Gentlecaredentistry.org

I have always been self-paying for dental work. In the Fall of 2019 I decided to join the AARP dental plan run by Delta Dental. I actually needed an old and broken bridge replaced, but a new customer needed to be in the Delta Dental plan for one year for bridges for any type of cost adjustment. My regular dentist retired. So, I really needed the broken bridge replaced. I looked around for a new dentist, read the reviews, and even talked to several patients, before I selected Gentle Care Dentistry, Las Cruces, New Mexico. A 30+ year operation. Dr. Anton Milavec checked my problem and I asked 'how much.' We agreed on the price and he did the work. Dr. Milavec knew I was a new Delta Dental customer and did not qualify for the one year discount adjustment. I paid the bill before I left the office. When the secretary handed me my receipt, she slipped another sheet with the inflated prices on it and said, "You need to sign this so we can file it and see if Delta Dental will pay anything on it." She also knew that I did not qualify for any adjustment. I signed the signature gadget figuring that's their business and I had paid the agreed price. About three weeks later I was back for a checkup. The secretary asked if I was going to take care of the balance? What balance? Delta Dental had returned a new form and told Gentle Dental they did not charge me enough for my new 3D bridge. Delta Dental said I needed to pay an additional $1,100.00. Totally confused I paid the money. Then I thought about it. Wait! Delta Dental, an insurance company, is telling dentists what to charge? I wrote the dentist, Dr. Milavec, a letter so there would be a record. Of course, he called me. In the conversation he admitted they have a contract with Delta Dental for the prices. He did not want to return my money, but offered half back. He said that's the way we do with patients. Well, to avoid finding a lawyer I took the deal and got a check for a half returned. The bridge is good work, but the scam and failure to return my money earns the one star.