think that only for my moan on the threads I would be still worse off. Even if the dentist made a mistake surly the reception at least should have copped the difference in charging? I was almost too embarrassed to raise question with the dentist yesterday, I expected the same explanation from one I received from receptionist. I thought it was I that was incorrect in my understanding of charges and would only be creating a fuss and delaying another patient whom also had taken time out of their working day. Anyway lesson learnt – always questions when feel getting ripped off for service. The fuss is worth it!

He did state that 120-140 EUR before PRSI for large white filling is average in Dublin, at those prices I will be getting my next check up outside of Dublin. Lala_Stone, think my experience has proved the gap in rates charged in different locations!

davo10

Can anyone offer an opinion on why they think there might be a treatment cost difference between Dublin and country clinics. Why do properties cost more to buy/rent there? Why are wages higher, why is cost of living higher etc ?. Why are all similar items not the same price everywhere?, why are all brands and types of cars not the same price?.

A white filling costs more than a silver filling, a white filling on a back tooth costs more than on a front tooth, a large white filling which covers multiple surfaces (band that was placed around your tooth prevents filling bonding to adjacent teeth and allows you to floss which means filling extended over a number of surfaces) costs more than a small filling on the biting surface. Why?, because the materials are more expensive, it is a more difficult procedure, it takes longer because it must be placed and light cured in layers, it must be polished afterwards and takes longer to adjust contours. You are having fillings that look better and arguably are better for your health, why would you think they would be cheap?. If you want cheap, ask the dentist for the cheapest filling material he/she has, it may not last long but you will feel you have got a bargain.

Remember, the bitter taste of low quality remains long after the sweet taste of low prices has gone.

Big_G

Well said davo10.
Just like everything else, dentistry is expensive in Ireland.
My boss just spent E30000 on a chair. A chair!
My light cure cost E1000. The xray cost 5000 and another 5000 for the developer. We have to pay a nurse. The materials (particularly white filling) are expensive. The stuff I use comes from Japan. Not cheap.
It takes me an average of 45 mins to an hour to build up a multiple surface composite using layering of shades and light curing each layer. How much would your plumber charge you for an hour prior to materials costs? How much for a minor surgical procedure in a hospital setting?
Get real folks.
As an example of how dental supplies cost twice-three times as much just because they are dental - we recently bought a butane torch for E90 from a dental supply company. I found a creme brulee butane torch for E30 in Debenhams which was exactly the same. Anyway, I grow tired...

NUTLEY BOY

I got a straightforward "white" filling done recently for E120. My dentist is near Blackrock (Dublin).

An identical filling at the same practice cost the same 2 years ago.

I understand that white fillings can be more expensive because there may actually be more work involved than with the conventional silver type.

That said, I think that a recession discount might have been in order for a job lot of 6 !!

xxbabydollxx

Those unfortunately are the prices...
Your talking E90-130 for a white filling. PRSI will pay approx up to 30% of this price.
The materials are very expensive, there are no 'discount dental warehouses' as such in this country!!
I do agree that dentists should ALWAYS outline prices before any treatment is carried out and that a max of 2 filling should be done in one sitting, thats 250 euro after all!

autograph

You'll probably get it cheaper down the country but with overheads in Ranelagh, that's what you can expect.

autograph

It will be interesting, now that many prices are falling during the recession, to see if Dental Bills will also fall!

eth0_

Well OP, look on the bright side - you'll probably look after your teeth much better in the future to avoid having 6 more fillings :-D

A dentist is like any other business - you should ask the price before agreeing to the work.