My dentist sued me in small claims court- isn't that nice

[madison2000]

On my last visit to the dentist in July I reminded both the dentist and the assistant that I was close to the limit of my insurance and did not want to go over the limit because I could not afford it. They both told me that I would be fine.

But the amount not covered by my dental insurance after that visit turned out to be over $600. I was laid off from my job in August and did not find work again until January. The dentist threatened to sue me as early as October.

I had no means of paying this debt off without a job - when I wrote to ask if I could set up payment arrangements after finding a job they ignored me. So now I have a judgment against me and have to provide financial disclosure. I am still catching up on a ton of bills.

And I guess I need to find another dentist.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. were you not given notice of the court appearance?

If not, you can file a motion to set aside the judgement...go to the clerk's office at the court and they will guide you

[madison2000]

3. I went to the clerks office last week and no one from their side was there

I'm not contesting it so they granted the judgment. All I wanted was a payment plan.

[skygazer]

2. That really sucks

I hate these places that would rather sue you than arrange for payments. Makes no sense to me. I had some medical bills from an incident when my daughter had to have emergency surgery - this happened one week before my husband's insurance kicked in. I owed the hospital something like $3000 so I called them and tried to set up payment arrangements - they said they HAD to have payment in full in one year's time. I told them i could not pay that much per month but I could give them less and pay longer. They said no so I told them, "well, it sounds like you're going to get nothing then" which is exactly what they got. They eventually wrote it off. :wtf:

[madison2000]

4. I just couldn't believe they filed suit so quickly

and weren't willing to work with me. If they'd been willing to work with me they would have kept me as a patient they would still be making money from my business.

Its just funny to think of Bush protecting all the practicioners from being sued by their patients...

[Jamastiene]

5. We can't sue them now

but they can sue us though. Bush's America is truly a scary place. I don't know how much more I can stand of this kind of hideous system.

[madison2000]

7. And of course the total went up by over $100 because of the legal stuff

The dentist who treated me left to start her own practice so she doesn't know about this. She wasn't allowed to tell her patients where. But maybe she had figured out that her boss at that practice was an asshole.

[coffeenap]

6. Your dentist is a selfish ass--my DH is a dentist and he is NOT

a selfish ass and would have done whatever it takes for you--as he does for whoever needs it (as long as we can still pay for internet access!;)

[Skittles]

8. a good tip when you have a ton of bills you cannot pay

try to pay a nominal amount on all of them - even if it's just 5 bucks. It shows good faith and kicks out a computer notation of contact with the company

[MADem]

10. That is good advice! n/t

[MADem]

9. Wow, makes ya want to picket the guy's office

...with a HUGE sign, saying "Patients, BE WARNED!!! Ask what Dentist Scumbag did to ME!!!!" Then hand out flyers stating your case to all of his customers...!

I'm all for "payment made for value received" but you warned the dentist, he ignored you, and he, based on what you have told me, should work with you and await the money, since it was HIS mistake. Damn, I guess we all DO need videographers to follow us around and record the details of our lives.

It's a you said, he said situation, but you'd think the court would have been a bit nicer. I sure wouldn't patronize a guy like that--that is just NOT good business practice.

[DainBramaged]

11. My ex-dentist did the same thing, scumbag

$880. And he never finished the work either. Wound up having the tooth he worked on extracted 2 years later. They are scum. They lead you on till the insurance runs out and hold you hostage for the work they need to do.

[coffeenap]

12. Hey, my husband is really nice.

[Az]

13. Hehe, I got that beat in spades

My former dentist is currently in jail. Seems he drugged one of his patients and kidnapped her, had sex with her in the dental chair, filmed it, and held her captive for a week or so.

[crispini]

14. WOW!

Ok, that *does* sound kinda sexy though. Except for the kidnapping part. And the captive for a week part. okay, I just think sex in a dental chair sounds fun. of the CONSENSUAL kind. :evilgrin:

[dsc]

15. sheesh

I have heard of dentists molesting patients and having sex with them but keeping them for a week that is a new one.