No other state in the union has implemented such restrictions on dental practice management, or sought such inclusive authority over how dentists manage their business.

Talk about the far-reaching arm of the government!

As reported by Dr. Clifton Cameron in the Fay Observer –

“As a practicing dentist in Fayetteville, I know how this legislation will impact dentistry in North Carolina.

When my partner and I established our practice in 2008, we quickly realized dental school taught us much about clinical care, but little about running a business. And the dental industry, much like the rest of the health care industry, is changing and becoming more complex.

So like many small-business owners, we looked to outside companies to help finance the practice, manage billing, handle payroll, file insurance and execute other administrative tasks. The arrangement helped our dental practice operate so efficiently that we can charge lower rates and accept dental insurance from patients.

Instead of helping foster lower fees for patients and wider insurance acceptance, Senate Bill 655 would require dentists to personally handle all the administrative tasks of their practices.

The bill would forbid dentists from taking advantage of the types of business services that millions of small businesses use. Many dentists like me would be forced to spend less time on patient care and more time on managing the complexities of a modern dental practice.

Senate Bill 655 would give the Dental Board complete control of how dentists in North Carolina run their practices so they can keep fees charged to patients artificially high and insurance acceptance artificially low.”

The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners position on on Management Agreements with dental practices is as follows:

“The Board has become increasingly concerned about the expanding scope and nature of management company services and agreements, and their impact on the control of dental practices by the licensed dentists.

The bundled services offered by management companies typically involve some combination of (1) administrative management services; and (2) financial management services.

Based on its knowledge of the operations of dental practices, and after reviewing management arrangements with dental practices for almost ten (10) years, the Board has identified features of management arrangements which it has determined to be highly likely to create a situation where the ownership, management, supervision or control of a dental practice is impermissibly conveyed to an unlicensed person or organization because either separately or when bundled, those features interfere with the licensed dentists’ professional decision-making and their exercise of clinical skill, judgment and supervision in the dental practice.”

Have you read about this story? What are your thoughts about the government and a State Board of Dental Examiners dictating how you administrate your dental practice?

We look forward to hearing your thoughts on this subject.

For more on this story see: Op-ed: Legislation would restrict dentistry in the state and the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners position at www.ncdentalboard.org (opens in a pdf file).

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We found that general dentists charge an average of $4350 for orthodontia work, while orthodontists charge $5141.

Some orthodontists felt that braces should cost more.

“The average price should be $7500-8500 based on inflation. Unfortunately, managed care practices and #$&!@!! general dentists are screwing up pricing. In turn, this ‘trickle down effect’ will only hurt dentists who should be getting $1800 for a crown!” expressed a Colorado orthodontist.

Location is factor that can influence the cost of braces. California is known for being one of the most expensive states for dental treatments in general, and braces are no different.

Suburban dentists’ braces fees have increased to match their urban counterparts, which is a change in the last two years.

Here a few comments from doctors:

“We do Invisalign at a lower cost but only if it is minor movement with treatment taking only a couple of months.” (Pennsylvania dentist)

“My cases are treated with better and more individualized diagnosis, and finish with better facial aesthetics, better occlusion, a better smile line and better function.” (Illinois orthodontist)

“The cost of braces depends on the type and length of treatment.” (New Jersey orthodontist)

“Well-trained GP’s are fully capable of providing orthodontic services!” (Ohio dentist)

“We only do Invisalign.” (General dentist)

The Journal of Clinical Orthodontics conducted an orthodontic practice study in 2007 on the average cost of braces in the United States. The study found that for comprehensive treatment of orthodontics the costs averaged $5,354 for adults and $4,914 for children.

Has the cost of braces remained flat or increased in your area over the last four years?

For more on this survey see: Braces Cost an Average of $4,350 at General Dentist

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As part of The Wealthy Dentist dialogue on dental practice management and marketing, we offer weekly surveys and invite your participation.

In order to understand different perspectives on the dental industry, we have developed surveys to canvas a diverse group of dental practices on their view of the dental industry, what constitutes current good practice in dental marketing and quality care.

The information collected will be used to prepare articles for The Wealthy Dentist readership.

This survey was closed on June 28, 2011.

The post Dentists: How Much Does Dental Implant Treatment Cost Per Implant? appeared first on Catherine M Hughes Web Content Developer.

The Wealthy Dentist conducted a survey to determine what dentists and orthodontists are charging for Invisalign.

The results from the survey revealed that Invisalign treatment costs an average of $4,622 when provided by a dentist and $6.945 when treated by a specialist.

“We adjust our cost according to how long treatment takes. Times can range from 5 – 18 months (rarely more). We are willing to “deal” on Invisalign because the actual Dr. time is so minimal,” reported a Minnesota dentist.

The cost of Invisalign treatment is on average $500 higher than the cost for regular braces treatment. The dentists who responded to this survey noted that the higher cost reflects the lab fee that they pay for the Invisalign trays.

Here’s a sample of what dentists had to say about the cost of Invisalign treatment:

“I take into consideration material cost of impressions for both initial and refinement, the lab cost and shipping. We charge $5,000 for a full treatment.” (Georgia dentist)

“I have wrestled with the most appropriate fee levels for Invisalign for a long time. We have historically kept the cost of a ‘full’ treatment a bit higher than traditional orthodontia. Although the ‘full’ treatment cost is $5800 — I charge $3200 for express.” (Washington orthodontist)

“Specialists usually get ‘tougher’ cases, so they charge more. We have three fee structures for simple, medium, and complex.” (California dentist)

“My Invisalign rep suggests that I should lower my fees or offer financing that takes a bite out of my profit due to the economy, but I don’t see them lowering their lab fees to me!” (Illinois dentist)

“I hate how high the lab fee is!” (General dentist)

“Invisalign pre-treatment of prosthetic cases greatly reduces the complexity and cost of many restorative challenges. Talk about a revenue enhancer! Invisalign is the best thing this GP has added to the bag of tricks in the last 4 years!” (Florida dentist)

“I am thinking of lowering my fees to compete with the general dentists in the area …” (Oregon orthodontist)

“Clear Choice is much lower in cost to the dentist (and the cost savings can be passed along to the patient). Clear Choice appears to be just as good, if not better than Invisalign. I’m so fed up with Invisalign and our local rep is not very helpful either.” (Ohio prosthodontist)

“Our cost includes whitening and first set of retainers, which we make in house.” (Connecticut dentist)

“There is no free lunch!” (Ohio dentist)

For more on this survey see: Fees for Invisalign Treatment Average $4,622 – $6.945

The post Invisalign Cost: Invisalign Braces Fee Analysis appeared first on Catherine M Hughes Web Content Developer.

As part of The Wealthy Dentist dialogue on dental practice management and marketing, we offer weekly surveys and invite your participation.

In order to understand different perspectives on the dental industry, we have developed surveys to canvas a diverse group of dental practices on their view of the dental industry, what constitutes current good practice in dental marketing and quality care.

The information collected will be used to prepare articles for The Wealthy Dentist readership.

This survey is complete and has been closed.

The post Dentists: What Is The Average Cost of Braces? appeared first on Catherine M Hughes Web Content Developer.

Wisdom Teeth: specialist fees 39% higher than general practitioners.

The Wealthy Dentist conducted a survey asking dentists and specialists what their fee is for removing wisdom teeth.

We found that specialist fees are 39% higher than general practitioners.

Some dentists cited the use of sedation as a reason for the increased cost.

“The fact that sedation is used gives patients the feeling that the higher cost at the oral surgeons is worth it!” pointed out a West Virginia dentist.

But others disagreed. “In my area the GP’s fees are generally higher than the specialists because we take longer to do it,” said one California dentist. Another Colorado dentist said, “Usually our fees are about the same as the oral surgeon.”

In this survey, here’s what dentist respondents revealed:

The average cost at a general practice – $483.00
The average cost at a specialist practice – $791.00

And here are some comments:

“If it’s easy like any old extraction, I use the regular extraction fee and the reg code. There’s no “wisdom teeth extraction” code. $575.00 is as high as I go to include flapping, osseous removal, bone graft (if needed) and sutures, poat op, etc…” (New York dentist)

“Our fee depends on if it’s impacted or not and how is it impacted: soft tissue, partial bony, or full bony.”(California dentist)

“It depends on what kind of third molars. Erupted? Soft tissue, partial or full impaction? It makes a difference on the fee charged. Also, if there is a cyst involved.” (Maryland oral surgeon)

“$239.00 is for erupted 3rds that need surgical extractions and $378.00 for horizontal impactions with unusual complications.” (General dentist)

For more on this survey see: Fees For Wisdom Teeth Removal.

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Fees for different teeth vary only slightly regardless of whether performed by a generalist or a specialist.

At a general practice –

• D3310 – anterior tooth: $745.00
• D3320 – bicuspid tooth: $850.00
• D3330 – molar: $1,013.00

At a specialist practice –

• D3310 – anterior tooth: $1,300.00
• D3320 – bicuspid tooth: $1,195.00
• D3330 – molar: $1,268.00

Root canal therapy costs somewhat more from endodontists than from general dentists, especially on posterior teeth. Of course, an endodontist will perform a difficult root canal, while a general dentist might refer out that endodontic procedure.

Here are some dentist comments about root canals:

• “I don’t do endo in my office any more. With microscopes and all the other technology available in endo offices, I feel my patients are getting a better quality service with the specialist than I can provide.” (General dentist)
• “How about when the root canal needs to be extracted 4 months later and the patient demands a refund and/or free extraction?” (General dentist)
• “Root canals performed by endodontists are a better alternative to tooth extraction.” (Tenessee endodontist)
• “What used to take several long appointments can now be performed in one appointment, but some require more, so it’s better to refer to an endo.” (General dentist)
• “I need to raise my fees.” (Texas dentist)
• “About twenty years ago, the Federal Government prosecuted a small group of dentists who discussed their fees over coffee. The government considered this to be “price fixing” which is against the law. Since then, dentists have been publicly warned not to discuss their fees among themselves or face prosecution.” (California dentist)

Read more: Fees for a Root Canal Average $887 – $1,195 and Root Canals: Who Needs an Endodontist?

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“We discuss lip repositioning which is surgical correction, or Botox,which is a short-term fix. If appropriate, we recommend esthetic crown lengthening or gingivectomy,” said one dentist.

In this survey where The Wealthy Dentist asked if dentists are offering treatment specifically for gummy smile reduction, only 35% don’t offer gummy smile reduction.  Another 11% offer other alternatives.

Of the 54% of dentists who answered yes to offering gummy smile reduction, we also asked their preferred treatment.  Here are some of their comments on treatments:

• “We offer gingivoplasty as treatment.” (Illinois dentist)
• “We give our patients the option of a modified widman flap.” (Misouri dentist)
• “Our preferred treatment utilizes computer imaging and a “gum lift” which is often is followed by longer crowns or veneers.” (New York periodontist)
• “We recommend Botox to drop upper lip.” (General dentist)
• “The treatment involves a gingivectomy and contouring.” (Oklahoma dentist)
• “We offer a soft tissue laser for only soft tissue cases.  If they need bone reduction we send them to a periodontist. ” (Kentucky dentist)
• “We perform laser tissue re-contouring.” (General dentist)
• “Treatment depends on whether it is ‘delayed’ passive or active eruption and the osseous crest level: CEJ. It’s either a gingivectomy or flap with osseous.” (Arizona periodontist)

To read more on this survey see: Dentists provide ‘gummy smile’ treatments for their dental patients

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As part of The Wealthy Dentist dialogue on dental practice management and marketing, we offer weekly surveys and invite your participation.

In order to understand different perspectives on the dental industry, we have developed surveys to canvas a diverse group of dental practices on their view of the dental industry, what constitutes current good practice in dental marketing and quality care.

The information collected will be used to prepare articles for The Wealthy Dentist readership.

The survey should take no more than 90 seconds to complete –

If you’d like to be notified about future dental surveys, please sign up for our weekly newsletter.

The post Root Canal Survey: What Is The Fee for a Standard Root Canal? appeared first on Catherine M Hughes Web Content Developer.

The cost of dentures tends to be a few thousand dollars, which is still a bargain considering how much dental implants cost.

“Whatever you can charge, it’s never enough!” said a Tennessee dentist who is currently charging $3,000 for dentures.

“Most denture cases are fun,” said an Oregon Dentist. “The patients are grateful and not demanding in terms of scheduling, and they don’t complain if they have to wait five minutes. The occasional case from hell just has to be accepted as that – an occasional case from hell.”

The Wealthy Dentist conducted a survey that asked dentists if they offer dentures and what their fees for dentures is.

96% of the dentists surveyed offer dentures, as outlined in the following dental survey video –

One general dentist reported charging as little as $1,000, while a prosthodontist defended his $10,000 fee for dentures.

Managing expectations of denture patients can be a real challenge, especially if they think they are going to pay a few hundred dollars for high quality false teeth.

Please sign up to receive for The Wealthy Dentist newsletter and you can cast your own vote in future dentist surveys.

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