My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: Georgia
• I visit Dentist in 18th of March for exam and diagnosis, after quick exam, said that the root canal of tooth#13 which was treated few years ago leaked and need to be redo again, he said tooth looks good and it’s better to kept rather than extraction. I told them clearly that I don't have any kind of insurance and I need to know details of costs before do anything, they gave me an estimate price for Root canal therapy - bicuspid $1174 / “Crown buildup, includes any pins” $311, they encouraged me apply for credit care card in order to cover the expenses,
I trust them, signed the paper and paid the full amount $1485 in advance.
• He spent less than 45 minutes on his work and said we're done! But pain did not relief; on the contrary, pain began to increase day after day, so I went back to him after a week to check what the matter is?
• He said maybe you grinding when you sleep, or maybe there is crack on the tooth couldn't see in the x-ray…He doubt that the reason is because friction with the opposite tooth, and decide to cut part of the crown in order not contacts between them and to make sure the reason not from it. He gave "Ibuprofen" to relief pains and back within one week for evaluation.
• After back home I surprised that he cut the whole crown and make crown surface exactly FLAT “ I believe he thought if pain continue, tooth will be extracted…so nothing to loss”
• So, I asked him when I returned at the ends of March to evaluate the state of the tooth, if he will remain tooth like this or what he will do, because it’s too low now and useless, he said don't worry will be repair and matched with bottom tooth soon as be recovering, they set a new appointment in the 13th of April on basis to evaluated and fix the crown as he promises
• After my tooth relief returned in 13th of April to evaluate and to fix my crown as he promises, he did not discussing, mentioned anything about any kind of additional charges, or show any kinds of paper...Soon as he finished a temporary crown install, I surprised that front desk asked me to pay $1267 as additional to my first payment!
• After I complained and refused to pay surprised & unauthorized bill, they called the manager and the doctor as well, he's denied that there’s crown before and said tooth in need a new crown from the beginning and suppose you know that, I told him if that truth why you didn’t included in the estimate from the first time or mentioned something about it? Why you charged me in the first bill $311 for crown Buildup and what that's mean?? Also I asked them to show me X-rays before and after his work for comparison between, but they denied!
• In that point manager agreed there is mistake was happen and said however mistake is, we have problem need to be fix, she offered to reduce bill by half of the amount not avoided as its doctor mistake… She threatening me if not paid now they will call police, I told her I prefer to call police rather than pay something didn't approved or authorized and doctor promised to repair with no extra charges …Then she changed her language and said you're free to go but will not fix a permanent crown unless you pay this bill and repeat what she said that they will sue me and send bill to collections and credits bureau!
• The temporary crown supposed to be stable for two weeks, did not hold for more than 4 days and suddenly fell after 4 days when I was eating lunch, this is further evidence on the quality of service they are provide!
• I tried to solve problem friendly by offering pay $300 and fix the crown, despite its not them right and I did not authorized this bill, but they insist to receive $515 “Balance which is remain in my credit card” in term to fix a permanent crown and they threatening escalated to the court if not paid $515 by Apr. 20th noon!
• As I understand, in order there is addition charges to the estimate plan, should be for "unexpected medical issues" …and Dr. have to discussed with patient and get approval before do anything!
• My questions are: Is a doctor responsible to repair damaged caused by his work? Am I responsible to pay unauthorized bill which is didn't signed or know anything about it? Now my tooth without crown and hurting too much when eating, who is responsible to fix and what shall i do?
With my sincere thanks and appreciation,

