Is this kind of behaviors common for Swiss dentists? I'm so angry I really want to stop all the treatments now and go somewhere else. But afraid he might still overcharge me for half of the precedures that are already done. Plus not sure a new dentist will finish up the rest properly since he didn't start at the beginning. Any advices would help!!! Thanks!
I get really bad services from my dentist. I had a toothache and my dentist said he needed to open up and see what's going on inside. Then he just decided to do a root canal without informing me in advance. after he's done, I said you did a root canal without telling me. Then he just bla bla bla. Then when we try to schedule the next appointment, he complained I put pressure in setting up appointment coz I prefer early morning or late afternoon since I don't have anyone to babysit my 2 yr old. Then I said I was only asking a question, of course if you don't have the time slots available, I will take whatever you have!!!??? Not only his attitudes are horrible, I needed two root canal treatments in 3 weeks while I am pregnant. I highly emphazied I would really like to minimze the dental works if avoidable. But he just doesn't really care. Not to mention I think he overcharged me 1300 CHF for one root canal!!!
Are you in Norway or Switzerland - if Switzerland, what part?
There are a few threads about dentists here, take a peek for them. Also, if you are in Basel I can suggest an excellent dentist and members from other regions can suggest ones they've found good for them, too.
Mine in Baden was excellent when i needed reconstruction after a bike accident, granted that was on insurance but, even treatment i've paid for has come with an itemised quote beforehand. You didn't at any point say (perhaps while in pain) 'just do it' did you?
I am sorry to hear about your unhappy experience. Root canal traetment is pianful!
I have only had excellent service from my dentist who was recommended to me by a friend. When I had to have major work done he explained all the options and the pricing before proceeding.
My advice with dentists (and doctors, garages etc) is use one that is personally recommended.
I'm in Oerlikon Zurich. Btw Alan, can you pls tell me which dentist you use if located in Zurich. Is it common if I just stop in the middle of the treatment? If he overcharges me, can I simply not pay the bill? What would happen if I do that?
Well ... I don't think you were ripped off ... that's what all the dentists are like.
And by doing the root channel ... I think he really saved you the trouble of having to go there a second time (and beeing all nervous a second time)?
'Cause usually dental problems only get worse if you don't treat them, so you would probably have ended up there anyway ...
I think he was only doing his job ...
Tom
If I'd like to file a complaint against this dentist. How do I go about it? Is there any Consumer Council I can file a report?
I've had bad experiences with 2 dentists in Zurich but now I have a wonderful dentist
I had been going to my first dentist for a couple if years when on one occasion he told I had a hole in one of my teeth. He filled it and afterwards I realized it was in the same tooth he filled before. I think he might have made a mistake on the previous filling and was perhaps embarrassed to tell me.
Then, that same filling he had just (re)done popped out a few months later. I went to a different dentist as I no longer trusted my first one.
Now THAT appointment was a real party! I told his assistant that my filling had come out.. The young lady wished to check it out and prodded my cavity ever so gently and me being the big baby that I am, burst into tears from the pain. Along came the dentist and did the exact same thing. Of course it was not on purpose but I'm traumatized from that whole event (if not a tad bit embarrassed... My make-up was a mess from all that bawling! )
I am very happy with my current dentist. He's very gentle and totally trustworthy. Plus, he tells me all about really interesting dental things while he's working and it really takes my mind off the drilling, injecting etc
There are a lot of doctors/dentists here that "do work" without informing you - i think they assume that they know better. It is a funny attitude, one that i will never get used to.
With regards to cost - that price doesn't seem outrageous. I have been quoted 4500 for a (2nd) root-canal and 11 000 for an implant. I chose to "wait a bit" - i have broken ribs, legs, elbows, had knee reconstructions and given birth 3 times - the worst thing i have ever done to myself is have a root canal
with regards to being pregnant - please be careful - can the dentist work wait until the baby is there? all those drugs they put in you...
Please update your profile to reflect your current location
If you stop in the middle of treatment, they may charge you for the whole thing. Do a search on dentists, you'll find a few members have had that happen.
As for not paying the bill: The complete guide to bills and what happens if you don't pay them.
Yes, that is okay if I really needed a root canal. But how about if he had said something upfront like 'I'm going to perform the root canal now' before he started to drill. I'm not sure if I really needed one since it was a minor pain. But I assume he is professional and ethical.
In reply to your question my dentist is in Lausanne.
By the way CHF1,300 does not look like an an overcharge - I had to pay CHF1,245.
Any dentist that actually drills out your root canal without telling you is a quack. And you being preggo on top of that, with all the weird reactions people can have to anesthesia in pregnancy, leave that dentist asap. You have to pay the bills, could maybe complain later. But, you have to get a second opinion on his work, in written form first. I was told to wait up with my tooth troubles after I delivered, they did just temporary work to put me through a few months, the real work was done 2 mo after delivery. Dental work in pregnancy is a sensitive thing, some things need to be done so you don't end up delivering prematurely, but some aggressive dental work can actually trigger it, too. We have no idea how far along you are, too. So, be careful.
Teeth problems and gum problems are more common during pregnancy - there's even an old wives tale of "gain a child, lose a tooth" too
My gyno recommended I get my teeth and gums checked during pregnancy. I had wanted to put it off until after, but I know when the baby came I would have put if off again Since root canals are only done on dead teeth, no drugs are needed, so they are safe during pregnancy.
I had a terrible experience at the emergency dental clinic here (AZZ ?). The dentist recommended that he should pull my tooth out and replace it with a bridge. He said that would be the cheapest way, costing CHF 450 + the bridge. When I said I wanted to think about it and ask my sister in law (dentist degree before medicine) he called me a baby I knew that he shouldn't be pulling teeth out when they were infected after this happened with my wisdom tooth, but this dentist wanted to do just that.
My current dentist did a root canal on the same tooth - so I still have it and with 2 visits and xrays the bill came to < CHF 600. No crown was needed and single root tooth.
I just found a good website for comparing dentists tax points too: http://www.zahnarztvergleich.ch/
It is not true that root canals would be safe in pregnancy at all, actually. There is a difference between prevention check ups of teeth and gums (everyone knows one needs those healthy esp during pregnancy) and a major root canal messing. Root canal treatment is quite an invasive procedure, a prego woman should be able to decide and weigh the risks herself. To have that done without any consent, without any consideration for pregnancy, etc. is not right.
I have not heard of a root canal treatment sans aenesthesia. I always had massive amounts since it usually takes much longer before they kick in, for some bizarre reason. Every patient is different, the teeth, the complications, the density of bone in the jaws, some people get really sensitive to the vibrations, etc.. My dentist didn't even want to take an xray when I was preggo, I refused painkillers after the simple procedures, too, while preggo. Sometimes you also need to kill the tooth in order to get the root canal drilled out and cleaned. So, to simply guess every root canal is safe and easy is not correct.
OP, change your dentist. I wouldn't worry about chasing after the old one wanting a payback, I am not sure if one can, would be interested to know as well. Back home, there are chambers uniting all the medical professionals, you can easily file a complaint there and an independent committee judges case by case and then the word spreads, so people are very careful with malpractice. But I have no idea how it is done here.
The truth is, as MarieZug puts it, dental health in pregnancy can be a major bummer for some mamas. I ended up with a bridge, but a nice fancy pretty one..Thinking about it now I would have liked a crown instead but the dentist pushed as well, so one certainly needs to be careful. I blame my teeth partially on my vegan years, though, as well. Calcium and lack there of is tricky in pregnancy and years and decades after that. Hope you have enough or are taking supplements.
I've had bothch jobs, been charged a fortune, had arogant dentist, stupid dentist and one really nice one who removed my front tooth with a pair of pliers.... he probably worked on his bed side manner as his name is Goerring.
So I've given up and found a whole new world of dentistry in Budapest.
Sorry about the root canal. Most dentists try to avoid treatment during pregnancy, unless it is an emergency. (did you have a little hole above the tooth, cheek side, which exuded pus or pulsating pain?)
PREGNANCY GINGIVITIS causes real problems for moms, so take care to clean your teeth properly, both professionally and personally. The hormones play havoc with our mucous membranes..(wet skin...not just mouth..oops)
Good policy in Switzerland is to ALWAYS ask for a cost estimate...it goes for your dentist, as well as your plumber. I don't like surprises.
if it helps, the cost of a root canal is nothing compared to the cost of replacing a tooth....implants and bridges run into the thousands....ouch!
Look at this guy, I had the other day....he was transformed in one hour....I LOVE MY JOB! xoxo
I suggest always going for a second opinion. According to the first dentist I visited in Zurich all the work done by other dentist was bad and I basically shoud change 3 fillings and so and so..went to one more dentis..no problem..perfect, here I am one year after nothing new..so really people do not trust to a dentist blindly..check before getting into the process
after seeing those photos - I think I'm going to develop a fetish for my toothbrush and floss......uuuuugh!
Yes, Michigan, this guy's hygiene was not so good....somehow I don't think he had any relationship...(with his toothbrush..xoxo) at all! And certainly did not understand the idea of dental floss....ugh! Just the same, wasn't it amazing to see the results after just one hour....That's what I like...INSTANT GRATIFICATION...:-))