Parents victims of dental fraud? What can be done?

I'm becoming increasingly concerned that my parents are victims of
dental fraud and I would appreciate professional opinions on possible
recourse or what they should do at this point.

Among the many, many fishy things to go on (with their DMO dentist) are
the following:

Price is quoted for say $800. Once the procedure is underway, it's
$1600 ("oh, didn't we tell you that was per tooth!?"). To make
matters worse, this procedure (among many others they have done) could
have been substituted with a covered/free procedure but they weren't
properly presented with these options. I fear, however, that they've
probably signed paperwork that will hide the office's deception.
"I have been presented with alternatives, etc. sign here."

My father has appeared 7 times for scheduled teeth cleanings and keeps
getting inane excuses as to why they can't take him that day and that
he'll have to come back. Unbelievable!

They extracted my dad's tooth and left part of the root in. When
going in to fix it they broke a crown. When my father's there to get
it fixed they hand him the bill to fix the crown. Shouldn't they be
paying for their own mistakes?

They did one-half a deep cleaning on my dad and when he went to finish
the other half he clarified with the dentist that it was already paid
for. Once assured of this he agreed and surprise, surprise he got a
bill for the second half after he's in the chair ready to go so, of
course, he signs and pays.

The problem I see is that throughout all of this they have paid before
even leaving the dentist's office. How can they possibly have any
recourse if they continue to pay?! I plead with them to switch
dentists but since my dad is in the middle of a procedure they're
sticking with this one. With this last visit my dad finally asked for
his medical records and was refused. I'm finally left thinking I'd
better try to do something on their behalf since this can't go on.
(They've actually had to take out a loan for what has amounted to
over $5000 in dental bills). They feel confident that by complaining
they'll get their money back but so much of this isn't documented
but just "they said/I said", so do they really have a shot? Also,
does it water down their case when they keep going to this dentist?
Their "plan" has a fraud department but will that help get their
money refunded once it's already been paid? I have begged them to
not get anything done without getting it in writing but my dad assures
me he knows what he's doing and he'll take them to small claims
court. I just have that sinking feeling they won't have a leg to
stand on after the fact (and retirement is looking farther and farther
away with each procedure - my parents' not the dentist's!).

Please help!!! What can I/they do? They don't want to make the
dentist angry since they have to keep seeing her right now but I say
they need to start talking lawsuit or complaints to professional
associations. By the way this is in California.

Thanks for any help. I'm feeling pretty desperate right now for help
from someone who knows what's what.

.

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