Dentist Dilema

[Anthony246]

Dentist did pre-crown XR, "fine, not infec.", proceded with impressions and after 6 months my new crowns were ready.  Large gaps between gumline and crown, I refused the crowns.  He reimbursed me and my insurance co.  I did take photo of the new crowns while in dentist chair with my cell phone.  Went to a second dentist with the original dentist XR from 6 mo. previous.  He told me there was a raging infec. shown on that XR, and was amazed that the dentist didn't tell me, and was going to procede with new crowns without treating it.  
Do I have any way of reporting this original dentist to his licensing assoc.and also, do I have any legal case that would perhaps reimburse me for the pain endured from the continued infection and the bone loss???  I don't think this dentist should be able to harm anyone else.

[chizzle]

I am going to give you my opinion, but I am not sure you are going to be happy with it.  I work for a dental practice that has 20+ doctors.  Even within our practice, all of the doctor's have different opinions about the work & sometimes the overall tx that should be done for patients.  It all boils down to where they went to school & their own medical opinion.  But that is why we trust them to be our doctors.  

Now, for your specific case, can you report the dentist to the board? Yes. Do you have a legal case? I don't think so.  He already reimbursed you & your insurance company, which is more than he is responsible for.  He could have still charged you for temporary crowns, which from my impression of what you wrote, he did not.  Even from what you are saying here, you didn't go to the new dentist because you were in pain, you went because you were unhappy with the margins.  

I myself thought about pursuing a medical malpractice suit against a previous doctor of mine, but I was told by three separate attorney's that if I didn't have visible scars that jury would be reluctant in ruling in my favor.  

As a patient, you have every right to file a complaint to the board, so take advantage of that.  As for filing a lawsuit? I think it would be time & money POORLY spent.  

[Anthony246]

C'mon Med Help.....is my question taboo because I'm asking for info. to file a complaint against a health care professional??  Or am I supposed to believe that all Dentists and Doctors are honest and reputable???