Looking for a specialist...

Hey everyone, I’ve been dealing with some pretty rough health issues lately, and to make matters worse, my doctor is... well, let's just say she's getting up there in age and honestly couldn't care less about what I'm going through. Every time I sit in her office, I get the feeling she isn't even listening to a word I say. It’s actually scary—she once sent my grandfather for the wrong tests, and he ended up suffering a stroke because of it. She just brushes me off constantly, and since I'm only 19, I feel like she takes me even less seriously... Anyway, I've officially decided it's time to find a new doctor. I'm looking for someone in the Washington, D.C. area (I'm living over in Brooklyn) who is actually sane and, more importantly, treats patients like actual human beings. I need someone who will listen, offer some comfort, and genuinely want to help. If any of you know someone or go to someone like that, please, please let me know...

Chloe Fisher5 said:Yeah, I am. 🙂
And honestly, I don't see why it costs that much in Washington, D.C., especially when you look at how questionable the work quality actually is.

Look, 4 grams of high-end composite from a dental supply distributor runs about $300-$117. Plus, you still need bonding agent to set the filling, and the decent stuff costs $5 more than $200. That’s not even counting tool wear and tear, drills, machines, or the disinfectants used after every single patient... let alone electricity and water.

Sure, you can find cheap composites for $23 per 4 grams and bonding agents for $50 per 6 ml, so I guess you could probably get a filling done for $6.75 if you really wanted to.

copperviper102 said:Alright, expert... look, I'm no specialist here... but logically, if you're cutting into meat and bone, shouldn't a surgeon be handling that? But hey, you might be right—I honestly don't know if implantology actually falls under oral surgery...
🙂....

It's not... all you need is to take a course and have the guts to actually do it...
Americans have specialized residencies for this stuff, if I recall correctly... we don't really have that here...

But in dentistry, periodontists perform these surgeries too... including those super delicate, aesthetic procedures. So, you don't necessarily have to be a surgeon to do implants.

stormyheron4 said:Four grams of high-quality composite from a dental supply distributor? They’re charging $300. Are you kidding me? Is that actually what we're doing now? It's absolute madness.$117To get a filling done, you still need to grab a bond. And honestly, the high-quality stuff? It’s gonna run you about five bucks more than the cheap version. Is it worth it? Probably. $200And that’s not even touching on the depreciation of my instruments, drills, or equipment. I haven't even factored in the cost of disinfectants used after every single patient, let alone the electricity or water bills. How am I supposed to make sense of these numbers?

Of course composites exist. $23 So, four grams and a Treasury bond? Really? Is that all we're talking about here? $50 For just 6 ml? Honestly, if you're dealing with stuff like that, there's a real chance the filling could just pop right out. Is that even worth the risk? $6.75

Of course... but does anyone actually care about material quality anymore? From the adhesives to the composites—does any of it even matter?
Even with all the flaws in those high-end adhesives—not to mention they cost an absolute fortune compared to the basic stuff—how on earth can anyone claim these are actually high quality? Seriously?

I'm sure I didn't get any special premium quality just because of an $6.75 extra fee, but I know exactly how long my filling lasted, and I certainly know if I had issues with the tooth afterward.

In layman's terms, I can tell if my tooth still hurts or if there are bigger problems following this supposedly "professional" ☕ procedure, not to mention the final finish on the filling itself—not that I want to get into the weeds.

It’s honestly sad that this forum is used for petty bickering and attacks instead of actually sharing useful information. Gut. Thanks for the explanation, 🙂

So, the bottom line is that for several reasons, I'm unhappy with the dentist I transferred my records to and I want to switch. If anyone has any recommendations, I'd be grateful.

Edward Sanchez72 said:sure...but does it even make sense to talk about material quality...from the adhesive all the way up to the composites?
even with the flaws found in even the most modern adhesives—which are way more expensive by the way—how can these things actually be high quality???

The expensive stuff is definitely higher quality than the cheap junk. Period. The point is that those budget options are outdated, which means they come with way more flaws compared to the newer tech. I highly doubt you could find composites at the same price point if one has 5% polymerization shrinkage and the other only has 2%. Obviously, the 2% version is gonna cost more because it's better. And don't even get me started on color stability, volume retention, or strength... all that drives the price up, but it also jacks up the quality, which ultimately dictates the final cost of the filling.

Don't get me wrong. I'm just trying to show that a higher price tag actually reflects better quality. Sure, those cheaper materials might hold up for years in less critical areas, but when you're dealing with something more demanding, the old-school stuff just can't compete with modern standards.

Edward Sanchez72 said:nobody can stay afloat just by billing for white fillings $6.75 because you have no idea what the actual procurement cost for those materials is.

True, but here is a quick observation—there is a catch. When you look at the patient demographic outside of major cities, like in some rural community health centers, it becomes obvious why most dentists there struggle to even cover their basic costs. $33 Sometimes they aren't even clearing $50. And that’s not even mentioning routine stuff like scaling or fluoride treatments, which in a city would go for $67 easy.
Then there is the brilliant Medicare system where the more you produce, the less profit you actually see 🙄. Consequently, you end up surviving on a handful of "wealthier" patients who can afford higher-end prosthetics. Naturally, you won't be performing every procedure with Gradia and a Treasury bond; depending on the patient, you'll opt for something more budget-friendly—an older generation of adhesive and composite where the kit costs $333 instead of 400. Sure, the cheaper option is weaker, but... you get what you pay for. If you follow standard clinical protocols, the results will still be perfectly fine.
That is my take on it. 🙂

Gerald Smith76 said:True, but let me throw something else out there—there's a trick to it. When you look at patient profiles in rural areas, say at some local community health clinics outside the city, it’s obvious why most dentists there can't even charge for a full filling $33. Sometimes they can't even hit $50. And don't even get me started on basic stuff like scaling or remineralization, which in the city goes for at least $67.
Then there's the genius Medicare system where the more work you actually do, the less money you end up with 🙄. So, you basically survive by catering to a handful of "wealthier" patients who actually have cash for high-end prosthetics... And obviously, you aren't going to use Gradia with G-bond on everyone. Depending on the patient, you'll pick something cheaper—like an older generation adhesive and composite where the kit costs maybe $333 instead of 400. Yeah, the cheaper stuff isn't as strong, but hey... you get what you pay for. If you follow proper protocol, it'll turn out just fine.
Anyway, that's just my two cents. 🙂

I worked out in the sticks, so I totally get what you're saying. People out there are used to free dental care. Especially in those small towns around Miami, most folks are small-time farmers barely scraping by for basic necessities, let alone expensive fillings. What you wrote makes total sense. But honestly, for those people, it doesn't really matter if the filling is Gradia and G-bond or Te-econom. For the ones who want the premium stuff, you just offer them a higher-end composite for an extra fee. After all, every dentist under contract today has the option to take private patients at standard private practice rates

I mean, I feel like we all pretty much get each other here, but the real issue is that there are people who—despite having absolutely no clue what they're talking about—expect dental filling prices in Washington, D.C. to be $6.75...

For crying out loud, it’s like traveling from Washington, D.C. to Milan, Paris, or London and then wandering around the middle of downtown expecting to find a cheap napkin for $17...

Yeah. On top of everything else, I think some of the older generations are still stuck on that old-school socialist mindset where almost everything is supposed to be "free." That might be driving some of these unrealistic expectations.

Gerald Smith76 said:Yeah. On top of all that, I think for some of the older crowd, that old-school socialist mindset where everything is basically "free" still lingers. Could that be why their expectations are so totally unrealistic?

I don't see the issue being the older patients. The problem is the dentists who are staring down retirement and never had any intention of actually investing in themselves to begin with... I mean, sure, there are exceptions, but they're rare.

Greetings...

I’ve been dealing with some health issues for about six or seven weeks now—mostly persistent fevers and blood work that clearly shows inflammation. Of course, nobody in the healthcare system seems to be taking me seriously; they just keep cycling through different prescriptions that don't do a thing (Cephalin, Sumamed, and so on...)

To put it bluntly, I'm fed up. I've decided I'm willing to pay whatever it takes to finally get a proper diagnosis.

Since I’ve never actually used private doctors before, I could really use some advice on where to go. If this keeps up at the current rate, I fear I might actually pass away before anyone bothers to tell me what's actually wrong...

I’d definitely suggest checking out the Drinković private clinic, it's that spot right behind the Upper East Side heading towards the plains...

Plus, you’ve got Sunce. I’ve been there enough times that I’m basically a regular at this point. 😁 Honestly, they’re total pros—zero complaints from my side on how they handle things. Can't speak for anyone else, but Sunce was the one everyone told me to go to...

Alright. So, how does this work? Do I need to make an appointment first? Or maybe get some kind of referral note?

Or can I just show up out of the blue? And roughly how much am I looking at paying... just so I have a ballpark figure in mind...

I was actually looking into that Medikol clinic earlier.

Just give them a call. If you’re in a rush, they can usually squeeze you in the same day... Price just depends on what kind of checkup or lab work you need...

I’m looking to get a full physical done at a private clinic—where can I find the best balance between quality and price? I was eyeing the Sunce clinic... I see their standard checkup runs about $667. Since I'm a bit short on cash right now, is there any way to skip the full package? Can I just grab an EKG and maybe one other specific test instead of the whole works to keep the costs down?

Just give them a call and ask. They'll know more about this than anyone else.

I’ve noticed quite a few people on the forum giving Dr. Željko stolar glowing reviews for her private dental practice. I checked her website, but she doesn't list specific prices for individual services. Usually, when I call a clinic to ask for a quote, the response is always some variation of, "We aren't sure, you'll just have to come in so we can take a look," and then once I actually show up, they talk my ear off and hit me with a massive bill.
Her website lists the following:
INITIAL CONSULTATION
• tooth cleaning using PROPHYflex
• dental and oral cavity exam via intraoral camera
• diagnostics using DIAGNOdent
I was wondering if anyone here has actually visited her? If so, is all three of those components included in that initial consultation fee? Also, if they aren't all bundled together, does anyone know how much the DIAGNOdent diagnostics costs on its own?

Has anyone here ever visited Emil Kušec, the chiropractor over in Washington, D.C.? I stumbled upon his practice online, but since I don't know much about his reputation, I'd be truly grateful if someone could share their experience or offer a recommendation.