What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NEW JERSEY
I am a patient at NJ Dental School. Had initial screening July 2008. First consult with a student doctor around November-December 2008. At that time I had Medicaid and it covered my initial screening, diagnostics which included exam, model, radiographs. I was given a quote with fees and procedure codes. A month later they asked me for additional $150. I went to the billing office and was told I don’t owe anything, 0 balance, my Medicaid covered consult and diagnostics.
A faculty doctor suggested a tooth replacement (implants) treatment plan. Did not tell me any important details, suggested cheaper and faster procedure and walked away. I was not sure treatment plan was recommended to me because the school is not capable of handling my case or for other reasons. Asked my student doctor if there’s another option. Was scheduled to see another faculty doctor. That doctor approved and signed what seemed to be a better solution to my problem. After the consult my student doctor went behind my back to talk to the faculty doctor. I heard the faculty dr say if it wasn’t ethical he wouldn’t approve. I wasn’t sure what he meant by that and didn’t ask until much later.
The treatment plan called for a bone graft surgery. In March 2009 I was escorted by my student dr to the oral surgery department when the student dr first spoke to the surgeon student dr, explained everything, and then called me in to meet with the surgeon. Only the surgeon student dr was present during my consult and no faculty. We discussed harvesting my own bone from the chin, repair of donor site, and some general things. I was assured it can be done and won’t be detrimental to me.
In April I had a bone graft surgery. While sitting in the chair in the OR some faculty dr walked in and suggested they use a cadaver graft. Reason – there’s a chance I will have permanent damage to my teeth, jaw, nerves. They did not mind taking my bone which is highly preferred, but it was better to go with cadaveric. I was not informed about it during the consult and had only minutes to make an important decision. My b.p. was high and I was very nervous. That’s not what we had previously discussed. I became scared and agreed to cadaveric graft.
After the surgery I found out the treatment plan the second dr approved is not possible and several doctors at the school and outside confirmed I do not have enough space. I was disabled for 2 months after surgery and took me 4-6 months to recover completely. Mentioned to my student doctor several times drs. suggested the plan is not possible. Student dr told me to stick with the plan because that’s what I wanted. I was hoping student dr would alert faculty because I had no way of contacting them. One faculty dr examined me during a follow up visit and told me a vital piece of information which confirmed the proposed plan is indeed detrimental, and I will have problems.
At that point I filed a complaint with the dental board. At that time I did not know it’s a peer organization, similar to peer review. I could not present all evidence I had which I can present in court and they do not allow patients to request doctors’ response or check what evidence dentists submitted. They do not side with patients. Several faculty doctors replied. From my meeting with the head of one department I learned everything I said they turned against me, they refuse to treat me, will recommend the whole school not to treat me. I was told to go after other faculty doctors and other departments, because this department did not do the surgery. I was also told I had to ask questions if I wanted to know something. It’s not patient’s responsibility to research everything and impossible to ask every detail about procedures. I asked appropriate questions but did not think there would be other issues. I am not a dentist. My treating faculty doctors refuse to treat me.
Orthodontics department placed braces 10 months ago and still have no treatment plan for me and don’t know what to do. My teeth are shifting, temporary appliances they made for me were unusable and broke from day one. Dr can’t explain anything and won’t refund money. I was told I wanted it so I have to pay. Everything I did or said they turned against me.
10 months later I received a letter from the dental board – no further (disciplinary) action is necessary. I won’t be appealing. Was not seeking disciplinary action against dentists.
Total amount I lost including deposits is around $4,500, total visits - 23 so far. I have no teeth, lost bone graft because implants were not placed within the required time frame, have had braces for 10 months without any kind of treatment plan. Departments don’t communicate with each other. I cannot get representation because there’s no permanent damage, disfigurement, and I am not dead, yet, as a result of “treatment”. This has been going on for 2 years, I have no teeth, they ruined me financially and my overall health. I am very dysfunctional because of them. Suffering from severe depression and chronic fatigue, constantly high blood pressure, frequent headaches, other problems.
How can I determine the damages amount and what would be the best court to sue? Do I have to notify the school before filing and how? Which court has jurisdiction to order the school to treat me? Do I need to file where the incident occurred/location of school or in my county? Would it help to see a physician and get some kind of statement saying how my overall health has been affected and what illnesses I suffer because of the events?
TIA
I am a patient at NJ Dental School. Had initial screening July 2008. First consult with a student doctor around November-December 2008. At that time I had Medicaid and it covered my initial screening, diagnostics which included exam, model, radiographs. I was given a quote with fees and procedure codes. A month later they asked me for additional $150. I went to the billing office and was told I don’t owe anything, 0 balance, my Medicaid covered consult and diagnostics.
A faculty doctor suggested a tooth replacement (implants) treatment plan. Did not tell me any important details, suggested cheaper and faster procedure and walked away. I was not sure treatment plan was recommended to me because the school is not capable of handling my case or for other reasons. Asked my student doctor if there’s another option. Was scheduled to see another faculty doctor. That doctor approved and signed what seemed to be a better solution to my problem. After the consult my student doctor went behind my back to talk to the faculty doctor. I heard the faculty dr say if it wasn’t ethical he wouldn’t approve. I wasn’t sure what he meant by that and didn’t ask until much later.
The treatment plan called for a bone graft surgery. In March 2009 I was escorted by my student dr to the oral surgery department when the student dr first spoke to the surgeon student dr, explained everything, and then called me in to meet with the surgeon. Only the surgeon student dr was present during my consult and no faculty. We discussed harvesting my own bone from the chin, repair of donor site, and some general things. I was assured it can be done and won’t be detrimental to me.
In April I had a bone graft surgery. While sitting in the chair in the OR some faculty dr walked in and suggested they use a cadaver graft. Reason – there’s a chance I will have permanent damage to my teeth, jaw, nerves. They did not mind taking my bone which is highly preferred, but it was better to go with cadaveric. I was not informed about it during the consult and had only minutes to make an important decision. My b.p. was high and I was very nervous. That’s not what we had previously discussed. I became scared and agreed to cadaveric graft.
After the surgery I found out the treatment plan the second dr approved is not possible and several doctors at the school and outside confirmed I do not have enough space. I was disabled for 2 months after surgery and took me 4-6 months to recover completely. Mentioned to my student doctor several times drs. suggested the plan is not possible. Student dr told me to stick with the plan because that’s what I wanted. I was hoping student dr would alert faculty because I had no way of contacting them. One faculty dr examined me during a follow up visit and told me a vital piece of information which confirmed the proposed plan is indeed detrimental, and I will have problems.
At that point I filed a complaint with the dental board. At that time I did not know it’s a peer organization, similar to peer review. I could not present all evidence I had which I can present in court and they do not allow patients to request doctors’ response or check what evidence dentists submitted. They do not side with patients. Several faculty doctors replied. From my meeting with the head of one department I learned everything I said they turned against me, they refuse to treat me, will recommend the whole school not to treat me. I was told to go after other faculty doctors and other departments, because this department did not do the surgery. I was also told I had to ask questions if I wanted to know something. It’s not patient’s responsibility to research everything and impossible to ask every detail about procedures. I asked appropriate questions but did not think there would be other issues. I am not a dentist. My treating faculty doctors refuse to treat me.
Orthodontics department placed braces 10 months ago and still have no treatment plan for me and don’t know what to do. My teeth are shifting, temporary appliances they made for me were unusable and broke from day one. Dr can’t explain anything and won’t refund money. I was told I wanted it so I have to pay. Everything I did or said they turned against me.
10 months later I received a letter from the dental board – no further (disciplinary) action is necessary. I won’t be appealing. Was not seeking disciplinary action against dentists.
Total amount I lost including deposits is around $4,500, total visits - 23 so far. I have no teeth, lost bone graft because implants were not placed within the required time frame, have had braces for 10 months without any kind of treatment plan. Departments don’t communicate with each other. I cannot get representation because there’s no permanent damage, disfigurement, and I am not dead, yet, as a result of “treatment”. This has been going on for 2 years, I have no teeth, they ruined me financially and my overall health. I am very dysfunctional because of them. Suffering from severe depression and chronic fatigue, constantly high blood pressure, frequent headaches, other problems.
How can I determine the damages amount and what would be the best court to sue? Do I have to notify the school before filing and how? Which court has jurisdiction to order the school to treat me? Do I need to file where the incident occurred/location of school or in my county? Would it help to see a physician and get some kind of statement saying how my overall health has been affected and what illnesses I suffer because of the events?
TIA