Ethical Question

[BlackThought]

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So...

- you're a dentist
- you hear that another dentist in your area is overcharging/cheating patients on costs
- you have proof and its not just a rumor

What do you do?

 

[Wakaaa]

Continue with your own business? You're doing right and they're doing wrong.

 

[dchoi]

You take all of his/her patients?

 

[rkhalil6]

My answer for such ethical questions in which you have concrete proof is to "take action/show responsibility". So in this case, if you have concrete proof, maybe take it to the board (ADA or whatever it is), pass your concerns/explain the situation.

If no one takes action or relay what's happening to the board, the cheating will last longer or won't be stopped simply because they are not aware of it.

 

[LaughingGas]

Mind my own business. It's patients' task to "shop" for the service and select quality of dental work, price range, that they can afford or that they want to choose. If they ask for my opinion on that overcharging/cheaping office I would share but I would not take active action towards it.

 

[chill45]

Overcharging just seems like such an opinionated word. Not sure what "cheating your customers" would consist of, but if someone is willing to pay that much then maybe the higher cost is justified by better quality from the patient's opinion. You get what you pay for and in dentistry it is no different.

 

[Jbrowndds]

Saying someone is overcharging is more of an opinion. I would presume that you can set your own prices in your practice.

 

[little Buddy]

raise your prices to compete because you are too low if such dentist is booking patients while "over charging".

 

[RaeRae0903]

I agree with the other posters about "overcharging" being an opinion. The great thing about being a dentist in America - you can set your own prices! Whether or not someone is willing to pay that price is another story. I hear now and again from patients in my office that "his prices are so much higher than others." But you know what? He can finish a root canal, have a permanent cerec crown on your tooth and have you out the door in 1.5-2 hours. How's that for fast and friendly service? Isn't saving you time and the use of the best technology worth the extra cost? But hey - if you're willing to miss 2-3 days of work to come in for multiple appointment for the same end result and a cheaper price across the street, then so be it. Time is money...

Now, all that being said...if there's more going on than just jacked up prices, such as insurance fraud or inconsistent charges (not everyone is being charge the same for the same procedure, etc.) then THAT is a different story. THAT should be brought to the board's attention or it will never stop.

 

[Wakaaa]

I agree with the other posters about "overcharging" being an opinion. The great thing about being a dentist in America - you can set your own prices! Whether or not someone is willing to pay that price is another story. I hear now and again from patients in my office that "his prices are so much higher than others." But you know what? He can finish a root canal, have a permanent cerec crown on your tooth and have you out the door in 1.5-2 hours. How's that for fast and friendly service? Isn't saving you time and the use of the best technology worth the extra cost? But hey - if you're willing to miss 2-3 days of work to come in for multiple appointment for the same end result and a cheaper price across the street, then so be it. Time is money...

Now, all that being said...if there's more going on than just jacked up prices, such as insurance fraud or inconsistent charges (not everyone is being charge the same for the same procedure, etc.) then THAT is a different story. THAT should be brought to the board's attention or it will never stop.

Personally, I don't care what technology my dentist has. I don't even know if her tools are or aren't up to date. It gets the job done, she's fast, friendly, and cheap. Those things are valued by patients.

 

[PaulS]

you have to report that immediately. Patients are being harmed financially by being cheated and its unethical for you to just sit around and let this happen.

 

[vinnie83]

So...

- you're a dentist
- you hear that another dentist in your area is overcharging/cheating patients on costs
- you have proof and its not just a rumor

What do you do?

A more detailed scenario would make a more involved discussion possible. Overcharging is not possible unless you're dealing with some type of insurance that has fixed costs. What exactly do you mean by cheating?

The ADA code of ethics actually has a lot of scenarios explained as well as guidelines and rules for what dentist are/are not allowed to do as well as what they are required to do.

 

[toastybread]

I believe the right thing to do is confront the dentist privately and discreetly to give him/her the opportunity to explain their actions (you should never make assumptions or snap judgements) and change the way they run their practice. If they make no effort to change, then report them to the ADA.

 

[RaeRae0903]

Personally, I don't care what technology my dentist has. I don't even know if her tools are or aren't up to date. It gets the job done, she's fast, friendly, and cheap. Those things are valued by patients.

Yep and that's your personal opinion. Luckily you have the right to choose. Our patients can go right across the street if they like...but they stay for their own personal reasons. And btw our prices are still lower than most dentists the next town over.

 

[goffdent]

Settle it with a duel at high noon.

 

[Amberena]

Settle it with a duel at high noon.

Definitely this!