Dentist recommendation. Retired federal employee w/blue cross dental insurance
 

I have been looking for a participating provider who does not practice what seems to be the standard down here. Been to two dentists and before they even ask your name, they want your insurance info. Then, after x-rays, they hand you a laundry list of things they say you need. They are so happy to tell you what the total cost would be without insurance and what “my cost” would be.
I relocated here one year ago and visited my dentist regularly. I do not have any dental issues. I wanted a cleaning. When I told them that I will call them at a later time, they suddenly became borderline nasty.
I did find a dentist who I referred to my relative because of rave reviews from this forum and my relative loved him. He takes no insurance at all.
I am looking for a reputable, caring, “honest” dentist who is in network with blue cross blue shield, federal employee program. I’ve been paying for coverage for two years and cannot find someone reputable for a cleaning, etc. i will drive out of the area for quality service. Please HELP!

We have Florida Blue, Florida’s Blue Cross BS, and we use Dr Davis at “A Touch of Art Dental Studio” (352-405-6500). We find here very pleasant, knowledgeable, and they will recommend services but are not pushy by any means. Not sure if they accept your Federal BCBS insurance but I’d ask.

Good luck 🍀.

Trailwinds Dental didn't try to upcharge us. We decided they weren't for us but I would still recommend giving them a try.

We're going to try the office at Grand Traverse next.

Heard Marion Dental was good but does not seem to be in network.

Lifetime Dentistry on 441 near the Lowe's is very good. They take all kinds of dental insurance.

Dr. Richard D. Walter on 441 north, The Villages. , does not try to sell you anything, fixes what is needed. Call to see what insurance he accepts 352- 775 -4585

Dr Mark Steele in Leesburg is wonderful.

The Main Street Dentists in Leesburg, downtown on old 44. Larger than a one man shop, full service well done. They are very courteous. As serious dentists they have practices and sequences of service that ensure good dental health .... NOT upselling. BTW, the practice of making recommendations after doing x-rays is a sign of COMPETENT dentistry, not of quack. I don't understand complaining about that.

When we first moved here, dentistry coverage on regular health insurance plans was rare. As it became more common, Main Street Dentists picked up the service of handling health insurance claims.

We're very pleased with them.

Same problem here in UK.
Not with insurance, but just the up-selling.
We still make a four hour round trip to see our old dentist.
Tried another dentist a lot nearer, but all he wanted to do was cosmetic, and when you are in your mid 80's, film star smiles are not a major priority.
My beautiful wife still has wonderful teeth, mine are looking more like a load of old gravestones in a churchyard, but I can still eat an apple, and chew a good steak, so I am happy!

Main Street Dentists in Leesburg are wonderful. Before finding them, I walked out of 2 dentist offices because they were forcing me to have x-rays for a cleaning. You don't need x-rays for a cleaning.

Dentist Recommendation
 

Dr. Kelly Mc Night is great. She is in the Laurel Manor area. No up selling and honest. I have referred her to others who are pleased with her also. Her number is 352 433 0263.

It seems the original poster objects to "the practice that seems to be standard down here" of a dentist wanting to understand a person's needs, and not just answer their "all I want is a cleaning" demand. If the dentist doesn't answer the "cleaning only" demand they're deemed disreputable.

Good standard practice for any first visit is to fully learn what the patient needs for good dental care. That process is the essence of being honest and reputable, and should be desired, not condemned. That long time dentist on Long Island already knew the original poster's history and condition and would do only what asked. A new dentist knows neither. Why imply that they are not honest or reputable if they are practicing standard service?

Yes, you do. You need x-rays once a year. They were being responsible, you weren’t.

Dentist
 

[QUOTE=golfgal44;2272939]I have been looking for a participating provider who does not practice what seems to be the standard down here. Been to two dentists and before they even ask your name, they want your insurance info. Then, after x-rays, they hand you a laundry list of things they say you need. They are so happy to tell you what the total cost would be without insurance and what “my cost” would be.
I relocated here one year ago and visited my dentist regularly. I do not have any dental issues. I wanted a cleaning. When I told them that I will call them at a later time, they suddenly became borderline nasty.
I did find a dentist who I referred to my relative because of rave reviews from this forum and my relative loved him. He takes no insurance at all.
I am looking for a reputable, caring, “honest” dentist who is in network with blue cross blue shield, federal employee program. I’ve been paying for coverage for two years and cannot find someone reputable for a cleaning, etc. i will drive out of the area for quality service. Please HELP!

Monday starts open season for Feds. Switch to Aetna high option and check out Dr Maria Luong at Serenity Dental Spa in Sp Springs. Her office actually researches the best Federal plan each year. I have been going to her for about 10 years.

Monday starts open season for Feds. Switch to Aetna high option and check out Dr Maria Luong at Serenity Dental Spa in Sp Springs. Her office actually researches the best Federal plan each year. I have been going to her for about 10 years.

Retired fed here with GEHA. Marion Dental is a private practice that is NOT a chain. Excellent customer service and excellent dentists.

I'm also a Fed. The problem is that your dental benefits from Blue Cross and Blue Shield are minimal, even on the higher option plans. On a dental cleaning, Blue Cross is going to reimburse you about 10 bucks. Hardly worth filing the claim. You need to purchase a supplemental dental policy. I have Met Life Dental Federal Employee Plan. Costs me about $40/month. It's accepted at a lot of dental offices and pays 50% to 75% of usual and customary fees to participating dentists. I've had no problems finding dentists who accept Met Life Dental down here and my out-of-pocket costs have been very low. Try to sign up for a supplemental dental policy now during open season.

Main Street Dentisr is not pushy and they due process insurance claims. However they are not in any networks so you pay full price for the work.

A touch of art dental studio?????
 

A Touch of Art Dentist was convenient to The Villages, A BIG EXPENSIVE ERROR....Let Me Explain: I had x-rays from a recent dentist sent to them and wanted to have my teeth cleaned. They cleaned my teeth (nothing special 15-min+-) gave me two injections of anti-biotics (?) and I had $800 left over on my insurance which they took and THEN CHARGED ME AN ADDITIONAL $485.!! AND, sent my Insurance Co., a bill for $1700!! They also gave me an estimate of OVER $6000 for completely unnecessary work! IMO, AVOID THIS PLACE!!

Retired fed with GEHA.
 

I use Lake Sumter Dental. They did as you described and gave me a list, but I just ignored it and scheduled another cleaning for six months out. Yearly they will do x-rays and if anything is found, we discuss. Dr. Price.

Been there done that
 

Relocated here 18 months ago. Sounds like the same experience I had at The Villages Smiles on 44.
I am now seeing Dr Jones over on the 441. Jones Dentistry totally surprised me with their kind up front x-rays, cleaning and consultation with Dr Jones. Dentistry as it should be. In and out in about an hour with clean choppers and an appointment in 6 months.
Give them a try.

You need Dr. Shields of Lake Miona Dental Care in Oxford.
 

You need Dr. Shields of Lake Miona Dental Care in Oxford. I too have BCBS for Federal Employees which her office takes. She will take her time with you. Her number is 352-461-0830.

We too use Marion, but don't use insurance. We've been using them for 4 years, even though we are down south of 44.

Before retiring, visited dentist every 6 months, and it's been a long time since any major work was needed. We still visit Marion Dental Group every 6 months for cleaning, checkups, and X-rays. Cost is very reasonable.

Marion accepts very few insurance providers. Does not accept what we have via United Healthcare. Give them a call if you want to see what insurance they accept.

Takes no insurance is your best option. Service Benefit Plan BCBS dental is a bad joke. Not worth the dentist’s time to file the claim, but the claim has to be filed and denied to get any FEDVIP carrier to pay.

Avoid Aspen Dental. They are in network but so incompetent with filing they still have not been paid by Concordia for December ‘22 service. It took them seven months to get the denial from BCBS FEP.

No idea which insurance they accept, but call Marion Dental. I’m very satisfied with their operation.

If you don't mind driving to Ocala, we found a terrific dentist on SR200, have been going there for 8 years and also have BCBS Fed dental. Stickney Dental, 7651 SW Hwy 200, Suite 101, Ocala. 352-854-2000. Insurance allows 3 cleanings/year and he never does anything unless it's necessary....excellent dentist!

Hard to find with Fed BCBS
 

I have been here for 18 yrs and like my dentist. BUT they take no insurance. I have GEHA as my dental ins but you have to file with BCBS first even though they pay next to nothing. I just had some major dental work done (due to not keeping up with my routine visits) and had to see a specialist. She is wonderful. But they just stopped taking insurance. What a nightmare. When this is done I will be looking for new dentists in network too. However, it seems to be becoming normal practice for dentist not to take insurance which means more money out of our pocket.

I habe BCBS Federal Program and use Liza Feliciano at Smile Design Dentistry on 441 in Summerfield. She is very thorough and will take initial x-rays to see the condition of your teeth. She will be up-front with you and be honest. I know her to be an upright person. I go in for 2 crowns on Monday!

Good and bad
 

Touch of Art takes BC and does a good job. Trailwinds Dental is a fraud. They told me insurance would pay for some of my dental, even on paper, but they didn’t stand behind their written quote. They wouldn’t talk to me but they did talk to Seniors Vs. Crime. They told them basically a written quote means nothing. $500 later, and a new dentist, I call the insurance company before I let ANY dentist treat me.

I have my health and dental appointments set up to come back to Minnesota in April. It took me too long to find a dentist that I trust. Been down the road of Florida dentistry as a kid. Never again. I have Cobra for 18 months.

I went to this group six months ago and loved them. Dr. Ivy Tran.
Dental Care At Magnolia
352-626-9033
2203 Everglades Ln
The Villages
They are the most caring dental company that I have ever had. I have Florida blue and they take that and Humana Medicare. I highly recommend them.

Dental Insurance
 

I am a FED. retiree and have lived in TV for 13 years. I have found only one (1) dentist who is a (in the network) dentist. In the network saves you a lot of money, but it costs the dentist the same. Thus, none are "in network". The one who is a network is Lake Sumter Dentist. I used them for a short time, but their work was below par. If anyone knows of other "in network" dentists, please let the others know who they are.

They all want their own x-rays, if I have X-ray month ago they want to do their own. Nexts comes the deep cleaning, even if I had my teeth cleaned 5 months ago. Next comes caps, crowns, and root canal’s were the real money made. Dental insurance more or less useless. They don’t pay till you have banked enough money and then lucky if pays half.

Prime dentistry on Office manager Kristal 352-674-9077 8640 E county Rd. 466
Or Dr. Hall 352-307-1753 Summerfield across from Walmart behind CVS.

Not necessarily true about x-rays, deep cleanings, etc. You just need to go to a better dentist and that may require going outside the bubble. My dentist was happy with previous x-rays (it was a full mouth series) during the new patient visit since they were current, and they don’t suggest unneeded procedures. If you are a new patient, they will probably not be OK with just bite wings from a previous office, regardless of how current they are. They did mention that they have a fair number of patients from The Villages that complained about unneeded procedures by their dentist in The Villages (which was why they switched). You will, in general, require x-rays annually.

I agree about insurance. I self insure for dental. My dentist charges $212 per year for 2 prophies, annual bite wings, and annual exam by the dentist. I don’t recall exactly, but they may be doing a full mouth series, or a panex, every 5 years.

Oaks Dental next to Glenview CC Tennis. I had FEP dental but Dr. Nyguen said GEHA provided better coverage. In my case, she was correct.

he won’t get my vote big on crowns

Dentists south
 

You are the first person to mention Dental Care At Magnolia, which is south of 44. I liked Dr. Jones, but she had so many problems getting paid by my dental plan that she dropped the insurer. I was thinking of just staying with her and paying out-of-pocket, but my husband wants a closer dentist. So I checked out the new Sage Dental on Warm Springs Ave. They were friendly and helpful, but mentioned that x-rays might show that I needed a deep cleaning. When I asked how much that might cost, they hedged, but finally said $250 for a 1/4 mouth. Eventually a deep cleaning may be required, but it is also a cash cow for too many dentists. I will stop into the Magnolia office and check them out.

Not to be mistake, I am not complaining about the x-rays or the recommendations, but what bothered me was the push to replace all my bridges and/or crowns. When I said I wasn’t interested (in disturbing a sleeping dog), they kept pushing and pushing. I don’t care to deal with that. A good dentist doesn’t have to insist on work unless it is an imminent health threat, of course.

Of course x-rays are needed, which I was more than happy to do. But when I am told that all my crowns and bridges should be replaced, don’t you feel that is overkill? I do. Especially since I was seen by my dentist prior to relocating to tv 16 months ago. Hardly enough time for all my crowns and bridges to go bad. I don’t believe in disturbing a sleeping dog that lies. I’m beyond entering a miss America pageant. I just would like the necessities. X-rays, Cavity repair, cleaning, etc.