Thoughts On First Orthodontic Consult

First off, I was annoyed with myself that I wasn't better prepared going in. I only went to this place because they were local, and it was hard for me to get any recommendations. I was told over the phone that my consultation would be €60. But when I arrived, I saw a sign that said €80 per consult, and €20 for X-rays.

The consult ended up only being about 5 minutes long. Although I didn't feel dis-encouraged to ask any questions, the mere fact that I sensed I'd be out of there in no time was enough to distract me. I knew when I was leaving that there had to be some questions I'd forgot to ask... like what cost to expect, and the time of the entire process, and whether or not the process would take longer for someone of 26.

I was then told "we'll take the x-rays now", while for some reason, still under the impression it was all included in the €60. I said "oh so we're not finished yet?" to which she replied "no, not yet". This, and the fact she didn't say goodbye as I was leaving the room, gave me the impression that I'd get to see her again before I left. I thought surely it can't be that fast.

What got me suspicious was that they didn't give me a lead apron during the x rays. As the dental nurse was about the leave the room, I asked "and do I need any protection?" to which I knew the answer would "oh no, you're okay". Silly me asking a question as if she'd be likely to reply saying "oh wait, I never thought of that". Little things like this don't make me feel reassured that I'm in good hands. She probably presumed I didn't know what I was talking about when I asked that anyway.

Then at the end they were about to charge me the €100. I said that I was told €60 on two prior occasions, and they seemed to agree rather quickly. But then I hear the dental nurse tell the receptionist, "charge him €40 next day." I thought "oh great €40 sounds cheap" But later when I was going home, the thought occurred to me that €60 + €40 = €100. Since I forgot to ask about the costs, I emailed them asking to provide the costs, to which they replied "if you'd like to book an appointment, the orthodontist can discuss what treatment you would like and the costings associated with it."

All in all, with two women present, I didn't feel like I could discuss my teeth the way I wanted to, without sounding like a self absorbed narcissist. I ground a good deal of tooth away over the year. So I'm not sure if there's a way to get my teeth to be more prominent. If I got them capped, it might build up the height of them. Most men probably aren't conscious about their teeth, let alone how their effect their facial profile. I will have a dental appointment soon, and I will ask him about who he'd recommend.

If anyone has any advice in general, or whether you think I should cut my loses with this crowd or not?

Thank you

 

Here your xrays and file do belong to you and you can request them from that office. Then you could see someone else for a consultation without possibly having to repeat the xrays.

If you are feeling this way to start it is probably better to switch now before you start actual treatments.

 

Sounds to me like you're getting screwed.

60 was the price before the visit, then it got jacked up to 100. Classic bait and switch.

If you got x-rays without protection, either they are incompetent, or they took fake x-rays.

 

So I took the opportunity to go for a check up local dentist in the meantime... hoping to kill two birds with the one stone. She had wrote to him about my teeth (as discussed with her). I tried to diplomatically ask if she was good, to which he adamantly said "oh she is good". Not really what I wanted to hear, but then again, I couldn't imagine him saying a bad word about her - considering they probably both know each other (because she's based in the same town). I suppose I should have really asked him who he'd have recommended before seeing any orthodontist.

 

You should be able to get copies of the xrays and go get 2nd or 3rd opinion. They seem very unprofessional, not sure I would want to deal with them.

 

It seems to me the consultation should be free. Did you ask?

edit to say:
I don't think you have received the consultation yet. They needed the xray's to do that and they have not spoken to you since.

Make sure to write out all your concerns and take them with you to the consultation. They should provide more than one option for you and you should be able to say what your goal is regarding your concerns.

Eons ago I worked for an orthodontic group and they quoted one price to achieve the patient's goals. It was paid over time or in full regardless of how many visits the patient needed. I am sure things may have changed but you should know up front what you are getting into.