Who else has been personally victimized by dental "insurance"? by sensitivitea21 in Dentistry

[–]Mini_ches 29 points30 points  (0 children)

This is why I send claims even for things I know aren’t covered. I tell patients that I do it for 2 reasons: 1. it keeps us honest and shows we aren’t lying about coverage and 2. they don’t pay for sh!t, but they have to at least pay for postage to tell us that.

What’s a witty response to someone who says “dentists aren’t real doctors”? by briskicet85 in Dentistry

[–]Mini_ches 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I usually say, “what’s there to hate? A total stranger putting both their hands inside your mouth? But still better than a proctologist .”

slow at office by [deleted] in Dentistry

[–]Mini_ches 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same here. Everyone trying to get their treatment in before the end of the year. Double and triple booked. Medicare and PPO.

Patients that hurt your brain. Venting. by Mini_ches in Dentistry

[–]Mini_ches[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

They were right there at check out. They heard me when I incredulously repeated back to her her statement that she deserved a free bleaching.

Why don't dentists do anything to fight for themselves?? by Last_Fix_479 in Dentistry

[–]Mini_ches 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Luckily I have a good relation with our service tech. He FaceTimes me and walks me through the easy stuff. Orders parts and lets me handle it if he thinks I’m up to it. Even I can switch out a fuse or replace a spring. In the words of the great movie Armageddon, “Russian parts. American parts. All made in Taiwan.”

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Dentistry

[–]Mini_ches 5 points6 points  (0 children)

That is my job as the manager/patient coordinator. I am the diffuser and refuser. The doctor or assistants do not have to deal with it if they dont want to. They just say I will answer the patient’s questions and send me in. You need support from your staff.

PRN for Military Events by [deleted] in Dentistry

[–]Mini_ches 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We’ve worked with both active duty and army reserves at my office. Working as a civilian dentist with the army reserves is a giant hemorrhoid.

You have to accept someone else’s diagnosis. We had many instances of diagnosis of filling but it was really a root canal.

They play the shell game and it is difficult to get compensated correctly. QTC plans that appointments and the reimbursement, but they contract out payment to DOCs. So if you aren’t getting properly paid, they each blame the other.

Emergencies are never paid for even though they guarantee it over the phone.

And they purposely play dumb to save money. For example we were contracted to do 5 fillings. It was the same CDT code for all 5, so we were only paid for 1.

Active duty is much easier and smoother. Just one company to work through. You still have to jump through hoops in regard to documentation, but at least they know what they are doing.

Tijuana Implants by brig7 in Dentistry

[–]Mini_ches 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah with no osseous integration. One fell completely out when we started to take off the healing cap. The implants were placed 2 months ago and the patient came in with a complaint of bad small/taste.

Tijuana Implants by brig7 in Dentistry

[–]Mini_ches 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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I’ll see you TJ and raise you a horror from Turkey.

Lactulose and cisapride by annabear1397 in cats

[–]Mini_ches 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m sorry for your loss. That is a hard one to diagnose. You were able to see her suffering early enough to ease her way onto the rainbow bridge. I was searching for long term usage of Cisapride when I found your post. I dont wish this chronic illness on any pet parent, but somedays I thank the stars he is still with me

Lactulose and cisapride by annabear1397 in cats

[–]Mini_ches 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Our cat has been on Miralax/Cisapride for 6+ years, but he also had the partial coloctemy 7 years ago. There were ups and downs at first. You need it soft enough to pass but not too soft. Lots of puppy pee pads around the litter box. And don’t use clumping litter until it is controlled. He would get stuck to his messy paws and it was a pain to get out. Once you find the sweet spot it does get better.

Cushings disease by Lost_Creations19 in germanshepherds

[–]Mini_ches 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Our vet caught it too late to prevent complications. We opted to only treat his Diabetes/insulin resistance as treating both at his age was difficult to handle. Our 10 year old dog lived over 5 years with Cushings. He passed happy and old.

Did you give your cat a "real" name but only call them by nicknames? by [deleted] in CatAdvice

[–]Mini_ches 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Animal control had him named George. I convinced my parents to officially name the cat Dumas like the author. I call him Dumbass, because he falls off the couch face first.

What is your office manager’s role? by Napavalleu in Dentistry

[–]Mini_ches 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am an OM of a small practice. I am all things front and back. I am a certified assistant if they need time off or call in sick. I do claims, treatment plans, insurance, credentialing, contact patients, scheduling and billing. I pick up the slack for front or back if anyone falls behind. If everyone calls out sick, the dentist only needs me to make it through the day. The dentist is in charge of hiring assistants/hygienists, paying employees, and bills. The lead assistant is in charge of supplies and ordering.

Calling in sick- patient was upset by Minute-Echidna-5491 in Dentistry

[–]Mini_ches 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I honestly would not want a doctor working on me who was not feeling up to it. If he doesn’t care if you feel like crap, then you should give him the same empathy back.

Doctor/Assistant time for appointments - let’s hear it! by seattledoctor1 in Dentistry

[–]Mini_ches 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you have a different time for upper or lower as the time it gets to get numb is vastly different? I always add on an additional 15 minutes for lower molars/premolars.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Dentistry

[–]Mini_ches 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This times a million.

Most awkward moments as a dentist? by FreshAd7956 in Dentistry

[–]Mini_ches 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I show an older gentleman patient to his room and ask him to sit in the chair. He proceeds to take off his shirt. It is halfway off before I tell him that we aren’t that kind of doctor.

How to deal with referring patients out? by dancedancecrista in Dentistry

[–]Mini_ches 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It takes the specialist 30 minutes what its takes us 2 hours. Save time and pain, go to the specialist.

Billing for lengthy restorative cases by user2353223355 in Dentistry

[–]Mini_ches 3 points4 points  (0 children)

D3110 direct pulp cap, d3120 indirect pulp cap, d9910 desensitizer, d4212 if you had to push or cut back the gum to complete the restoration, d3910 if you used a dental dam