Hi Kitt,

There will always be a group of some sort that will ignore all the biological data on the toxicity of mercury. Just as the tobacco industry continues to manufacture and market cigarettes in spite of all the data opposing it. It really is hard to ignore or dismiss all the data that has come out about this subject. Even with the thermisol (mercury) in the vaccinations...... how many more children need to become neurolgically impaired before this ingredient is removed for good!

I agree that most everyone would test positive for mercury toxicity at some level. Because as you said, mercury is found in food, water and the air that we breath. So without too much thought....... would you say that's alot of mercury being absorbed by our bodies every day? Now add to that burden our dental fillings which are near our thyroid gland and our brain with vapors continuously come off which are inhaled and swallowed into our digestive system. Mercury toxicity is cumulative...... it builds up in our body's tissue and organs. It doesn't matter what type of mercury we come in contact with, it is the abundance and frequency that creates such levels of unhealthy toxicity.

I truly hope you never experience any ill effects. But there are so many common illnesses that are associated with heavy metal toxicity (not just mercury). How would we know if we were dealing with that or not?

Bryanna

Bryanna,

In ALL areas of the medical field you CAN and SHOULD ask for a cash discount. ALL local dentists here are happy to give a cash discount, because it means that they dont have to deal with the paper work, or tie up office staff to resubmit what has been rejected. If a dentist submits a repair for $100 to the insurance company they typically get about half what they ask for, plus the cost of office staff to track down that payment adds up. It is a COMMON practice to step into ANY medical office, and tell them that you are UNinsured, and are paying cash, and wish to discuss a cash discounted service. You are NOT ripping off the dentist, or any other pro you are seeing, as a matter of fact, they get MORE money from your discounted cash payment, then from the insurance companies that most patients carry. Unless you are in the UK or Canada. So, please know that your paycheck is NOT cut by my discounted cash payment, as a matter of fact, its larger than if I showed up waving my insurance card.

I was not suggesting that they were being targeted because they didnt have insurance. I WAS suggesting that it was handled in an unprofessional manner, and at the very least, it should have received a better explanation of what services they were speaking about. Since you and your family work in the dental field, you already know what they are talking about, but the rest of us that white knuckle our way through visits dont know, and need better explanations of even the basics. This patient spoke of such anxiety that they needed gas to make it through a cleaning with NO cavities. Very anxious people require more detailed, gentle explanations.

I stand by my advice. Seek a 2nd opinion BEFORE allowing drastic proceedures (whether you call them surgical or not) to your body, teeth, or hair. If your gut is telling you something is wrong, WALK AWAY! seek advice from another office.

I think bryanna provided a very nice, well detailed explaination of the proceedure, and I am sure that has relieved a great deal of anxiety, but it should have come from THEM, and you shouldnt have to rely on message boards to get real answers about your dentist has plans to do.

I agree with you Dejibo. Thank goodness I have a decent caring dentist who does explain things. And who is happy to give a cash discount.

You are so right about all the paperwork they have to go thru when insurance is in the picture. This is true of other professionals as well. Thank you for your post Dejibo.

By the way, I do feel that I get the best of care. And my dentist, among many others including physicians where I live, also volunteer their time.

I know because I am perfectly healthy except for my "inherited" neuropathy. CMT also known as HMSN (Hereditary Motor Sensory Neuropathy). And I am not young by any means. Not to say that I won't have any other diseases that are out there to contend with. But so far, so good.

Thank you.

Nothing wrong at all in asking for a cash discount. Even for simple procedures.

It is not cutting anyone's paycheck. The Dr is not having to pay someone in his/her billing department to fill out all the forms and bill the insurance company. Many times having to submit that multiple times. Then waiting for the money. Then more cost in recording and deposting that money.

Cash patients improve cash flow into an office.

(we had a clinic associated with our gym...medical billing and waiting to be paid was a pain in the rear...so yes..cash discounts were given)

Hi Bryanna,

That dentist was going to put in new mercury fillings, this was about 20 years ago. I don't think he had my best interests in mind.

I'm sure that you are an ethical and upstanding dentist, but there are those that are less than honorable in any occupation. I hope you don't think we're directing our remarks toward dentists in general. I appreciate your input on this forum.

Thanks for the support. As a nurse, I have worked in many medical settings, and we encourage those without insurance to ASK for a discount on services, as it saves us TONS of time, money, postage, aggrevation, and telephone time to sort out the many mistakes made by insurance companies. Then we only get pennies on the dollar. My MDs would rather make 75% from Cash paitents than 33% from insurance any day. I am very lucky in that I am over insured, but horrified when I see the bills come in that say my $800 MRI was paid at a rate of $114. My $90 office visit was paid at $17. That makes me feel my MD was cheated.

As an MS patient with a mouth full of mercury fillings, I can tell you quickly i have ZERO intentions of having these puppies removed unless, and until they become an issue. MS was around long before mercury fillings, and I suspect will be around long after we all have those old school fillings replaced with composite. I do go to the dentist every six months, and all of my dentists have agreed that mercury fillings have recieved a bad rap in the press. We have all agreed that once they become a problem, we will replace them, but until then, mercury or amalgam fillings are strong, long lasting and quite cost effective.

On the whole, I have received wonderful medical/dental care within my community, and yes, my MDs as well as my dentist all do volunteer works in the apalachian mountains, and dontate a great deal of FREE medical/dental care right here in our own community. There is a sign on the front desk that says "if you are paying cash, please speak to us about your discount!" Its a minimum of 10% and with extenuating circumstances can be as low as 50% or if you qualify, it can be free.

Dejibo,

I disagree with you about asking for a cash discount when it comes to medical or dental care. Some offices will go along with it if they feel pressured or put on the spot. Others offer it because the location is either poor or the practitioners make a living by participating in set fee schedule insurance plans, similar to medicaid. I personally do not know of one dental office that advertises cash discounts the way you mentioned it. From my chairside perspective, it's not hard to distinguish which patients have received discounted dental care from those who have not. The discounted dentistry is generally quite shocking. Of course the patient doesn't know any better and they think they've gotten a bargain which in my opinion is truly sad.

There is good, bad and mediocre in every industry and not everyone is technically talented. But in most industries across the board, I believe you can only expect to get what you pay for.

Bryanna



.........

Curious,

The majority of dental insurance is different than medical. The claims are filed online in a matter of 2 seconds to a major clearing house and payment is received within 7-10 business days. Rarely is it necessary to follow up the submission of a properly sent dental claim.

The discounted dental plans known as "set fee schedule" plans are similar to medicaid insurance. These claims generally have to be submitted by mail and can take a bit longer to get processed. They can get lost in the mail or overlooked by the insurance company, but this is truly a rarity. The only offices that deal with these types of plans are those that participate in them.

Just thought I'd offer that info out there to everyone ......

Bryanna

I would like to bring this train back up on the tracks.

How did Jack do? What has Jack decided? How is Jack feeling now that he has had a day or two to reflect?