How do you tell your dentist's office you're not going to be their patie!


Question: How do you tell your dentist you've decided to try another dentist because you're not quite satisfied with the treatment they've provided in the past?


Answers: How do you tell your dentist you've decided to try another dentist because you're not quite satisfied with the treatment they've provided in the past?

The reality is that they are not entitled to have you give them an explanation. You can if "you" wish, but you needn't feel obligated...even if they ask. It's your mouth and your business. Now, your entitled to a "copy" of all your dental records and Xrays and that may require a small fee. They may tell you they need to "mail" the information to who ever your going to next, that's a ploy to find out who you plan on seeing and they might want to call that dentist before you see him or her. They are not entitled to know where your going. If they give you a hard time, give them, in writing by certified mail with a return receipt, 24 hours to produce copies of all your records and if not ready when you arrive to pick them up, your next stop will be at your attorneys office followed by a complaint filed with the State Dental Board.

You don't have to tell them...just speak with the new dentist and have them transfer records, you'll never need to talk with the old dentist again!

If you are not comforatable explaining the issues in person, write a letter directly to the dentist.

Detail the experiences you had that you were not satisfied with, if you mentioned the problem at the time and if it was resolved. Keep in mind that if you have never mentioned any problems with services in the past this will be a surprise to them. They may ask you to give them another chance to provide you with good service. If this is the first time you are bringing it up, they may deserve that chance.

Bottom line, they work for you. You can pick and choose where your money and/or insurance goes.

You have no obligation what so ever to tell you dentist anything. It's there job to keep you happy not the other way around. when you decide on a new dentist have your dental records transferred. The new office can handle this...they do it all the time. Don't allow yourself to be intimidated by a dentist or a doctor. If you don't feel comfortable for whatever reason...take your business down the street! ?

I have switched dentists four times in the last four years, so I know where you're at. In my case, the first time I switched b/c of a switch in insurance, the new insurance plan didn't cover my old dentist. Well, the new guy sucked and I had a lot of work to be done, so I switched to a dentist in the town I was going to college in. After college, I moved somewhere new and had to switch again.

Back to you... You have gotten some good advice here. You can switch for any reason and are not entitled to tell them why. But I think it would be awkward to tell them you're switching with no reason why. You could use moving or insurance or just a new option closer to your home as "half truths." I do NOT think it would be a good idea to chew them out for their problems for three reasons. One, the new guy might be worse and you'd want to switch back. Also, if you have an emergency and the new guy is unavailable, you might prefer to go back to your old dentist rather than someone completely unfamiliar. Plus, if you have a filling or crown that breaks on you in an unreasonable amount of time, your old dentist should repair the work without charge. This can save you money, but obviously you won't want to go back there if they're mad at you.

Now, you're other option is to start seeing another dentist and just stop making appointments with the old place. However, one thing you HAVE to do is transfer your records to the new dentist. This requires that you sign a release of your medical information. They can mail it to your new dentist for you or just give it to you. It seems like most dentists will charge a small fee for a release of records, usually around $25.

If it were me, I would tell them you're switching dentists because of insurance (a common and understandable situation), then I would have them transfer your records to the new dentist.

We get calls on occasion to have copies of patients records transferred to another office. We don't as why, but some will say it's for insurance purposes (we're out of network), better hours to accommodate their schedule, etc... and it's no biggie.

We copy and send the treatment record and xrays to the dental office directly after receiving the signed release from the patient. No charge. We like to keep a 'trail' of where the patients go to. The only reason is 'just in case' anything 'happens' to the patient and we're asked for recent copies (of xrays, for example). We can inform the requester that the patient left us in (month) and is currently being seen by Dr. X.

I would write them a pleasant letter and state that you are switching dentists. Also, include the address of the new dentist so that they can send them your records.

if you tell them anything..just say you are moving. they prob. dont really care.





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