A person on Medicaid and disability said one dentist told them they needed only a few fillings covered by insurance, but a second office later recommended about $12,000 in dental work after a visit about wisdom tooth removal.
Here’s what to know
Because Medicaid options were limited in their area, the original poster said on Reddit that they used the only nearby dentist they knew of who accepted that insurance. At that visit, they were told they needed just a few fillings, and insurance would cover them.
They later went to another dental office because they needed their wisdom teeth removed. The OP said staff there recommended four crowns, gingivitis treatment and “some kind of special paste to reverse some early cavities.” The total came to about $12,000.
“I’m at a total loss of what to do. I’m on disability; I couldn’t afford that if I tried. I’m freaking out now because I’m worried if I don’t do the full treatment I’ll have serious problems later,” the OP said.
The chain came up in the comments when someone asked whether the second office was Aspen Dental, and the OP replied, “It was Aspen Dental.”
Another Reddit user said their wife had previously overseen dental hygiene for Aspen in Arizona, California and New Mexico, adding, “Their whole thing was pushing as much as they could to get every dollar out of you.”
More background
When someone is already worried about pain or tooth loss, a large treatment plan can be hard to question, even if it may not be urgent.
Several Reddit users estimated that chain dental offices’ claims were inflated or overly aggressive. While those anecdotes do not independently prove wrongdoing, they do show how differently treatment plans can be presented from one office to another.
A hefty quote for extensive but necessary dental work can push people into debt, lead them to delay necessary care, or scare them away from the dentist altogether.
For lower-income patients, that can mean avoidable pain and even more serious health problems down the line.
What can be done?
Much of the advice focused on having the Medicaid-accepting dentist handle the covered work, while treating the extra recommendations as optional unless they became painful or a different provider agreed they were needed.
Some people also suggested checking whether a wisdom tooth extraction might qualify as medically necessary, since that could change what insurance will pay for.
People also suggested asking for recommendations in a neighborhood Facebook group or calling 211.
A Reddit user also cautioned the OP not to hand over a credit card number to the office.
Where can I learn more?
• Dentists may soon offer single-visit permanent restoration with 3D-printed zirconia crowns.
• Scientists say a natural cavity-fighting compound could end up in toothpaste and mouthwash.
• Experts warn oral health will worsen as hotter weather spreads, though AI may help.
• Scientists are warning that traditional orthodontic treatments may expose patients to hidden plastic risks.
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