Dentist or Dental Group?

[lostman]

Looking at the list of dentists in our insurance plan and almost all of them are in one of those franchised groups like Castle Dental or Royal Dental. The dentists I see around where we live that have their own office are not in our plan, but all these groups are. These clinics seem, to me, to be the 7-11 of the dental world. Are they? What is the advantage to a franchised dental clinic for the patient in terms of care provided? I want one or two dentists, not one of 10 or 15, whoever is available. Anyone used these groups? Good? Bad?

 

[handcruser]

just an fyi if that is all you have in your plan it is not insurance. I use to sell dental insurance policies for the Texas Dental Association. DO NOT GO TO ONE OF THESE PLACES. If there is anything else you need to know feel free to ask me. Have I been clear enough?

Also, go to a reputable dentist. Only take a recommendation if that person has been seeing them at least 5 years, or their family has been seeing them for years, or whatever.

 

[lostman]

Thanks for the info. Our plan is something like a dental HMO it seems. And these franchise groups just don't make me feel all warm and fuzzy. We have one right now who is in the plan, but he is not close to home and he is a pain in the butt to get an appt with. If I called today for a check up appt, I could not get in till Nov or Dec.

So we were trying to find something more convenient. You pretty much confirmed what I suspected about the groups.