Can my dentist charge me a cancellation fee?
Asked by
suse (
283
)
November 16th, 2008
I paid substantial amount for a dental implant two weeks ago and the appointment is in five days time. I am going to cancel this appointment because I have found a dentist that has more expertise in this field and am more confident with him. I will be giving the first dentist 4 days notice of the cancellation of the appointment. Will he return all my payment or hold some back for cancellation? I have already paid for the cat scan ($600) – will he give the cat scan to me to give to the new dentist?
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
10 Answers
Depends on the agreement that you signed with regards to the refund. You could say you have changed your mind about the implant. Your medical records are yours, and you are entitled to pick them up from the office. Four days is plenty of cancellation time, but I would do it first thing on Monday morning and not wait. You will not get your money back right away, because bookkeeping will have to transfer funds. You should see it in two weeks or so.
I’ve never heard of needing a catscan for any dental work. Your doctor should refund you the full amount because you are giving more than 24 hours notice unless stated other wise as policy.
You do need a catscan or MRI for dental implants because you have to have enough bone density to support the post they are going to hammer into your jaw.
dental MRIs are only $200 here, btw. Coworker just had an implant, and we were talking about it because I need a second one
How about you ask your dentist?
Sure, with 4 days notice seems like a reasonable amount of time to get a full refund, but your dentist’s office is the only one who can answer this question with any degree of accuracy.
With respect to your medical records, you have the right to access them and you have the right to have them transferred to your preferred dentist/surgeon. However, your current dentist/surgeon will require you to fill out something along the lines of a “request/authorization for release of medical records” to allow them to transfer the records. Your current dentist also is allowed a “reasonable amount of time” to transfer the records, which may be 2 weeks or so.
RE the medical records.
Depending on the laws in your state, you have a right to a copy of them….and for a reasonable copying fee. This is in regard to both the written records and any films (X rays, MRI, etc.) The information is “yours” but you do not have ownership of the actual records. Those are the doctor’s.
I never heard of a penalty with anything more than 24 hours notice. And if you have a problem getting the CAT scan report from the dentist (and you shouldn’t), get it from the facility where the scan was taken, or tell the NEW dentist you’re having a problem (and he’ll get it).
what is the point of speculating ? Just go and ask your dentist.
You should be able to get both the films and the report from the CT scan, after all you have paid for the service.
If you paid a deposit towards the implants you may not get that back if your current dentist has had to order in specific materials in for the procedure ie the implant itself.
Agree with Lightly, if you made the down-payment your dentist will most likely have ordered your implant already. Dunno how this will affect cancellation, he’d certainly charge you for the implant.
If they’re a decent practice they shouldn’t take issue in sending the implant to another provider though.
Answer this question 
This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.
Composing members:
0
