An unfortunate experience
To the editor:
I am an 85-year-old woman who lives in Presque Isle. Last summer, my number eight upper front tooth broke in half. Because I have been on a blood thinner since undergoing open-heart surgery in 1995, I assumed that I should see an oral surgeon.
I made an appointment with the oral surgeon last Nov. 14. I paid him a non-refundable fee of $195 for the initial consultation, plus $63.50 — a down payment on the $1,000 I was being charged for the extraction. During the visit, I was told to go to a local dental lab to have the replacement tooth and partial plate made. I did this on Nov. 22, 2011. I paid the dental lab $665.
Shortly thereafter, I called the oral surgeon’s office to let them know that my partial plate was ready. I was informed that the oral surgeon first wanted to consult a medical doctor about possible complications that might arise due to my heart condition and my use of the blood thinner.
Three months later, in February of this year, after not having heard a word from the oral surgeon’s office, I called back to see when he would perform the procedure. I was told that he had been unable to meet with my heart doctor. Another delay. Still, I waited to be scheduled for the extraction. I was still waiting on May 26, when an envelope from the oral surgeon’s office arrived in the mail. Inside was a check for $63.50 — my initial deposit for the $1,000 extraction. The envelope contained no letter, no note; nothing but the check.
It’s now the middle of June. I have heard nothing further from the oral surgeon’s office. My broken tooth hasn’t been removed and the $665 partial plate that I’ve already paid for is worthless to me as long as the broken tooth is in place.
Is this any way for a local professional and his office staff to treat an elderly widow? Can someone please help me?
Ethel M. Devine
Presque Isle
