$737 too much for teeth cleaning?

[e36bmw///]

nm

[Lex350]

That's quite high compared to my dentist

[Fcuk]

I'll attempt estimating:

X-ray = 200$
Bone density test 80-100$
Teeth whitening 100-150$

I say 500$ is max but they can charge whatever they please.


Solution:

Ask reception for a price breakdown. Go to other dental offices and ask what the total estimate would be for the work you had done. If you are not satisfied tell your dentist that you price compared and your switching if they don't give you a better deal

[Super_Geo]

I paid $450 for a teeth cleaning w/ x-ray.
Sounds like you're getting hosed.

Interesting side note... it was my first visit to this dental office (new job in a new area of town, wanted to find something close to work). The dental hygienist was cute, she did a good job,, etc... but when the dentist came to take a look at my teeth and review the x-rays, the guy was fucking fat as shit! I'm not sure if anyone else has been to Scotia Dental downtown by West Patio, but yeah... the guy is easily 325+lbs. I couldn't get over it, I didn't go back and have gone to a new dentist since. I don't know what it is, but having a really obese guy in the medical profession telling me what I need to do with my health just doesn't work for me... also, he didn't sound very professional.

[Mar]

They hit me with a $500 bill for a cleaning after having me stand in a machine they flashed on/off a few times.

Apparently the flashing was $75 coming out of my pocket with each switch for the x-rays.

[e36bmw///]

nm

[Mitsu3000gt]

Standard cleaning/scaling is ~$285 I believe. That is what I just paid, and that is an amount that is within the normal range so it's 100% covered by most policies.

Not sure about the X-ray part, but I've gotten full head X-rays and everything and the bill hasn't been $700+.

[max_boost]

That does seem high. Somewhere in the $500 range would seem more reasonable.

[Mixalot27]

I think they usually charge by the amount of time it takes for the cleaning, which is mostly scaling. So if you haven't had a cleaning for several years or you have lots of plaque it will cost more. I usually pay in the $300-$400 range. But one time I didn't get a cleaning for around 3 years and then it cost me around $700 and took a total of around 4 hours.

X-rays can be pricey. I had to get a panoramic one before getting my wisdom teeth out and I believe it cost $125.

[Supa Dexta]

Just went last week it was $163 I think for a full cleaning and xrays.

With no coverage (I was in NS).

[CompletelyNumb]

If your teeth were very bad and they had to do extra scaling then it's within normal ranges. Well, on the high side. The bill should have it all broken down for you. Even if it's 100% covered by benefits they have to give you a reciept for their services.

[cde1966]

If they submitted the bill electronically, you should be able to check the details online with Great West. If they didn't do that and gave you a bill that you paid then two things. 1. you should have all the details and 2. You should go someplace that does submit electronically.

[VWEvo]

Get a breakdown, that sounds high. As for checking bone density, I have no clue what that is.

[ricosuave]

not if your name is austin powers...

[colinxx235]

I payed $270 exactly last night for standard cleaning.

Southcentre/Willow park (?) dentist office

[dimi]

My clean/scale is $250 and they do a very thorough job. Usually around an hour.

[cdnsir]

It was around $500 for an annual exam, cleaning, fluoride, and xray for me.

[BrknFngrs]

I think scaling is charged in "units" of time generally, atleast that's how my dentist bills my insurance company. The price still sounds high, but if scaling took over 2 hours for just your bottom teeth then I suspect quite a few "units" were required to deal with the build up on your teeth.

[beecue]

Wow, I only pay $30 with coverage for cleaning/scaling and fluoride sometimes.

[ringmaster]

Originally posted by e36bmw///
I went in for teeth cleaning and came out with a $737 bill, some of which will be covered by Great West Life

However I also had an Xray of my mouth and a procedure that tests bone density? or something like that.

I was there for 2 hours and only the bottom half was done.
I have a second appointment to finish it.

Is that a fair amount? I'm not even sure if this covers the second appointment

I JUST had a cleaning done 2 days ago and my bill was $273. That was full mouth with fluoride. Although expensive, I'd say that $737 is reasonable when you factor in X-rays and also that bone density thing. If you have doubts though just find a new dentist.