Originally Posted by NotGolfer (Post 2306057)

This story is familiar---especially for new folks, but we're not new here. We've had a handful of dentists in the almost 15 yrs we've lived here. They leave or insurance changes (which most recently happened with us). Thought I'd found someone but I'm getting frustrated with them. It's Wildwood Dentists on Hwy 44....yes I've recently heard things that are negative re: them but they'd seemed fine with us. I had to have crowns and today they were to be inserted. I called yesterday to double-check on the app't because the last time something happened re: the lab. they use. Well I get there at appointed time, was told to take a seat and waited maybe 15 or 20 minutes when they called me up. I was told the lab was confused or some convoluted thing and things wouldn't be ready for another week. It's already been THREE!! We have FL Blue so looks like I'll be making phone calls around to find someone whose more reliable. I don't want to drive all over the area (we live between 466 and 466A). Can anyone recommend reliable dentists in this area. When ever, in the past, we thought we'd find found someone and was with them awhile then their circumstances changed. I know this one is a large corporation (didn't know that in the beginning) so suspect it's about profits etc. I'd thought they'd use a local lab but apparently not. I'm mostly venting but word of mouth here seems to work pretty well, generally. TY!!

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2306220)

It depends on whether your plan is a PPO or a POS or an HMO. Lifetime Dentistry on 441 near Aldi's only accepts PPO plans. Florida Blue, Delta, Cigna, etc.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2306267)

Personally, I don't believe in dental insurance. Unless someone else, like an employer, is paying the premiums, does it really save any money? I am a Federal retiree, and the Federal Government offers dental insurance, but they don't pay any of the premiums. So, I don't buy it. I think the major benefit for dental insurance is for the dentist, who charges more to someone with insurance.

Originally Posted by Topspinmo (Post 2306091)

IMO Dentist only want to do what they want. Which is don’t want pull teeth no matter how bad. They want to root canel recap run up bill for their next Vegas trip :throwtomatoes: then blame it on you need deep cleaning another racket to run up bill. Dental insurance about as good as appliance insurance pages of tiny print that gets them out of paying virtually nothing except cleaning and when have to have some costly work done good luck getting them to come close to paying half. Good luck in your search, hope have better luck than me :grumpy: O by way I’ve been here 11 years find that most businesses in Florida rip off. :MOJE_whot:

Originally Posted by NotGolfer (Post 2306057)

This story is familiar---especially for new folks, but we're not new here.i like lake quality dental We've had a handful of dentists in the almost 15 yrs we've lived here. They leave or insurance changes (which most recently happened with us). Thought I'd found someone but I'm getting frustrated with them. It's Wildwood Dentists on Hwy 44....yes I've recently heard things that are negative re: them but they'd seemed fine with us. I had to have crowns and today they were to be inserted. I called yesterday to double-check on the app't because the last time something happened re: the lab. they use. Well I get there at appointed time, was told to take a seat and waited maybe 15 or 20 minutes when they called me up. I was told the lab was confused or some convoluted thing and things wouldn't be ready for another week. It's already been THREE!! We have FL Blue so looks like I'll be making phone calls around to find someone who’s more reliable. I don't want to drive all over the area (we live between 466 and 466A). Can anyone recommend reliable dentists in this area. When ever, in the past, we thought we'd find found someone and was with them awhile then their circumstances changed. I know this one is a large corporation (didn't know that in the beginning) so suspect it's about profits etc. I'd thought they'd use a local lab but apparently not. I'm mostly venting but word of mouth here seems to work pretty well, generally. TY!!

Originally Posted by NotGolfer (Post 2306057)

This story is familiar---especially for new folks, but we're not new here. We've had a handful of dentists in the almost 15 yrs we've lived here. They leave or insurance changes (which most recently happened with us). Thought I'd found someone but I'm getting frustrated with them. It's Wildwood Dentists on Hwy 44....yes I've recently heard things that are negative re: them but they'd seemed fine with us. I had to have crowns and today they were to be inserted. I called yesterday to double-check on the app't because the last time something happened re: the lab. they use. Well I get there at appointed time, was told to take a seat and waited maybe 15 or 20 minutes when they called me up. I was told the lab was confused or some convoluted thing and things wouldn't be ready for another week. It's already been THREE!! We have FL Blue so looks like I'll be making phone calls around to find someone whose more reliable. I don't want to drive all over the area (we live between 466 and 466A). Can anyone recommend reliable dentists in this area. When ever, in the past, we thought we'd find found someone and was with them awhile then their circumstances changed. I know this one is a large corporation (didn't know that in the beginning) so suspect it's about profits etc. I'd thought they'd use a local lab but apparently not. I'm mostly venting but word of mouth here seems to work pretty well, generally. TY!!

Originally Posted by Pairadocs (Post 2306376)

Totally agree with ALL your "vetting" plus, the "deep cleaning" is something that should be considered very very carefully, for most people the risk is not worth it. Those are not my words, they are the words of the daughter of my best friend who just got her D.D.S at a VERY well known and respected university ! BTW, she also had actual classes and textbooks (she showed them to us while visiting during this past Christmas) on how to "sell" additional procedures, this at what is considered one of our better dental schools ! Hummm....

Originally Posted by NotGolfer (Post 2306057)

This story is familiar---especially for new folks, but we're not new here. We've had a handful of dentists in the almost 15 yrs we've lived here. They leave or insurance changes (which most recently happened with us). Thought I'd found someone but I'm getting frustrated with them. It's Wildwood Dentists on Hwy 44....yes I've recently heard things that are negative re: them but they'd seemed fine with us. I had to have crowns and today they were to be inserted. I called yesterday to double-check on the app't because the last time something happened re: the lab. they use. Well I get there at appointed time, was told to take a seat and waited maybe 15 or 20 minutes when they called me up. I was told the lab was confused or some convoluted thing and things wouldn't be ready for another week. It's already been THREE!! We have FL Blue so looks like I'll be making phone calls around to find someone whose more reliable. I don't want to drive all over the area (we live between 466 and 466A). Can anyone recommend reliable dentists in this area. When ever, in the past, we thought we'd find found someone and was with them awhile then their circumstances changed. I know this one is a large corporation (didn't know that in the beginning) so suspect it's about profits etc. I'd thought they'd use a local lab but apparently not. I'm mostly venting but word of mouth here seems to work pretty well, generally. TY!!

Originally Posted by Michael 61 (Post 2306317)

Hardly a week goes by where one of friends/neighbors/team members doesn’t share their frustrations with the challenge of finding a good dentist here in The Villages. So many of us still patronize our old dentists from the states we moved. Poor service and aggressive up-selling seems to be more prevalent here for some reason. I’m not saying there aren’t competent and ethical dentists here, it’s just that you have to be tenacious in your quest to seek them out.

Originally Posted by NotGolfer (Post 2306057)

This story is familiar---especially for new folks, but we're not new here. We've had a handful of dentists in the almost 15 yrs we've lived here. They leave or insurance changes (which most recently happened with us). Thought I'd found someone but I'm getting frustrated with them. It's Wildwood Dentists on Hwy 44....yes I've recently heard things that are negative re: them but they'd seemed fine with us. I had to have crowns and today they were to be inserted. I called yesterday to double-check on the app't because the last time something happened re: the lab. they use. Well I get there at appointed time, was told to take a seat and waited maybe 15 or 20 minutes when they called me up. I was told the lab was confused or some convoluted thing and things wouldn't be ready for another week. It's already been THREE!! We have FL Blue so looks like I'll be making phone calls around to find someone whose more reliable. I don't want to drive all over the area (we live between 466 and 466A). Can anyone recommend reliable dentists in this area. When ever, in the past, we thought we'd find found someone and was with them awhile then their circumstances changed. I know this one is a large corporation (didn't know that in the beginning) so suspect it's about profits etc. I'd thought they'd use a local lab but apparently not. I'm mostly venting but word of mouth here seems to work pretty well, generally. TY!!

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2306220)

It depends on whether your plan is a PPO or a POS or an HMO. Lifetime Dentistry on 441 near Aldi's only accepts PPO plans. Florida Blue, Delta, Cigna, etc.

Originally Posted by NotGolfer (Post 2306057)

This story is familiar---especially for new folks, but we're not new here. We've had a handful of dentists in the almost 15 yrs we've lived here. They leave or insurance changes (which most recently happened with us). Thought I'd found someone but I'm getting frustrated with them. It's Wildwood Dentists on Hwy 44....yes I've recently heard things that are negative re: them but they'd seemed fine with us. I had to have crowns and today they were to be inserted. I called yesterday to double-check on the app't because the last time something happened re: the lab. they use. Well I get there at appointed time, was told to take a seat and waited maybe 15 or 20 minutes when they called me up. I was told the lab was confused or some convoluted thing and things wouldn't be ready for another week. It's already been THREE!! We have FL Blue so looks like I'll be making phone calls around to find someone whose more reliable. I don't want to drive all over the area (we live between 466 and 466A). Can anyone recommend reliable dentists in this area. When ever, in the past, we thought we'd find found someone and was with them awhile then their circumstances changed. I know this one is a large corporation (didn't know that in the beginning) so suspect it's about profits etc. I'd thought they'd use a local lab but apparently not. I'm mostly venting but word of mouth here seems to work pretty well, generally. TY!!

Originally Posted by Duppman (Post 2306418)

I've had to use VIP Dentistry 3 times, including once to remove sutures from a procedure up north. I wasn't charged for this, and the other visits were great. I don't have dental insurance so I can't tell you what they take.

Dentist, The Villages, FL | VIP Dentistry

Originally Posted by Topspinmo (Post 2306334)

I’ve got the POS plan….

Originally Posted by NotGolfer (Post 2317007)

Someone suggested getting the insurance list of providers. Did that!! I actually found two different lists but neither were helpful. Some practices I called weren't helpful and others---I found you had to pay your "required" 2X/yearly cleaning etc. out of pocket. Our ins. pays that and I don't want to mess with us doing it and getting reimbursed. Then there's the people on these threads who can't resist typing an answer or response that isn't even helpful. Still looking for someone for care. ALL I need is dental checks 2X/yearly and cleanings. Thank you for your responses.

Originally Posted by MsPCGenius (Post 2318935)

I had an appointment yesterday at my "new" dental practice. They did complete x-ray & gum work up and advised I needed deep cleaning.

I said no thank you, please just do normal maintenance cleaning (which I have had for the last 40 yrs with my former dentist). They would not. Something along the lines of "we can't do a healthy mouth cleaning when you have areas of bacteria".

I declined and politely left. Now I will look for another "new, new" dental practice, have work up from "new" practice released, and start over.

I was very irritated that my right to choice was taken away.

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2306355)

It saves money if you need dental work. Because I have periodontal disease, I can't get "regular" cleanings, which cost around $150 twice a year, not including fluoride treatments or xrays. I have to get "periodontal maintenance" which runs around $200, 4 times a year, not including fluoride treatments or yearly xrays. With my dental plan, I pay $64 each time. The dental plan itself costs me $17/month. Basically I pay around 50% less than "retail price" for all dental work, after I factor in my premium as part of my yearly expense.