Dentist overcharging-£3000 for Mouth Disinfecting

Mcasey100

Hello
I went to the dentist who said I needed mouth disinfecting. The cost is £3000. I was pretty shocked but I know I have bad gums so was prepared to pay. He did the first of two sessions yesterday. It cost £ 1400 and took him 40 minutes. I think I am being ripped off. HOw can he charge that? I am calling to get other quotes to compare but I dont know if I am comparing like for like. 

Can anyone help?
Thanks 

The_Unready

Did you research what other (reputable) dentists charge for that service? If so, how do your dentist's charges compare?

MattMattMattUK

What do you actually mean by "Mouth Disinfecting"? Scale and polish, deep clean below the gum line, with or without antibiotics and additional treatments, debridement of dead flesh etc?

Mcasey100

MattMattMattUK said:

What do you actually mean by "Mouth Disinfecting"? Scale and polish, deep clean below the gum line, with or without antibiotics and additional treatments, debridement of dead flesh etc?

Deep clean below gum line....no antibiotics. Local anasthetic,  It was completed by a periodontist. I admit it is a specialised treatment but the cost shocks me. Everywhere I can just see the costs are 'from xxx' starting from £200

Mcasey100

The_Unready said:

Did you research what other (reputable) dentists charge for that service? If so, how do your dentist's charges compare?

Theres a lot of 'costs are from £xxx' starting at £ 200. It all seems very vague. Just £1450 for 40 mins work......I feel so ripped off

darrensurrey

I get your concern with the rate but you need to look at how specialist the work is. I paid £600 for root canal work. The person who did it specialises in tooth pulp (endodontist). My NHS dentist said they could do it for £200 but it's more likely that the tooth can be saved if this specialist does it. As I'm rather attached to my tooth (sorry, not sorry), I decided to fork up for the £600. It will also require a crown for about £300.

You could request what women used to request in the 1940s before they got married - have all their teeth removed to save the husband money. Get dentures instead. Even the thought of that horrifies me.

Exodi

I've spent a fair amount on dental work (£10k+) and whenever any treatment with non-negligible costs was being considered, I'd be provided with a treatment plan and a quote that I'd agree beforehand after an initial consultation.

I'd never walk in, not having a clue what he wanted to do, watch him have a play around in my mouth for half hour then hold his hand out saying "3 grand please". Are you saying this is what happened?

Mcasey100

darrensurrey said:

I get your concern with the rate but you need to look at how specialist the work is. I paid £600 for root canal work. The person who did it specialises in tooth pulp (endodontist). My NHS dentist said they could do it for £200 but it's more likely that the tooth can be saved if this specialist does it. As I'm rather attached to my tooth (sorry, not sorry), I decided to fork up for the £600. It will also require a crown for about £300.

You could request what women used to request in the 1940s before they got married - have all their teeth removed to save the husband money. Get dentures instead. Even the thought of that horrifies me.

Yes I get that - but £600 is not £3000!!! 

Mcasey100

Exodi said:

I've spent a fair amount on dental work (£10k+) and whenever any treatment with non-negligible costs was being considered, I'd be provided with a treatment plan and a quote that I'd agree beforehand after an initial consultation.

I'd never walk in, not having a clue what he wanted to do, watch him have a play around in my mouth for half hour then hold his hand out saying "3 grand please". Are you saying this is what happened?

No, Im not. I was told I needed the work. I was told the price beforehand. I am a nervous patient and as I was told I needed the work, I agreed. I didn't expect it to be such a quick process.  I don't understand how that charge can be justified.,

Exodi

Mcasey100 said:

Exodi said:

I've spent a fair amount on dental work (£10k+) and whenever any treatment with non-negligible costs was being considered, I'd be provided with a treatment plan and a quote that I'd agree beforehand after an initial consultation.

I'd never walk in, not having a clue what he wanted to do, watch him have a play around in my mouth for half hour then hold his hand out saying "3 grand please". Are you saying this is what happened?

No, Im not. I was told I needed the work. I was told the price beforehand. I am a nervous patient and as I was told I needed the work, I agreed. I didn't expect it to be such a quick process.  I don't understand how that charge can be justified.,

As I suspected - unfortunately the opportunity to shop around was before you approved and the treatment started.

FWIW, I agree the price is probably higher than average for full mouth disinfection, but you knew the price beforehand.

Toothsmith

It is going to cost way more to have 40 mins with a specialist periodontist than it is to have 40 mins with a hygienist. 

The devil is very much in the detail. 

There is no way you will be able to get quotes by just ringing up and saying 'How much do you charge for a full mouth disinfection?' You will need to go round visiting (and paying for) another specialist periodontist to have a look at your mouth and seeing what they think. Were you referred to that specialist by your own general dentist, or did you just decide yourself that this specialist periodontist was the place for you?