Fugazzotto - Lightfoot, D.D.S.

Review: I am a nervous dental patient and therefore do not see a dentist as I should. I went to dr fugazzottos office in the summer of 2012 as my two bottom teeth were starting to "wiggle". He told me I would not lose my teeth but to start "scaling" appointments immediately and if my gums didnt tighten up mabey I would need a "gum graph". he took xrays, whIch I later found out buy his office woman that MY INSURANCE WOULD NOT BE PAYING FOR THEM BECAUSE IM ONLY ALLOWED TO HAVE THEM EVERY FIVE YEARS AND THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO CALL AND CONFIRM BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE XRAYS. I started my scaling, very nice hygenist,respected my fear and did the scaling manually. saved the bottom front, where the teeth were loose, for last. by the time we started the bottom section my teeth were very much looser than when I first saw the dentist two months previously. The hygenist called in her dad, the dentist, to show him how loose they were. dr fugazzotto sent me to dr "*" of quincy for "bonding" so I can finish my scaling. dr "*" wont do the bonding becasue he says, in his words, its a lost cause, the teeth need to come out, theres is no saving them. at this time im thinking hes the jerk because he wont help me save my teeth. I return to dr fugazzotto who tells me "i misunderstood" and that dr "*" wouldnt bond my teeth because I didnt understand that there was a 50/50 chance I might lose my teeth. So he sends me back to dr " *" but when I call to make an appointment he has his worker tell me he wont bond my teeth because it wasnt in my best interest. annoyed, I make an appointment at another quincy dentist asking him to bond my teeth. This dentist says he doesnt understand why I would be sent for bonding when theres is no likelihood of saving my teeth. I told him that with the completed scaling I could get a gum graph and had a 50/50 chance. he told me there was no chance and that the cost of a graph far exceeded the cost of extracting my teeth and getting implants.my fear of losing my teeth was being taking advantage of.I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A BILL THAT SAID MORE THAN BALANCE FORWARD.NO DETAILS. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A CALL BACK FROM *. *. THE BILLING MAN @ FUGAZZOTTOS OFFICE.THE BILL SHOULDNT BE IN MY HUSBANDS NAME AND THEY HAVE NO RIGHT TO THREATEN COLLECTIONS AFTER THE WAY THEY RAN THEIR BUSINESS. WITH ME.Desired Settlement: I DONT THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE XRAYS WHEN A SIMPLE CALL WOULD HAVE PREVENTED ME FROM GETTING THE CHARGE AS I COULD HAVE GOT THE XRAYS FROM MY LAST DENTIST.MY HUSBAND WAS NOT THE PATIENT, THIS BILL SHOULD NOT BE IN HIS NAME. ANY AND ALL NEGATIVE CREDIT REPORTING NEEDS TO BE RETRACTED/CORRECTED AT ONCE! I DO NOT DESERVE TO BE THREATENED WITH COLLECTIONS WHEN NOONE EVER RETURNED MY CALLS, FOR AN EXPLANATION.AND OR SENT ME AN APPROPRIATE DETAILED BILL..I WAS SENT "DENTIST HOPPING" TO TRY TO SAVE MY TEETH WHEN EVERYONE BUT ME KNEW IT WAS AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK THAT WOULD HAVE COST MY INSURANCE COMPANY A LOT OF MONEY. FOR MY HUMILIATION,TIME AND LOSS OF TEETH I DONT THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY ANY PORTION OF MY "SCALINGS" and I DO NOT WANT TO EVER BE CONTACTED BY THIS DENTAL PRACTICE AGAIN.

Business

Response:

Patient * presented to me on 6-6-12 with heavy plaque and calculus (tartar) and evidence of significant periodontal disease. I explained to * that I would require a set of recent x-rays to determine the extent of the bone loss around her teeth. At no time did * indicate that she had had a full series of periapical radiographs taken within a time frame that would provide me appropriate diagnostic information. To the best of my knowledge the existence of such x-rays has never been confirmed. * agreed to have the x-rays taken.

When I reviewed the x-rays with *, I explained the causes of her periodontal disease and its severity. I also explained the need to first remove the heavy plaque and calculus which were present throughout her mouth. In addition, we discussed her lower anterior teeth which demonstrated severe bone loss. I explained the most predictable therapy in the lower anterior area would be to remove these teeth and replace them with either an implant supported bridge or a removable partial prosthesis. * stated that she wished to try and maintain the teeth. I explained that, while the prognosis of maintaining these teeth was limited, we could attempt periodontal therapy around them to rebuild bone after the bacteria had been cleaned out. However, because of the severe bone loss around these teeth, any attempt to perform this therapy would first have to include bonding of the teeth to stabilize them during treatment. * stated that she wished to proceed along this course.

* underwent a series of root planing and curettage visits (commonly referred to as “scaling and deep cleaning”) throughout her mouth to remove the bacteria and heavy calculus which was present. Five of these visits were necessary due to the extent of the calculus in her mouth. These visits occurred between 7/9/12 and 8/27/12.

In the midst of these visits * was referred to Dr. * for a consultation visit regarding bonding of the teeth. I sent a letter to Dr. * once again confirming that * wished to try to maintain her lower teeth, and that it had been explained to her that the predictability of such therapy was not high.

In a subsequent discussion with *, I reviewed what Dr. * had said to her and the obvious misunderstanding she had with him. I had spoken extensively with Dr. * prior to this discussion I had with *.

*’s statement that “the cost of the graft far exceeded the cost of extracting teeth and getting implants” is simply not true. Once of the reason’s * wished to try to maintain the teeth was the financial commitment entailed with four extractions, two implants, and a four unit fixed bridge, which is many times more expensive that attempting to save the teeth. I reiterate that * was told the most predictable therapy was going with the implants, and that attempting to maintain the teeth was questionable at best.

Regarding monies owed for treatment we have performed for * throughout her mouth, * has paid nothing toward her therapy. We have only received insurance copayments for treatment performed. Despite being asked more than once by my front desk staff for payment, no payment has been forthcoming for any visits, including therapy in the rest of *’s mouth, excluding the lower anterior area.

Multiple bills and telephone calls were made to * regarding her balance prior to her receiving a letter stating that she would be send to a collection agency if payment was not forthcoming.

In summary:

We were not informed of an existing series of up to date periapical radiographs which could have been used to diagnose *’s periodontal problems. We have still not been informed of such radiographs.

The therapy performed for * throughout her mouth was necessary due to years of neglect and her severe periodontal disease.

Treatment options were well explained to *, and the prognosis of each treatment option was detailed.

* has made no payment for any of the therapy performed in any areas of her mouth, even excluding the lower anterior region.

Therapy performed has been appropriate and necessary in all areas of **s mouth.

It is unreasonable for * to expect to have had such extensive periodontal therapy performed throughout her mouth and have no financial responsibility for this therapy.

Sincerely,

[redacted] Fugazzotto, DDS

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint.

I understand this is his version of his intentions, ethics aside,the fact remains that I had to contact the Revdex.com in order to get any acknowledgement.My very first bill in aug/sept 2012 read "balance forward" I have been calling since to say I needed a detailed statement as I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ONE. I have been left on hold for 45 min/not one of my calls has been returned from the doctor or his accounting man, and his office staff has obv been instucted not to have any conversation with me since I called and reported that yet another dentist told me his wouldnt bond my teeth,becasue there was a ''Zero" chance of success.My current dentist TOLD ME when and where I had my exrays done and had a copy sent to him, as insurance only pays for one set every five years.

Business

Response:

May 23, 2013

To whom it may concern:

I am somewhat perplexed by the consumer’s response. My staff has never been instructed not to speak with her regarding either her care or her outstanding balance. This outstanding balance was the patient’s responsibility after insurance payments, as was explained at the patient’s consultation visit.

Interestingly, the patient never addresses the question of why her dissatisfaction with treatment rendered in her lower anterior area should absolve her of obligation for the treatment she received in all other areas. Despite this fact, the reality is that continuing to pursue this matter with the patient will undoubtedly prove time consuming and fruitless. As a result, I will be giving the patient a professional courtesy to eliminate any money she owes for services rendered.

This action is no way indicates that the therapy performed for the patient in my office was either improper or substandard. The opposite is the case. However, the patient’s outstanding balance will be eliminated.

Sincerely,

[redacted] Fugazzotto, DDS

The Dr. is friendly and pleasant and his work is good. My complaint is the change in price after the process had started and asking me to sign a new agreement shortly after being given anesthesia and pain medication. Not an above board way to do business.

I am a nervous dental patient and therefore do not see a dentist as I should. I went to dr fugazzottos office in the summer of 2012 as my two bottom teeth were starting to "wiggle". He told me I would not lose my teeth but to start "scaling" appointments immediately and if my gums didnt tighten up mabey I would need a "gum graph". he took xrays, whIch I later found out buy his office woman that MY INSURANCE WOULD NOT BE PAYING FOR THEM BECAUSE IM ONLY ALLOWED TO HAVE THEM EVERY FIVE YEARS AND THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO CALL AND CONFIRM BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE XRAYS. I started my scaling, very nice hygenist,respected my fear and did the scaling manually. saved the bottom front, where the teeth were loose, for last. by the time we started the bottom section my teeth were very much looser than when I first saw the dentist two months previously. The hygenist called in her dad, the dentist, to show him how loose they were. dr fugazzotto sent me to dr "*" of quincy for "bonding" so I can finish my scaling. dr "*" wont do the bonding becasue he says, in his words, its a lost cause, the teeth need to come out, theres is no saving them. at this time im thinking hes the jerk because he wont help me save my teeth. I return to dr fugazzotto who tells me "i misunderstood" and that dr "*" wouldnt bond my teeth because I didnt understand that there was a 50/50 chance I might lose my teeth. So he sends me back to dr " *" but when I call to make an appointment he has his worker tell me he wont bond my teeth because it wasnt in my best interest. annoyed, I make an appointment at another quincy dentist asking him to bond my teeth. This dentist says he doesnt understand why I would be sent for bonding when theres is no likelihood of saving my teeth. I told him that with the completed scaling I could get a gum graph and had a 50/50 chance. he told me there was no chance and that the cost of a graph far exceeded the cost of extracting my teeth and getting implants.my fear of losing my teeth was being taking advantage of.I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A BILL THAT SAID MORE THAN BALANCE FORWARD.NO DETAILS. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A CALL BACK FROM *. *. THE BILLING MAN @ FUGAZZOTTOS OFFICE.THE BILL SHOULDNT BE IN MY HUSBANDS NAME AND THEY HAVE NO RIGHT TO THREATEN COLLECTIONS AFTER THE WAY THEY RAN THEIR BUSINESS. WITH ME.