Dear Dispute Resolution Services,As per your request, I would like to respond to these concerns regarding treatment and dental services which were rendered to this patient. This treatment had been rendered with the very best care and intentions. Our practice, Tribeca Smiles has always been committed to the highest levels of patient care and excellence. I love being a cosmetic dentist and I love treating patients. We have amassed over a thousand five star reviews and continuously strive to deliver the finest that dentistry has to offer. I am extremely concerned regarding any patient upset within the practice and will do any reasonable efforts to resolve this issue amicably. When a new patient enters our practice, we perform a comprehensive exam including Xrays and photographs and create a complete treatment plan. This plan is presented discussed and reviewed with the patient. A comprehensive discussion of proposed treatment, fees, and payment arrangements is had with the treatment coordinator. Options for paying up front or in installments are discussed based upon the patient accepting comprehensive treatment. All of This is done prior to commencing treatment. This is our process. This patient had entered our practice on 3/**/16 for a consult. She returned, accepted and commenced treatment. The patient was well-informed of her treatment options and expenses. She received care in our practice for a period of well over six months. She never had an issue with the quality of the care that she received. My treatment notes indicate that on 8/**/16 the patient told me she was distraught with our fees. Prior to accepting care in our practice this patient had consulted in multiple other high quality practices. The patient initially presented in partially completed treatment that somebody else had begun and not finished. We consider our practice to be one of ethics and excellence. This particular case is complex, technical and lengthy. It is a challenging case and an expensive case. This patient was treated on no less than eight separate dates before deciding to cease treatment in our practice. The patient's initial consult fee of $150 was credited back to her ledger. A refund check was issued for $1500 to the patient. Our practice has incurred thousands of dollars in laboratory costs on behalf of this patient. There were multiple third-party laboratories involved. The monies this patient paid was for dental care the patient has received. I have offered to reimburse the patient to complete a portion of the treatment that we had begun. It has always been my intent and practice to treat all my patients with care, diligence and morality. In this particular case, the patient was well-informed of her treatment options and fees. The patient accepted and received treatment. The patients comprehensive treatment was presented and accepted and payment arrangements for a 50% deposit were commenced. I have incurred significant expenses over six months of treatment. For this patient to request a full refund for treatment which has been rendered is unreasonable. To expect hours of treatment, emergency treatment and several temporary bridges for free is also unreasonable. I would be open to discuss a concession of our fees as well as a reimbursement for the completion of this patient's Invisalign case in another practice. I have made these offers to the patient in the past. I would prefer to work through this upset between myself and the patient and take this conversation off line. I was not afforded this consideration. I would like to come to an amiable agreement. If I can be of any further assistance in this matter please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Frederick S[redacted] DMD
Dear Dispute Resolution Services,As per your request, I would like to respond to these concerns regarding treatment and dental services which were rendered to this patient. This treatment had been rendered with the very best care and intentions. Our practice, Tribeca Smiles has always been committed to the highest levels of patient care and excellence. I love being a cosmetic dentist and I love treating patients. We have amassed over a thousand five star reviews and continuously strive to deliver the finest that dentistry has to offer. I am extremely concerned regarding any patient upset within the practice and will do any reasonable efforts to resolve this issue amicably. When a new patient enters our practice, we perform a comprehensive exam including Xrays and photographs and create a complete treatment plan. This plan is presented discussed and reviewed with the patient. A comprehensive discussion of proposed treatment, fees, and payment arrangements is had with the treatment coordinator. Options for paying up front or in installments are discussed based upon the patient accepting comprehensive treatment. All of This is done prior to commencing treatment. This is our process. This patient had entered our practice on 3/**/16 for a consult. She returned, accepted and commenced treatment. The patient was well-informed of her treatment options and expenses. She received care in our practice for a period of well over six months. She never had an issue with the quality of the care that she received. My treatment notes indicate that on 8/**/16 the patient told me she was distraught with our fees. Prior to accepting care in our practice this patient had consulted in multiple other high quality practices. The patient initially presented in partially completed treatment that somebody else had begun and not finished. We consider our practice to be one of ethics and excellence. This particular case is complex, technical and lengthy. It is a challenging case and an expensive case. This patient was treated on no less than eight separate dates before deciding to cease treatment in our practice. The patient's initial consult fee of $150 was credited back to her ledger. A refund check was issued for $1500 to the patient. Our practice has incurred thousands of dollars in laboratory costs on behalf of this patient. There were multiple third-party laboratories involved. The monies this patient paid was for dental care the patient has received. I have offered to reimburse the patient to complete a portion of the treatment that we had begun. It has always been my intent and practice to treat all my patients with care, diligence and morality. In this particular case, the patient was well-informed of her treatment options and fees. The patient accepted and received treatment. The patients comprehensive treatment was presented and accepted and payment arrangements for a 50% deposit were commenced. I have incurred significant expenses over six months of treatment. For this patient to request a full refund for treatment which has been rendered is unreasonable. To expect hours of treatment, emergency treatment and several temporary bridges for free is also unreasonable. I would be open to discuss a concession of our fees as well as a reimbursement for the completion of this patient's Invisalign case in another practice. I have made these offers to the patient in the past. I would prefer to work through this upset between myself and the patient and take this conversation off line. I was not afforded this consideration. I would like to come to an amiable agreement. If I can be of any further assistance in this matter please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Frederick S[redacted] DMD