Paying a dentist bill
 

Having had toothache for a couple of weeks on Monday I went to a dentist I haven't used before and he decided that a tooth needed extracting. I had an anaesthetic and after a couple of minutes he began removing the tooth. That went okay but throughout the process he was pressing very heavily on my bottom lip pressing it against my bottom row of teeth. After the extraction he said my teeth were covered in plaque and needed a good clean.
I went to the reception to pay and was surprised that I couldn't use my card as they said they only accepted cash. They said I could pay when I returned on Wednesday for teeth cleaning.
Anyway later that day as the anaesthetic began to wear off I became aware that my bottom lip was very sore. Looking in a mirror I saw that there was a row of white and red ulcer type sores along my bottom lip.
Consequently I returned on Tuesday and the dentist said he thought they has been caused by the pressure he had applied during the extraction and I was advised to get some ointment from a pharmacy which I have been applying several times a day since then.
Needless to say I didn't go back for teeth cleaning on Wednesday as my mouth was still very sore and I didn't relish the thought of going to the same dentist.
So, the position is, I haven't paid this bill and am very tempted not to do do which goes against my ethics somewhat, but I'm so annoyed by what happened.
I haven't had a telephone message about paying the bill yet, but my question is what would you do? Pay up and not go there again or take a stand and not pay?
Thanks.

Re: Paying a dentist bill
 

I think I would approach the dentist and state your discontent with what happened and discuss a discount or FOC.

Re: Paying a dentist bill
 

Pay the bill and find another dentist.

Re: Paying a dentist bill
 

Absolutely pay the bill I would say or YOU could be at fault.But PLEASE give us the name of the dentist-- as I need one soon & my usual one has retired!

Re: Paying a dentist bill
 

I did read somewhere that there are many 'dentists' who are not qualified to practice. Apparently this is an area where Spain lacks any real regulation. If he is not qualified I would be very tempted not to pay and consider reporting him (local town hall).

Re: Paying a dentist bill
 

Thanks for the responses. Expect I will reluctantly pay-up despite still suffering from the mouth sores. Will not return to this particular one and sorry I'm reluctant to name and shame him publicly.

Re: Paying a dentist bill
 

Do you go for regular dental check ups. Of not you are just storing bigger bills for the future. Get your teeth cleaned by a dentist of your choice.

Re: Paying a dentist bill
 

No I don't and of course you're correct. It's always, oh I must make an appointment for a checkup, then never do it, until of course toothache starts. So a guilty plea on that one!
WILL be going to another one for a proper checkup, but as I have a couple of these painful ulcer/sores on my bottom lip as a result of the last buffoon I saw I can't see it being until they're gone.
Thanks.

Re: Paying a dentist bill
 

In my experience regular attendees require more treatment. I have only been to a dentist half a dozen times in the last 40 years (last time was in 1998), have all my teeth, only 1 filling (well a rebuild of a chipped tooth) & no problems.

Wish I hadn't said that now, tempting fate!

Re: Paying a dentist bill
 

I still believe a regular checkup is a good thing even though I haven't followed my own advice! One thing though is when I have been for checkups I can't recall any visit where the dentist hasn't found some problems needing attention which of course means more income!

Re: Paying a dentist bill
 

Precisely! Similarly, try escaping an opticians without buying glasses!

Re: Paying a dentist bill
 

IMO tooth removal is a fairly brutal if not down-right medieval process, so while I would hope that a dentist would show as much care as possible, I think that some bruising or abrasion to nearby soft tissues isn't entirely unreasonable when a tooth is being extracted.

Re: Paying a dentist bill
 

The tooth extraction sounds like it was successful apart from some bruising on your lower lip.

As Pulaski says tooth extractions are not always easy and some soft tissue damage could be expected.

Pay the bill, and go to another dentist if you are not 100% happy with this one.

Re: Paying a dentist bill
 

Think the extraction was successful, although now getting more toothache albeit in a slightly different area than before. Great! I've had quite a few extractions over the years and this is the first time I have ever sustained sores and ulcers on my lip! Nearly a week now and they're still there and although seem to be reducing, they are sore and make eating awkward. Brushing my teeth is still somewhat of a nightmare as the handle and the bristles catch the ulcers.
I'm relaying all these woes, not for sympathy but out of anger really that an extraction has led to these subsequent problems. Also, back to the pharmacy this morning for some more gel to apply to the sores. More money!