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Author Topic: RW dental needs - Costs in US?  (Read 19584 times)
Burt
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« on: November 16, 2002, 05:00:00 AM »
In three trips to FSU I've met many RW with full sets of ceramic crowns, most with an unattractive yellowish color.  (I don't mean the solid gold or steel caps.)  I'm sure this is a desirable improvement for them, but I wonder if the foundation underneath was well constructed.  I have no way of knowing if the work is good.  

So my questions are  --  Is Russian dental work actually of a better quality than I suspect, and long-lasting?  Do some RW need extensive dental restoration after they arrive in the US?

Also, is this a selection factor that deserves some consideration?  (Last year a poster mentioned paying $50K to correct & repair his new wife's poor dentistry.  Whoa!)

No kids will be involved in my case, but your experience on kids' dental  situations is invited.      
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SteveM
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« Reply #1 on: November 18, 2002, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to RW dental needs -  Costs in US? , posted by Burt on Nov 16, 2002

Before you conclude that getting decent dental work in Russia is not an option, it would be worth asking your prospective fiancee to ask around.  We are able to get really good work done for my mother in law at substantially less than it would run here, even with a good dental plan.

Same thing applies to doctors and vaccinations--the private market there contains some good providers, and the cost will be much less than waiting to do it in the USA.  My wife and son arrived with most everything that could be done already taken care of.  Had to complete only the last shots of the Hepatitis series (there they can get the vaccine and do the injections themselves if so inclined) and my son's MMR (they don't usually do mumps there).

For those with kids, the medical process here may be somewhat stressful at first.  Better if you can minimize the amount of time you spend dealing with doctors, dentists, and health insurance in your first few months together, IMHO.

Lastly, one thing we overlooked in our preparations was the vast difference in what medicines are available without a prescription.  It will save a lot of stress if she can pack a decent supply of the remedies she is used to having available at home.

Hope this helps...
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Jski
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« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2002, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to RW dental needs -  Costs in US? , posted by Burt on Nov 16, 2002

Hmmm, It looks like I will have to switch dental plans in May.  We have 3 choices at my work.

Traditional:  Go anywhere, anytime.  Cleaning / check-up paid 80%, Cavities 80%, Crowns / bridges / Major 60% all you pay, they pay after receipt.  Braces 50% $2000 lifetime.

Preffered: Go to network dentist. Cleaning - Checkup free (twice a year), Cavities Free, 2 full x-rays yearly, Major work (Crowns, etc...) 60%.  Braces 60% $2000 lifetime.
Outside network coverage is the same as traditional.

Prepaid:  Network dentist.  Cleaning, checkup, xrays, crown, bridges, dentures, cavities all Free (no deductable).  Braces 50%, $2000 lifetime.  Non-network dentist.  Nothing paid except emergency out of area.

Guess I'll be going with the prepaid just in case :-)  Thanks for another heads up guys.  Great board!
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robobond
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« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2002, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to Re: Time to switch dental plans, posted by Jski on Nov 17, 2002

Jski,

Clue me in (I have questions).

- Is "$2,000 lifetime" applicable only to braces?  or does it apply to all situations collectively?
- If it is all situations collectively, is there a cap on individual situations?
- If it is applicable to braces only, are there yearly or lifetime caps on the other stuff?
- What are your costs for the three different options ("traditional, preferred, prepaid")?
- Also, are there separate individual and family limits?

Bob
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Jski
Guest
« Reply #4 on: November 17, 2002, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to Re: Re: Time to switch dental plans, posted by robobond on Nov 17, 2002

Bob,

$2000 is braces only
No other caps or limits
The costs to me are nothing, company paid fully.  The prepaid and preffered are both Delta based plans, the other is company self insured.

John
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robobond
Guest
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2002, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to Re: Re: Re: Time to switch dental plans, posted by Jski on Nov 17, 2002

John,
Sounds like a damn good plan to me - I've gotta get something better than I have - that's why I'm asking.
Thanks for the info.
Bob
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davet
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« Reply #6 on: November 17, 2002, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to RW dental needs -  Costs in US? , posted by Burt on Nov 16, 2002

This is an interesting topic as my wife had her first dental exam on Thursday.  Seems a couple of crowns (among the many she has) are not exactly right and need work (replacement).  The two crown/bridges (3 and 5 teeth involved) replacement is going to be about $5000 here in a small town in Oregon.  My wife had the crowns installed by a "pay" dentist in Russia.  She knew the regular dental service would not be very good in terms of workmanship and materials.  The pay dentist ($50 per crown) was highly thought of.  
Now, according the the local US dentist, the workmanship and materials by this pay dentist are not up to US standards for her crowns.
Of course the question I would ask is whether these "substandard" crowns and bridges are going to last for 6 months, 6 years or 60 years?  A Ford might be "substandard" to a Mercedes but it will still get you where you want to go.

The second thought my wife has is to go back to Russia (which she was planning anyway to visit family and friends) and get the work done/repaired there at 10% of the cost that it would be here.  But the question I'm concerned with is that poor quality work at any cost is not a true savings.
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Oscar
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« Reply #7 on: November 17, 2002, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to RW dental needs -  Costs in US? , posted by Burt on Nov 16, 2002

Burt, if you were interested in perhaps finding an American Dentist to do any work there, you might try contacting the American Dental Association about finding one in the city where your girl is, or at least in the capital.  
If she is in Ukraine, you could also try a couple of the places where women have to get their medical exams done by American doctors.  I have listed a couple below.  I am sure they could direct you to some American Denists there-

Poliklinika Neftepererobativayuschey Promishlenosti Ukraine
Spusk Protasov Yar, 9
252110 Kiev, Ukraine
380 44 2774181
2448941

American Medical Center
Berdichevskaya str, 1
252116 Kiev, Ukraine
38044 2116555, 2116371, 2119411
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Dan
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« Reply #8 on: November 17, 2002, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to Re: RW dental needs -  Costs in US? , posted by Oscar on Nov 17, 2002

Neither of them employs American citizens on their medical staffs - and the several doctors that I've met (from AMC) were not trained in America either. In point of fact, the only conection I could discern to America at the AMC was their connection with many of the ex-pat companies insurance departments. Notably, their prices for services were just as high as those paid here in America.

Yes *maybe* the ADA could be of some help. It would be interesting to see.

- Dan
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Oscar
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« Reply #9 on: November 17, 2002, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to RW dental needs -  Costs in US? , posted by Burt on Nov 16, 2002

When I was last in Kiev, I met an American dentist who worked for an American company there.  He told me that he would definitely recommend that a woman go to an American dentist THERE as the price would be much less than in the USA..  I hadn't found my girl at that time so I didn't need him.  My girl is in Dnepro and has very nice teeth but that doesn't mean there cannot still be problems. Unfortunately, his company transferred him to Saudi Arabia!  If he were still in Kiev, I would have probably had her stop in to have him take a look.
I am sure there are other American dentists there, I just haven't been too worried about it..  If I were worried, I would be trying to find an American dentist there..

FWIW
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robobond
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« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2002, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to Re: RW dental needs -  Costs in US? , posted by Oscar on Nov 17, 2002

Oscar,

No offense, but I do not find this idea even remotely practical.  I am assuming that we are not talking about just a simple filling here - if we are it's not worth the effort because fillings are relatively inexpensive.  If extensive work is to be done (i.e., extractions, caps, bridges, root canals, periodontal work, follow up appointments (many of which involve seeing a specialist), etc.) then we are also talking many, many, many appointments spread out over a fairly long period of time.  Seems that flying her over multiple times would eat up the unknown savings.  

This also goes against one of your 'Golden Rules' in that you're spending serious $'s before you've even brought her over here on a fiance visa.  

Last, and perhaps not least, sometimes you get what you pay for and cost should not be the sole deciding factor - which it is in this case.  Here I am questioning (1) the expertise/quality of a dentist that works and lives in a less than affluent foreign country on a corporation's payroll vs. being part of a more lucrative private practice here in the US. I don't think you will find the best dentists going this route... (2) the availability of the latest medical supplies, equipment, and ongoing education for a dentist practicing in a FSU country.  

I think you might be sending newbies on a wild goose chase by even suggesting this lameo idea.

And that's my rant.

Bob
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Oscar
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« Reply #11 on: November 17, 2002, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to Re: Re: RW dental needs -  Costs in US? , posted by robobond on Nov 17, 2002

You know Bob, a fine post with reasonable concerns except for your last very unecessary comment-
"I think you might be sending newbies on a wild goose chase by even suggesting this lameo idea."  Was that really necessary Bob??

I will adress your concerns-  The American dentist I spent some time with in Kiev was working for an American company, I don't remember which one, it was 2 trips ago.  He told me all about the local dental care there etc..  He said he did VERY extensive work, ie crowns, bridges, caps, root canals etc., and had the very latest technology.  He was doing things with lazers etc, that my dentist HERE sure doesn't have!  It was he who told me that it would be much less costly sending a woman to him there than getting the same work done in the states and that he had done dental work for more than a few guys fiances.  
Regarding quality-  Many of these companies want only the BEST medical and dental care for their people and really pay extremely well.  He was being asked to go to Saudi Arabia and he was embarrassed to tell me how much they were willing to pay him, so I think you may be somewhat misinformed in this area.

I don't know where you got the idea that I was suggesting flying a woman back there once she is in the states, just to get dental work done!  I never would suggest something like that so again, you obviously misunderstood.

Regarding the "golden rule", again you have managed to misunderstand.  I have always said never send money to a woman you have never MET in person before!  I have given my fiance money for her medical exams and for getting to Warsaw for her interview and have posted about it.

Hope this helps.  I can assure you, if I were concerned about my girls teeth, I would be looking for a good American dentist like him over there..
And next time, you might try it without the rudeness..  

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robobond
Guest
« Reply #12 on: November 17, 2002, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to Re: Re: Re: RW dental needs -  Costs in ..., posted by Oscar on Nov 17, 2002

Oscar, re:

[You know Bob, a fine post with reasonable concerns except for your last very unecessary comment-
"I think you might be sending newbies on a wild goose chase by even suggesting this lameo idea." Was that really necessary Bob??]

[...so I think you may be somewhat misinformed in this area.]

[I never would suggest something like that so again, you obviously misunderstood.]

[...again you have managed to misunderstand]

[And next time, you might try it without the rudeness..]
___________________

Chill out, Dude.  I did not mean for my post to be confrontational, abrasive or attacking you, and I don't think it was rude.  Blunt, yes.  Rude, no.  Misunderstanding is a two-way street but it's certainly not a hanging offense.  I think you misunderstood me.  So what? S___ happens.

I happen to not agree with you. I still think this is not remotely practical and a lameo idea.  I don't think that's rude - it's my blunt opinion.  Now, if you take that as a personal attack on your self worth then your burning up a lot of mental energy for nothing.  

I'll comment on the points you raised but that'll be about enough for me.  I'm not trying to start an endless debate here.  It's OK to agree to disagree on a subject.

(1) You post seemed to me to be concurring with the good dentist's comment "I definitely recommend that a woman go to an American dentist THERE as the price would be much less than in the USA."  That's a pretty bold statement w/o facts to back it.  I'm not buying into the concept that based on a conversation you once had with a dentist, this idea becomes practical or even doable.  I'm am not challenging the accuracy of your account but it's 3rd party heresay.  Unless I hear some first hand experiences from ANYONE to contrary I will still have the same opinion.  I am not 'misinformed in this area' - I've yet to be 'informed'.

(2) The other two are tied in together.  I did not say that you were suggesting flying a woman back there once she is in the states but I DO think I miscommunicated by omitting or not elaborating MY thoughts on the matter.  MY thoughts revolved around flying her back there.  Personally, I concur with the general precautionary thinking re: sending $'s to the RW.  I also think that the fiance visa routine should not be taken so literally as to imply that a wedding is a done deal.  Patrick recently had a post re: this & I agree with him.  I view it as a trial period whereby the RW can experience 1st hand what it's going to be like living in this country with you (because you can't figure it all out by visiting her in the FSU).  So by sending big $'s for medical expenses B4 she actually gets here has an obvious financial exposure with or w/o a scam being involved.  I have yet to resolve in my mind how I would handle this issue. I did not misunderstand you - I failed to explain my entire thought process.

You accuse me of being rude and grossly misunderstanding my ass from my elbow.  I can accuse you of being overly combative and having a chip the size of Ethiopia on your shoulder - doesn't get us anywhere, does it?  I watched the last few chapters as you and Dan got in a quagmire which gradually made less and less sense to outside observers - I won't go there with you - capish? - so take me off your enemies list - I'm not here for that.  

Like I said, "Chill out, Dude."

Bob
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Oscar
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« Reply #13 on: November 17, 2002, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: RW dental needs -  Costs..., posted by robobond on Nov 17, 2002

You know Bob, you can accept or reject any of what I said about the whole dentist thing, I really don't much care.  
I also met this dentists girl (from Siberia) and he showed and discussed with me the extensive work he had done on her teeth.  I didn't have "one" conversation with him, but many, as we double dated quite a bit for dinners and to go dancing etc..  We also went for dinner alone a couple of times.  
I don't know what YOU would need to be convinced that not all American Dentists or Doctors are idiots, but his work and our conversations, were plenty good enough for me.  So I will just say that to dismiss this idea, which could end up saving a guy a lot of money, to me would be a "lameo" thing to do..  ;-)
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robobond
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« Reply #14 on: November 17, 2002, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: RW dental needs -  C..., posted by Oscar on Nov 17, 2002

Oscar, Re:

["I also met this dentists girl (from Siberia) and he showed and discussed with me the extensive work he had done on her teeth. I didn't have "one" conversation with him, but many, as we double dated quite a bit for dinners and to go dancing etc.. We also went for dinner alone a couple of times."]

  I'm not a mind-reader nor do I expect you to be.

["I don't know what YOU would need to be convinced that not all American Dentists or Doctors are idiots"]

  I give up, where did this come from?

Oscar, do something here that you didn't do w/ Dan - just give it a rest.  I just don't agree with you - this doesn't make either of us a lesser person, OK?

Bob
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