What do I do if my dentist told me I had dental problems that did not exists?
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What do I do if my dentist told me I had dental problems that did not exists?
Approximately 5 months ago I went in for an exam with a dentist. In the exam he told me I had 6 cavities, gingivitis, and a chipped tooth. He wanted me to schedule right away to get the cavities filled, and to have a deep cleaning done. Because of something unrelated I schedule an appointment at the new dentist to have an exam so I could get all of these procedures done. When I went in he told me I had no dental issues and absolutely no cavities. My husband had work done at the old dentist and I am beginning to wonder if the work he had done was necessary. Who should I report this too? What can I really do?
Asked on July 29, 2011 Washington
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Oh my goodness. Did the dentist charge your insurance company for the procedures and did you have to pay a co-pay? Or did you pay out of pocket for the work? If the dentist charged your insurance company then they have committed insurance fraud. If they have just taken your money then they have committed fraud as well and a form of theft for which they need to be prosecuted. I might start by contacting the Department of Health in your state, which is the governmental agency that licenses dentists in Washington. Then I might contact your state attorney general's office. And a local lawyer. You need to get this guy before he continues to defraud other unsuspecting patients. Good luck.
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Oh my goodness. Did the dentist charge your insurance company for the procedures and did you have to pay a co-pay? Or did you pay out of pocket for the work? If the dentist charged your insurance company then they have committed insurance fraud. If they have just taken your money then they have committed fraud as well and a form of theft for which they need to be prosecuted. I might start by contacting the Department of Health in your state, which is the governmental agency that licenses dentists in Washington. Then I might contact your state attorney general's office. And a local lawyer. You need to get this guy before he continues to defraud other unsuspecting patients. Good luck.
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