UAB Dental clinic (insurance, how much, school)

[creeksitter]

Has anyone here used the services of the UAB dental clinic?

Comments?

[1size2smll]

I used the dental clinic to have my wisdom teeth out. That was back in the early 90's when I was still COBRA'd under my parents insurance and they were employed at UAB. Having some knowledge of how the Dental school operated, my mother set it up so that I would be under the care of one of the professors. (not sure that that was directly related to her having worked there years before or not). The extraction was done well, anesthesia and all. I do not know how they run their clinics, but I would assume that you would be seen by a dentist in training, and then seen by one of the professors during the same visit.

[creeksitter]

Thanks. I'm hoping for someone with more recent experience, I would be going for a root canal and possibly a crown. Also, they won't tell you the price of these procedures until AFTER you've had an exam. Which strikes me, Ms Comparison Shop, as kind of strange.

[harry chickpea]

Just for comparison purposes, if I have to have extensive dental work done, I'll likely drive to Algodones Mexico. Here is a quote from someone I know:
"The dentists are willing to work for 4 hours or more at a sitting and
will shoot you sufficiently full of lidocaine that you're numb the
entire time AND MORE. I had possibly 9 (I didn't count and don't have a
detailed bill yet) crowns and three fillings. Total chair time 16 hours
spread over 6 days. $2700. "

A listing of dentists is here:
Los Algodones, Baja California

Roughly $300 to $400 for a crown is a lot different than $1,000+

[3am green coffee]

Originally Posted by creeksitter

Also, they won't tell you the price of these procedures until AFTER you've had an exam. Which strikes me, Ms Comparison Shop, as kind of strange.

How are they supposed to give you a quote before knowing what you need done? How are they supposed to know what you need done until they perform an exam?

[valentine1110]

I have not used personally but I have referred pt's to the clinic that don't have insurance. They charge $87 up front for those without insurance and the following charges depend on what you need. A tooth extraction can run from $60 to $90 per tooth. This is all I know.

[creeksitter]

Well Baja California is an awful long way from E Tennessee, though I can see with that amount of dental work it would be worth the drive. I don't expect an exact price but it's nice to have a range. The receptionist did hint that it's about half the price of private practice, but private practice ranges from $620 - $1000 around here so what does that mean? Last summer I got a couple of RCs done in west virginia for $475 & 500 but i'd wanted to go there anyway on vacation. I got a crown for $530 from my local dentist because I'm on some sort of "dental Plan", but I'm kinda perturbed because she really ground out my molar to replace a filling and that's what's troubling me now.

Valentine, what's a pt? I may be about ready to just get the tooth yanked as it's near the back and the antibiotic my Dr prescribed isn't working as well as I'd like.

[mamanov]

I have a friend that is using the UAB clinic now. The first day she went they did the x-rays and came up with a plan of care she needed which in her case was to pull all the teeth. She then had to commit to a half a day for each appointment they set up for her the total cost was right $4000.00 that was for all the work she's had all her teeth pulled and dentures. But the money does have to be paid up front. I know somone else who just had one tooth pulled and it was $100.00 and it had to be paid up front.

[rhollis6]

I was looking for some info on the clinic too - they are higher than the office my husband went to. It kills us, our kids are insured but we have been without insurance since 2003-2004 and need work on our teeth just to get us by until I get a job with insurance. I heard UAB was dirt cheap but it doesn't sound like it. Thank to those who have posted what they know, guess we'll just tough it out and maybe one day we will have $445 for a root canal -

[harry chickpea]

Dental diseases are massively bad for the heart. I hate to suggest it, but you might want to consider a simple extraction and a later implant or bridge. If you think dental costs are high, you won't believe how much heart related issues can cost.