Re: Making a tough decision

From: Jean Staffen (jstaffen_at_austin.rr.com)
Date: 07/28/04 

Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2004 11:43:08 GMT

I have the full set of x-rays, including the x-ray of the broken tooth taken
after the extraction and showing the broken tooth. The fact of the broken
tooth is not the question. The question is this: Is it malpractice to
leave the tooth in there and should I have been charged full price? The
second dentist said it was NOT unusual to break off a tooth during an
extraction. He didn't say whether it was common practice to leave the tooth
in there. Who do you suggest I write the letter to? To the dentist who
broke the tooth or to the licensing agency?

"Joel M. Eichen, D.D.S." <joeleichen@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:io1fg0hl3hlbi49q8t3vq1u9mlmihsp180@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 28 Jul 2004 02:49:06 GMT, W_B <no_one@nowhere.net> wrote:
>
> >On Wed, 28 Jul 2004 02:01:13 GMT, "Jean Staffen"
> ><jstaffen@austin.rr.com> wrote:
> >
> >>I am in Austin, Texas - my state capitol - and the State Board was the
first
> >>place I called. I asked to speak with a dentist because I wanted to ask
> >>him/her if leaving parts of a broken tooth inside a cavity was par for
the
> >>course. The gal who answered the phone said, "Do you think we have a
> >>dentist sitting around here waiting for you to call and ask a question?"
> >>That's when I made an appointment with a dentist and paid him to tell me
if
> >>I'd gotten the treatment I paid for at the first dentist.
> >>
> >>This has been a nightmare all around.
> >
> >
> >While it may be impossible to tell if bone grafting and
> >alveoloplasty was performed, if residual root tips were
> >left these would show on X-ray.
> >
> >You can still file a complaint with the State Board
> >but I doubt that any action would be taken.
> >I could be wrong of course.
>
> STEP ONE: Outline your grievance in a letter, return receipt
> requested.
>
> STEP TWO: Send it.
>
> STEP THREE: If ignored, threaten legal action.
>
>
>

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