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    JodyLDavis's Avatar
    JodyLDavis Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Sep 9, 2007, 04:29 AM
    Do Dentists have a patient blacklist?
    I went to a dentist in my small town. Her assistant saw me, and made a future appointment. I was told that a prescription for pain would be called in to the pharmacy that was located across the parking lot from the dentist. I asked that the prescription not be called in to that pharmacy, because I used another pharmacy in town that was open weekends. It wasn't called in. I spent the weekend in HUGE pain, and called the dentist, leaving many messages, none returned. When I complained to the front desk at my next appointment, I was told that they ONLY used the pharmacy that shares their parking lot.

    Long story short, the dentist apparently didn't like the calls I made in the night. She tacked a few hundred dollars onto my bill, and had me kicked out of the dentist chair mid treatment. Sounds unbelieveable? I know. I was shocked!!
    I went to another dentist in town and he refused to see me.
    I went to yet another dentist in a nearby town, and she put me off two weeks, but at least gave me a prescription for the pain.
    Third dentist did a root canal. That was two days ago. While in the chair his assistant said to him, "aren't you going to do the other root canal?" He answered something about her loyalty to him. She looked stunned. Tonight I am in pain again. The rootcanal tooth is throbbing. I believe he only did one of the two roots.
    I BELIEVE THE DENTIST BLACKLISTED ME!! What, if anything, can I do?
    Emland's Avatar
    Emland Posts: 2,468, Reputation: 496
    Ultra Member
     
    #2

    Sep 9, 2007, 04:58 AM
    Probably not a blacklist per se, but I bet they play golf or attend meetings together. I imagine if you made yourself a pain in the neck, the first one said something to the others about it.

    If you are in the US, they have the right to refuse treatment. I can't imagine the last one skipped a root on purpose, simply because that would be misconduct on his part (there are more than 2 roots there.)

    Next time you want a prescription other than where they do business, ask for a written prescription and take it wherever you choose.
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
    Expert
     
    #3

    Sep 9, 2007, 05:11 AM
    Yes, they check often to see if there are outstanding balances or other patient issues. ( esp in small towns).
    So it is very possible that the girls in the office call and check if there are any problems with payments. So if you have not paid the bill at the first dentist most likely that is effecting.

    NOW, they can not refuse to allow you to use the drug store of your choice. In fact they are not suppose to even tell you which to use.
    You can report the first dentist to the medical board for this.
    flossie's Avatar
    flossie Posts: 1,903, Reputation: 181
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    #4

    Sep 9, 2007, 11:58 AM
    There should not be any such thing as a black list. As with any health care profession there is a patient-dentist confidentiality. The privacy information act here in Canada prevents any information being passed from office to office without the patients written permission.

    I believe that doctors on a golf course have more interesting topics to discuss than patients who may not be "ideal" in their eyes.

    The other thing I question is why does the dentist only use the pharmacy in that location? He/she must be getting some kind of kickback from the pharmacist.

    I'd contact your local(state) dental licensing body/dental association and question them as to whether the treatment you were given by ALL of the dentists is ethical.

    It's a shame that we can't trust our health care professionals anymore isn't it?
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
    Computer Expert and Renaissance Man
     
    #5

    Sep 9, 2007, 12:06 PM
    I would also file a HIPPA violation (if you are in the US). What the first dentist did at best unprofessional.

    A practitioner does not have to call a pharmacy with a prescription, that's a courtesy to you. Usually the only time a practitioner will call in a prescription is when the patient can't come into the office to get a written Rx. So I don't understand why they just didn't give you one while you were there.
    Emland's Avatar
    Emland Posts: 2,468, Reputation: 496
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    #6

    Sep 9, 2007, 12:26 PM
    I work for an answering service that handles after hours emergency calls for all kinds of doctors, including dentists. It is amazing the number of pain pill requests they get when the office is closed. Many have strict instructions to never call for prescription related issues. There are so many people trying to get more pain pills than they need, if you get my drift. I'm not implying that is the case here, I am just explaining why your calls may have been ignored.

    Additionally, if your calls became threatening, etc. that may have been another reason for the dentist to refuse to see you any further.

    As for one not seeing you, there could have been more than one reason. My physician will only accept new patients that are referred by long time patients. He has more patients than he has time slots. The other agreed to see you, but not immediately, that is also not unusual.

    I'm just suggesting that there could be other issues besides a blacklist.
    renee78's Avatar
    renee78 Posts: 37, Reputation: 6
    Junior Member
     
    #7

    Sep 9, 2007, 05:10 PM
    Agreed. Being in this profession, if I have a patient that is extremely rude, aggressive, etc we certainly do not go out of our way to accommodate them. Only in severe and few circumstances have we refused to see someone... and that was for much worse than you described. Flossie is right, the people in your last dental office cannot talk about you or your dental treamtent with other professionals, unless it is a written referral to a specialist, for example. I would like to add however, that I know A lot of dentists and none of them play golf... Stop stereotyping dentists as money hungry, sadisistic golf players! :)
    flossie's Avatar
    flossie Posts: 1,903, Reputation: 181
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    #8

    Sep 9, 2007, 05:45 PM
    "............Stop stereotyping dentists as money hungry, sadisistic golf players! "

    Those are physicians!! LOL

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