[Rickanvic]

I manage an oral surgery practice (not in this area). This originated from an insurance company advising us that due to the increased cost of PPE's and to give the staff hazard pay due to the fact that it is very difficult to put your staff in this situation, we could bill and they would pay an extra $10.00 each time we saw a patient. This is one insurance company. We have chosen to bill every insurance company this charge, but so far only one has paid. We have made the decision not to pass this charge on to our patients, though our expenses are much greater than they were before Covid. Our income is much less as we are seeing less than a third of our previous schedule.

[chrissy2231]

Doctors poorly rated on Health Grades. Aspen Dental the best!

[biker1]

You are wrong about that. Dentists and hygienist have been wearing gloves as a standard practice for over 30 years. There is a virus that causes AIDS that can be transmitted via blood.

Originally Posted by Choro&Swing

I’ve used the same one dentist dental practice for thirty years, over three changes of dentist. Until a couple years ago, the dentist and hygienist didn’t wear mask, gloves, etc. This year, they are wearing higher quality masks, face shields, disposable gowns, and gloves. Masks and gloves aren’t very expensive, but disposable gowns cost quite a bit. I suspect that your dentist is also paying an unusual amount to a cleaning service, every day, for a much higher level of sterilization than usual. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to find that this cleaning is costing $500 a day (cleaners may be charging more than usual, too). I wouldn’t like that fee, either. I’m with you there. But if dentists have extra costs, they can’t just raise their fees, because whatever they charge, your dental insurance will pay the same flat fee per service. I get more annoyed when a thirty second peek inside my mouth with a mirror is billed as a dental exam that pays more than the charge for cleaning my teeth.

[Jtcoggin@bellsouth.net]

Time to change dentists.

[Fenster]

Report them if they’re price gouging.

[wisbad1]

Originally Posted by jrdonn

Yes. I went in for 2 dental implants which required 4 crowns in addition to the 2 implants, (I had 2 bridges removed). Six months later (as of today) I have excruciating sensitivity. I was told by the dentist that there is nothing that can be done. I wish he would have told me this ahead of time. I would have left the 2 bridges in place as I had no sensitivity problems before he did his work. Poor workmanship. I would not recommend them. Cleaning would be about all I would trust them to do. However, I will find another dentist for future cleanings, etc.

thank you for the warning. we go to dentist in leesburg across from new wa wa, does great job and doesn't look for extra things to make money. highly recommend him.lake advanced dentistry

[Challenger]

Originally Posted by Carla B

My dentist didn't charge a COVID-19 fee when I saw the hygienist recently.

How do you really know ? In the final analysis they will cover all their costs in their "fee"

I would too.

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by ldovermiller

Guess who the landlord is at Village Dental...THE MORSE FAMILY. Wake up people, it is all about the $$$$$$$.

Wow. Quite an imagination to come up with that one.

[Bjeanj]

The American Dental Association approved this fee, per this article: Dentists extract new fee from patients to keep up with rising COVID-19 costs

A summary of this article:

1) dentists need to space out appointments to keep their waiting rooms uncrowded
2) The association, which sets industry standards, gave dentists the green light to charge the extra infection control fee as long as they disclosed it to patients ahead of each visit, a spokesperson said
3) Dentists said they have little or no leverage to force large insurance companies to raise their reimbursement rates. The American Dental Association asked insurers to take into account the additional COVID-19 costs dentists face, and many insurers responded by agreeing to pay extra fees.
4) example: Swish was paying about $6 for a box of 20 masks. Today, $6 buys a single mask. The dental office has installed sneeze guards, staffers are wearing face shields over their masks, and the offices have added air filtration systems and hired additional sanitation staff members to clean the offices every day.
5) estimates that the offices are working at only half capacity since they reopened in mid-May.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by jrdonn

I went to Sumter Landing Dental Care today 6/1/2020 for a follow-up appointment. I was charged a $10 COVID fee. This is ridiculous, they see probably 50 clients a day times 20 business days a month at $10 each client. This amounts to $10,000 additional dollars a month they charge clients to cover the cost of their operation during this COVID crisis. I was told they had to buy different masks than what they normally use, which is BS. They were using the same masks they always use. THIS IS CRIMINAL! What are they using the 10K a month for (because of the virus)? They already use medical-grade masks and already have hand sanitizer. They are taking advantage of the clients to line the greedy owner's pockets. I would love to see them return the unnecessary fee they charged us during this uncertain time. They are a disgrace to take advantage of their clients this way!

Was charged a $ 10 fee for a mask at Rolling Acres Dentistry. I had my own mask, but still got charged. Had to take it off anyway in the chair. Had another problem. Sat in their waiting room the next day for 2 hours before getting in to have fixed a MISTAKE that THEY made. Will put that office in my rearview mirror!

[Bjeanj]

Originally Posted by ldovermiller

Guess who the landlord is at Village Dental...THE MORSE FAMILY. Wake up people, it is all about the $$$$$$$.

I notice that you have posted 4 times since you joined TOTV in 2012.

When, exactly, are you planning on finding out exactly who runs what around here? There are classes you can take to find out, if you took the trouble. Otherwise, your comment suggests that you don’t know what you’re talking about.

So, if the Morse family is the landlord, what exactly does that have to do with what a tenant charges for their services?

I suggest you work on educating yourself on a few matters so you don’t embarrass yourself further.

[DeafDeaf]

Quoted from ADA:

Last month the American Dental Association, which sets industry standards, gave dentists the green light to charge the extra infection control fee as long as they disclosed it to patients ahead of each visit, a spokesperson said.

So the dentists will say "The infection control fee is helping us mitigate the costs of the extra expenses."

Why don't dentists just raise prices, instead? Dentists said they have little or no leverage to force large insurance companies to raise their reimbursement rates.

However, the American Dental Association asked insurers to take into account the additional COVID-19 costs dentists face, and many insurers responded by agreeing to pay extra fees.

So you tell your dentist to do the same!

[jellybean428]

their greed is unbelievable. hope all their patients rebel against this...change dentists!!

[peisermp]

Originally Posted by jrdonn

I went to Sumter Landing Dental Care today 6/1/2020 for a follow-up appointment. I was charged a $10 COVID fee. This is ridiculous, they see probably 50 clients a day times 20 business days a month at $10 each client. This amounts to $10,000 additional dollars a month they charge clients to cover the cost of their operation during this COVID crisis. I was told they had to buy different masks than what they normally use, which is BS. They were using the same masks they always use. THIS IS CRIMINAL! What are they using the 10K a month for (because of the virus)? They already use medical-grade masks and already have hand sanitizer. They are taking advantage of the clients to line the greedy owner's pockets. I would love to see them return the unnecessary fee they charged us during this uncertain time. They are a disgrace to take advantage of their clients this way!

Your dentist is obviously taking care of his bank account instead of his customers. Someone else will be happy to take over. If you don't mind giving me the name of the dentist, I'll be happy to never go to him.

[bpascani]

Thanks for this info. Was shopping around for a new dentist....it WON'T be them!