Looking for honest dentist in Prescott area (Prescott Valley: insurance, home)

[crad]

Hi all,

I'm moving to Prescott in the near future and will need to find a new dentist, I'd appreciate any suggestions. In addition to providing quality care I'm looking for 2 qualities in the dentist:

1) Honesty. I've had the misfortune of being a patient to a dentist who I came to realize was more interested in peddling his wares and lining his pocket than putting my needs first. I need a dentist who I can trust when they recommend treatments that the treatments are really needed and are cost effective options, and who can put my proper care ahead of their wallet.

2) Offers discounts for up front payment in full. I don't expect to have dental insurance when I move and plan to pay as I go, I'd like to find a dentist who offers discounts to patients that can pay in full before service is rendered thereby bypassing the entire insurance processing.

Thanks!

[BriansPerspective]

We have been happy with Dr. Larson in Prescott Valley. He doesn't try to upsell you on anything. I don't think he gives discounts. We pay in full at each visit.

[crad]

Thanks Brian.

[hellzbellz]

We've been going to Dr. Dalton in PV for many years. He does what's necessary, nothing more. He does offer a senior discount and possibly one for cash.

[crad]

Thanks Bellz!

[Colt AZ]

It's unfortunate that certain "dentists" are turning into a disturbing breed of reprobates... somewhat akin to those who sell used cars. They insist you "invest" in something you seriously don't need.

[fluffythewondercat]

Originally Posted by Colt Cassidy

It's unfortunate that certain "dentists" are turning into a disturbing breed of reprobates... somewhat akin to those who sell used cars. They insist you "invest" in something you seriously don't need.

I don't know the dentists mentioned in this thread. We're still shopping for a new Arizona place to call home and Prescott looks pretty good.

But I can tell you what happened at our dentist this morning.

My husband has what they call a "stay" plate, a temporary denture that is turning out to be semi-permanent. He decided to have a new one made that will incorporate another tooth he is about to lose. The dentist brought us the estimate: $1900-some-bucks. Insurance would cover about $1200 of that. Pricey, yes, but we said okay.

So they gave him an itemized sheet of treatment charges to sign. He was reading it when the business manager came over and said, "I'm sorry. I made a mistake on this estimate. Please wait out in the lobby and I'll fix it."

The revised estimate was $600-some-bucks. Again, insurance would cover most of it. Quite a difference!

My point is that we had no way of knowing the estimate was wrong. Who knows what are reasonable charges?

[BriansPerspective]

Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat

My point is that we had no way of knowing the estimate was wrong. Who knows what are reasonable charges?

This is partly why medical care is so expensive. There is little incentive and little avenue for consumers to shop around. Since insurance covers most care, consumers have no reason to find the lowest price or at least the best value. They simply accept what the doctor says and the insurer pays whatever the doctor charges (or the negotiated rate).

Since we personally pay for our own medical care up to $5500/yr, we have shopped around. An MRI at YRMC, as recommended by our doctor, would have cost $1500. Instead, the MRI at Prescott Medical Imaging cost $700. If consumers shopped around for value, medical costs would fall dramatically.

One good thing for AZ is that a law was just passed to allow a patient to obtain any test from a licensed clinical lab without a doctor's order (if the lab offers tests to the public). This will allow consumers to order simple tests without having to pay to see a doctor to order the test and then pay to see a doctor to review the test.

[crad]

Agreed, better medical cost transparency would allow consumers to more easily "shop" for the best value and help to bring down healthcare costs, but it still remains a monumental effort in my experience to "pre-shop" for elective procedures. Medical cost transparency is getting better but still has a long way to go.

Thanks again for the pointers to some recommended dentists, personal recommendations are still my preferred source!

[vmann7]

Forget dentists here, go to Los Algodones. Its about a four hour drive but the savings are spectacular. I received 3K in dental work for $700. The dentists at the practice I used were great and the facilities were as good as anything here in the US if not better. Do a little research on your own and you'll see its a very popular destination. As an added bonus I got a pair of $800 varilux transitions glasses for $240.