Harbor Dental

To whom it may concern at the Revdex.com, Attached is a document that contains a response along with clinical notes form Ms [redacted] and Mr [redacted] Please feel free to call or email with any questions or clarifications Thank you, [redacted] DDS

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Hello,
I have ordered a copy of our medical records to use in preparation of my response As soon as they arrive I will respond to Dr***'s comments I may need more than days depending on the length of time that they take to send my records This matter has not been resolved
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I am writing in response to a complaint made by [redacted]
[redacted].  On 07/20/2014, Ms. [redacted] called our office because she had a crown
come off and asked if we could re-cement it.  We scheduled Ms. [redacted] an
appointment to determine her treatment options and she presented...

to our office
the following day (07/21/2014).
Upon Ms. [redacted]'s arrival to our office on 07/21/2014, my assistant explained we
would have to take a dental radiograph to evaluate the status of the remaining
tooth, and to rule out dental infection.  Ms. [redacted] argued the radiograph
was unnecessary.  My assistant checked with me, and I explained I would
not be willing to re-cement the crown without taking a radiograph.  The
patient agreed, and we proceeded with taking the dental radiograph.  In
the past Ms. [redacted] has often complained we take unnecessary radiographs. 
In the past I have multiple times explained I would not feel comfortable
proceeding with exams without performing the recommended radiographs.  I have never forced Ms. [redacted] to take any
radiographs, and in the past have given her the option of having her dental
work performed somewhere else. 
In response to Ms. [redacted]’s comment, (“Dr. [redacted] says you need and xray” before
he comes in).  Every morning before
our patients arrive, our staff and myself go over every scheduled appointments
and the procedures we will be doing.  At
that meeting I had explained to my assistant a dental radiograph would be
needed for Ms [redacted]’s appointment.  I
feel my dental assistants are excellent, and do not at all agree with Ms. [redacted]’s
slanderous remarks about us finding them “off
the street”. 
Ms. [redacted] felt our radiograph was unnecessary.  It was explained prior to starting any
procedure on 07/21/2014, we would need the radiograph to determine if the crown
could be re-cemented or if the tooth would need to be extracted.  Even if the patient needed the tooth
extracted, it was explained to her we would need a current radiograph to send
to the oral surgeon so they could see the remaining tooth structure on that
dental radiograph.
In response to Ms. [redacted]’s treatment options, following
the dental radiograph I discussed with Ms. [redacted] we could re-cement the tooth
with questionable prognosis or she could have the tooth extracted by an oral
surgeon.  Ms. [redacted] stated she would like
to re-cement the crown as she requested when she presented for the appointment.  It was clearly explained there was not enough
original tooth structure left on tooth #32 to make a new crown. We showed the
patient that the tooth structure had broken at the gum line with a large
portion of the original tooth structure still being present inside the crown
that had come off.  At that time we
proceeded with re-cementing the crown on tooth #32. (see attached dental radiograph)
Below is a copy of the clinical note signed on 07/21/2014:Limited
exam of lower right. PA radiograph. 
Crown has come off #32.  Discussed
option of re-cementing #32 with poor long term prognosis or having #32
extracted (by oral surgeon).  Patient would like to attempt re-cementing
#32 today. 
Removed
provisional on tooth 32.
Try-in
of crown  3M Scotchbond universal as
tooth and internal crown surface primer, cemented with 3M RelyX ultimate
cement.
 
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Signed on Monday, July 21, 2014 by [redacted] F. [redacted], D.D.S. ----------------
 
In response to the comment about our assistant having
trouble taking radiographs, the assistant was not new, and the assistant was
taking a radiograph of a wisdom tooth while Ms. [redacted] has a severe gag
reflex.  That is a very difficult procedure
to perform.
In response to Ms. [redacted]’s complaint of a lower left
tooth having problems in the past.  We performed
2 fillings on the lower left on 09/09/2013. 
In our clinical notes there was never a mention of a problem with any
lower left teeth having pain or discoloration since that appointment.   (please
see attachment of clinical notes from 09/09/2013-current)
In response to the patient’s complaint about our fees, I
have attached a copy of the patient’s charges for 07/21/2014 totaling $132 in a
document.  The patient has a discount
program (a plan that gives her reduced fees, but nothing is billed to an
insurance company).  The patient was
billed for a dental radiograph $17, a limited oral evaluation $45, and
re-cementing of the crown $70.  These are
all legitimate procedures that we performed and billed to the patient
accordingly.  It was the patient’s
request to have the crown re-cemented that day, even though we gave her
alternatives.  Lastly, the patient asked
if she could pay just a portion of her balance on 07/21/14.  The patient paid $56 on 07/21/14 and agreed
to pay the remaining $76 in August.  We
have to date not received the remaining payment due.  (see the patient’s attached ledger for
details).
Although Ms. [redacted] is obviously upset about the fees
charged to her for procedures we performed, we have never forced any procedures
upon her.  We have frequently been
flexible with her cancelling appointments with no notice, and been flexible in the
past with having her make payments over time for procedures performed.  We have always tried to give Ms. [redacted] the
best care possible as we do with all our patients.
 
Please call or email for any further clarifications or
further documentation needed.
Sincerely,
[redacted]

To whom it may concern at the Revdex.com,
Attached is a document that contains a response along with clinical notes form Ms. [redacted] and Mr. [redacted].  Please feel free to call or email with any questions or clarifications
Thank you,
[redacted]...

DDS

Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because:   I have documented several times in my daily journaling that I went to Harbor Dental several times for one tooth because he could not get it right and it was causing me a lot of pain and he knows it.  The statement about the "gag" is totally incorrect.  The dental assistant was trying to get it and there was no gagging.  She finally went and got the other assistant and she was able to obtain the x-ray right away and he also knows that.  He was with another patient and the dental assistant never talked to him.  I went in to replace the crown period.  He gave me the choice to have it removed or put it back, told him that I went in to have it put back.  If it caused me pain after that, I would have gone to take it out, period.  Why would he need an x-ray if I had those two choices.  If it would have been infected, which, I knew it wasn't, he wouldn't have been involved anyway.  Just the put the darn thing in like I wanted.  Dr. [redacted] never mentions the times they called to cancel my appointments when they had to see another person and Holly would say "oh thank you [redacted]"  you are the best.  I am usually a laid back person and I seem to put doctors, dentists, on a pedestal and trust they will do the best for me.  I told him I had thyroid nodules and I didn't want too many x-rays and with the idea that I already had cancer, I didn't want to put my self in that position.  I know what's best for me. He never smiles, never came in asked I how I was from my cancer treatments.  That is why I said he was probably happy I didn't come want to come back, he doesn't look like he had my best interests in mind.  Sincerely,  [redacted]
Regards,
[redacted]