Some UAE dentists caught out for grossly over-treating patients

By: Nick Webster | May 12, 2018 | The National

Dubai Health Authority handed out 25 fines for fraud, waste and abuse cases.

 

 

From left, Dr Per Rehnberg, chief executive of Snö Dental Clinics, and dentist Dr Nasser Fouda, say dentists can often view their practice as a business rather than as providing healthcare. Pawan Singh / The National

Expensive and pointless dental treatments offered to patients to boost profits have been exposed in a mystery shopping exercise at practices in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Fifteen clinics were checked by dentists posing as patients to assess how common over-treatment is in the industry.

One patient was offered unnecessary root canal treatment, crowns and fillings at a total cost of Dh26,200, when all that was required was two fillings and a visit to a hygienist.

The case was just one example highlighted by Scandinavian dentists in Abu Dhabi.

Regulators said they were stepping up inspections, and would only recommend providers based on a positive history of care.

 

Dr Per Rehnberg, chief executive of Snö Dental Clinics, who has been working in Sweden, Norway and Denmark before running a dentist practice in Abu Dhabi, was shocked at the high level of treatments being offered to patients, with insurers often picking up the costs.

“Root canal treatment is often suggested and is very common here.” he said.

“After my experience, I sent staff out to several other clinics and they found the same thing.

“There was a lack of documentation. Clinics take x-rays but it is very important for patients to get a proper status so they know what is being included in an exam.”

One clinic suggested a patient had a root canal, 3 crowns fitted and 4 fillings amongst other minor treatments costing Dh26,200.Caries – decaying teeth – were removed by another dentist to avoid the need for fillings, root canal work or crown fittings, at a cost of just Dh3,000.

“It is a competitive business, we know that, but none of the mystery shoppers were given any documents and the majority of clinics recommended over treatment,” Dr Rehnberg said.

“The science has gone so far forward. We know there are many alternatives that are cheaper and less invasive than a root canal.

“We earn less money as dentists, as insurance companies do not always pay for these kind of alternative treatments, but they are usually better for the patient.”

Dentists said nine out of ten patients in pain did not need a root canal treatment, yet the procedure was still offered.

“The Hollywood smile is big business; it looks good but many patients I see for follow up work it is clear it has been done in a hurry,” Dr Rehnberg said.

“Cosmetics are very popular, but many dentists are not describing the pros and cons to patients. “There is always risk.”

Veneers at a cost of between Dh2,000 to Dh4,000 per tooth were commonly prescribed, instead of a cheaper option of bleaching.

To achieve the perfect smile, patients can expect to pay anything from Dh12,000 to Dh40,000 for veneers, whereas bleaching can cost just Dh2,000.

Dentists have said proper record keeping is crucial to maintain a transparent industry.

 

 

Dr Nasser Fouda has been in the UAE since 1996 and said a common trend is dentists viewing their practice as more of a business than providing healthcare.

“Many dentists call people clients, rather than patients and want to make money – they are more like teeth mechanics, and are happy to drill, screw or carry out a root canal,” he said.

“Patients may go in for a simple filling, and end up with a crown – that’s not always the best option.

“Dentistry teams often want to do everything themselves, rather than call in specialists to maximise their profits. This is not always the best option.

 

“It’s preferable to preserve natural teeth for as long as possible, as the structure is much better and artificial products will never be as good as enamel and dentine.”

There are clear rules and regulations for dentistry to follow, and clinics must adhere to a strict operating policy imposed by regulators – either the Dubai Health Authority or Department of Health.

DHA has said its regulators inspected 59 clinics in Dubai in 2017, issuing seven warnings and handing out 25 fines for misdemeanors around fraud, waste and abuse.

“At the Health Funding Department we do not directly regulate provider service pricing at this time,” said Ali Lutfi, Head of Insurance Permit at Health Funding at the DHA.

“However, we do conduct inspections across all medical providers in the Emirate from a financial aspect – including hospitals, medical centers, dental clinics and pharmacies. Our inspections mainly look for fraud, waste and abuse (FWA).

“Part of our licensing requirements for insurance companies and third party administrators is for them to provide us with quarterly FWA reports, highlighting any providers with suspected FWA.

“We select providers to inspect based on these reports and feedback from members via our various complaints channels.”

The Department of Health did not respond to a comment request in time for publication.

 

 

By Nick Webster

May 12, 2018

 

Article Link: https://www.thenational.ae/uae/some-uae-dentists-caught-out-for-grossly-over-treating-patients-1.729646

Everything you need to know about finding a dentist

By: Camille Hogg | December 20, 2017 | Abu Dhabi World Online

From cavities to consultations, we find out about the main dental issues in Abu Dhabi and how to pick a good dentist.

 

Your smile says a lot about you, and that’s especially true when it comes to your teeth.

With cavities and gum disease on the rise, we consult the experts on maintaining good hygiene, dealing with dental emergencies and knowing what to look for in a clinician.

The root of the problem

“The two biggest diseases in dentistry are caries – or cavities – and periodontitis,” explains Dr Per Rehnberg, CEO at Snö Clinics.

Caused by factors including poor oral hygiene and diet, cavities are common in children and adults, and occur when your tooth enamel begins to erode due to acids caused by bacteria.

With a particularly high prevalence of decay in the region among children, Dr Per is keen to emphasise that more awareness is needed of the detrimental effects our sugary habits have on our teeth.

“In this region, the caries in kids are so much worse. Kids drink a lot of juice and soda, and the low pH means that the soda is acidic as well as sugary, so we see a lot of eroded teeth,” says Dr Per.

Dr Heba Aboushady, general dentist at the Boston Dental Center, agrees.

“Adults misunderstand the right diet for the teeth and switch from milk to fruit juices; these are actually very high in sugar and acids,” she emphasises. “We need more education on healthy diets and how to follow basic oral hygiene instructions.”

But with pain, sensitivity to cold and, in severe cases, visible holes as key symptoms of caries in children and adults, the solution isn’t always drilling.

“Small caries can be healed without drilling,” Dr Per clarifies. “If you do flossing and fluoride treatments, we can check in three to six months and you may not need a filling, so [the tooth] will have much better longevity.”

Even with larger cavities, there are still options before you need to undergo a root canal, where the infected pulp from inside the tooth is removed and the tooth sealed.

“The root has a function, so once you replace it with a root filling, it shortens the lifespan of the tooth,” Dr Per explains.

“When [the cavity] is middle-big and gets closer to the nerve, you can still do a filling in that case without a root canal treatment.

“If you have a cavity that is close to the pulp, one way of treating it is to have a special kind of dressing and calming filling on top of that in order to save the root,” he adds.

Periodontitis is another common disease in the region, but unlike cavities, pain is not a common symptom until more advanced stages.

“Many people in this region are under-diagnosed with periodontitis,” says Dr Per. “It’s not usually painful for the first ten to 15 years, but then it’s often too late to save the teeth.

“It generally starts with bleeding gums. Bad breath could also be a factor. When you eat, food gets stuck between your teeth and causes inflammation as it rots; this causes tooth loss. We also associate calculus (plaque that has hardened and cannot be removed by brushing) with the disease, which can be removed at the hygienist.”

One key way to slow the disease down is flossing, and Dr Per recommends a once-a-day regimen.

However, whatever your problem, acting early is key, as regular check-ups can prevent problems from escalating.

Things you should look out for include pain or sensation when you consume something cold, as well as bridges, crowns or problematic wisdom teeth – and any jaw joint issues should be dealt with by your dentist, too.

Dental emergencies

With many of us harbouring a deep fear of the dentist, we often ignore our problems before it becomes an emergency – and that’s not a good idea.

“There’s often a difference in opinion between the dentist and their patient as to what constitutes an emergency,” Dr Heba chuckles wryly.

“When there’s a cosmetic problem, like a tooth has fallen out or a filling has broken, I find that patients come in quite quickly, but with pain or infection, it’s not always the case.

“As a dentist, things like swelling on one side of your face, fever and difficulty swallowing can indicate a life-threatening infection,” Dr Heba states.

“Things like accidents involving knocked-out teeth also need quick intervention, and constant pain might be an abscess or deep cavity. One thing people don’t know too much about is that if you have red patches or ulcers in the mouth, you need to take instant action.”

Dr Per agrees, noting the location of the pain or problem: “Go quickly to the dentist, especially if the infection is in the lower jaw.”

 

Which dentist?

With so many options on the market, it can be hard to know what to look for when picking your dentist.

“That’s the hard thing about being the patient,” agrees Dr Per. “You just don’t know. We have a transitory community here and people don’t tend to get that long bond with their dentist that they might get in their home country.

“One way is to make sure you can audit what the clinic has done,” he adds. “You need to ask to see the documentation, diagnosis, x-rays, printouts and treatment plans so that if needed, you can get a second opinion.”

While many dentists may offer deals for free consultations, Dr Per recommends knowing what you’re getting from the experience.

“It’s very important to have a proper exam,” Dr Per advises. “If you don’t have all the data on the patient’s specific conditions, it’s very hard to suggest the right treatment – it’s like building a house without having a foundation.

 

 

“Many dentists might offer a free exam, but these may not be full exams – a proper one would usually take at least 45 minutes and will detail the status today, risk calculation and a prevention plan.

“Patients also need to be informed about problems that might happen,” Dr Per adds. “Many dentists are reactive; they might only treat symptoms like tooth pain, but a good dentist would look at underlying causes.”

For Dr Heba, communication is a huge factor.

“A good dentist will explain everything to the patient, including treatment options, the procedures involved, the expected outcome and, of course, involve the patient in any decision making,” she says.

“Going to the dentist can be scary – I was that child and I had a bad experience,” she laughs. “These days, it’s very different: there are new techniques, technologies and types of anaesthetic.

“We don’t want you to have more pain; we want you to be rid of it, and a good dentist will explain what they’re doing.”

At the end of the day, make sure you feel confident before you put your money where your mouth is, says Dr Per.

“Establishing trust with your dentist is very important, and if you don’t like the clinic or clinician, then close your mouth and get a second opinion.”

 

 

Word of mouth

Good oral hygiene takes some effort, so here are our experts’ top tips.

Have regular check-ups: Scheduling a check-up depends on your oral health, says Dr Per. If you have ongoing conditions such as periodontitis or you’re at increased risk of cavities, you’ll need them more frequently, but between six months and one year is common in the UAE.

Get a fresh brush: “You need to change your brush every three months – and use a soft one,” Dr Heba says.

Don’t forget to floss: “Use floss or interdental brushes if you have a brace, crowns or bridges. They have tighter contact than air flossers,” Dr Heba says.

Supplement with fluoride: “Water here has no fluoride,” says Dr Heba. “Fluoride application for children can help reverse early signs of decay.”

 

 

By Camille Hogg

December 20, 2017

Article Link: http://www.adwonline.ae/everything-need-know-finding-dentist/

Do not neglect dental hygiene when fasting

By: Samihah Zaman | May 23, 2018 | Gulf News

Common issue like bad breath can be easily prevented with proper care, dentists say

Abu Dhabi: Overindulging in sweets coupled with lack of hydration during Ramadan leaves many residents with bad breath, or worsens dental problems, dentists warned.

“Many people believe that bad breath cannot be avoided while fasting. They also put off dental treatment during Ramadan, but this can make existing tooth cavities bigger,” Dr Nasser Fouda, gum specialist at Sno Dental Clinic in Abu Dhabi, said. “Simple steps like rinsing the mouth frequently and brushing and flossing properly will ensure dental hygiene, even while fasting

According to Dr Fouda, bad breath, or halitosis, is often the result of a dry mouth. The lack of saliva causes bacteria in the mouth to act upon food remnants between the teeth and on the coating of the tongue, releasing unpleasant gases.

“It doesn’t help either that people eat a lot more sugary food and meat, then go to bed without brushing their teeth,” added Dr Sujay Mohan Rai, specialist prosthodontics at NMC Specialty Hospital.

“Dental prostheses like dentures, bridges and retainers should not be ignored, and should be cleaned frequently while fasting, as they too can harbour food particles,” he added.

In addition, it is a good idea to rinse frequently with mouthwash or just water.

“We also advise residents not to put off dental treatment till after Ramadan. Even if you are worried that the treatments will affect the fast, most dental clinics are open till very late to accommodate patients after iftar. So if you were getting treatment for gum disease or cavities before Ramadan, make sure you continue to visit the dentist,” Dr Fouda said.

Dr Rai also cautioned against ignoring dental problems.

“If you are facing bleeding gums or pain, do see a dentist immediately. Not doing so can cause the problem to worsen, and make the eventual treatment lengthy and painful,” he said.

Although awareness about dental health is improving, the doctors added that they still see a significant increase in the number of patients after Ramadan, with many of them requiring major dental work.

 

Dentists say…

■ Rinse frequently while fasting to prevent bad breath.

■ Drink enough water after iftar.

■ Brush as well as floss before going to bed.

■ Use a tongue scraper as bacteria multiplies on the tongue coating.

■ Clean dentures, bridges and retainers through the day.

■ Avoid too much sugary and fatty food.

■ Do not put off dental treatment till after Ramadan.

 

 

Samihah Zaman

May 23, 2018

 

Article link: https://gulfnews.com/guides/life/ramadan/news/do-not-neglect-dental-hygiene-when-fasting-1.2225956

Other Sources.

Gulf Today: http://gulftoday.ae/portal/28efd0a4-b7e5-48d9-ad72-d995ff7e7cf0.aspx