Complaint Review: Dr Murthy - Dr. Shantha Murthy DDS

When I first became a patient I couldn't have been more happy. We had a great relationship and I still agree that Dr. Murthy is a very warm person. But, I began to grow frustrated when after my very first root canal the first crown had to be replaced twice within the first six months. And once more after that (within 6 months!)
The next one however was a worse nightmare. Even from the very beginning. Below is an email I sent Dr Murthy a year ago outlining to him my issue over it:
In a message dated 3/14/2008 4:22:42 A.M. Central Daylight Time, XXXXXXXXXX.org writes:

Hello Dr. Murthy,

I really hate to bring this kind of subject up again however I feel I have no choice. Let me just go over the events again so you can see my side of this.

The last procedure I had with your office was a root canal (Dr. XXXXXXXXs office) and a new crown. I initially was going to have the root canal done in your office but since I the tooth was really abscessed/ inflammation was such/ pain could not be reduced through anesthesia you and agreed that I should attempt to reduce the inflammation with anti-biotics and then have the root canal part of the procedure done by Dr. XXXXXXXXX. You prescribed a five day pack of anti-biotics and then made me an appointment with Dr. XXXXXXXXX.

It was almost a month until the appointment with Dr. XXXXXXXXXXX and even though the inflammation was reduced by the anti-biotics you prescribed as the appointment with Dr. XXXXXXXXXX was a day or to away the inflammation was bad again. I say this because of the diagnoses I finally received and the pain I was experiencing. I called your office and was informed that you were not there. I asked that you be contacted and advised of the inflammation. The message I received initially was to wait until I saw Dr. XXXXXXXXXX. I then called Dr. XXXXXXXX's office and was referred back to your office. When I called the second time the young lady I spoke with was very adamant that you did not think I needed any treatment until I saw Dr. XXXXXXXXXX. Also that you were out of the office that week.

The day before I saw Dr. XXXXXXXXXXX the pain was so bad I called my regular MD's office (Dr. XXXXXXXX in Canton). I left word with the nurse what my problem was. Long story short I ended up going to the Graham hospital ER. I was diagnosed as "abscessed tooth and given another five day dosage of anti-biotics. The next day I saw Dr. XXXXXXXXX and the root canal was completed.

The issue I have is this. I just received an $ 427 bill from Graham hospital for the ER visit. My insurance will not cover any of it saying it was dental. The hospital will not re-code it saying it would be illegal. The dental insurance also will not pay anything on this hospital bill. I paid Dr. XXXXXXXXXX $325. Out of pocket now I am supposed to pay you $ 500. Had things gone normally this would certainly be acceptable, but the extra $427 makes it a very expensive procedure in total. I feel that if you had prescribed additional anti-biotics, or had me see someone else in your office or whatever dentist do when they are away, I would not have this additional bill.

I remember my frustration at the time I was in pain and couldn't get help. Well I got over that and put it behind me but now it looms again. Now I am going through financial stress and I feel that your not being willing to treat my inflammation is what sent me to the hospital ER in the first place. I do not know how else to handle this so I am just telling it to you as I see it.

Please let me know what your position is about this,

XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX

After I had that crown put in, it needs repair a year later. I cannot go back though. This guy ignores my emails and my describing the situation to his employees. He just keeps sending me this $ 500 plus bill. I honestly believe that the inability to put a crown in my mouth that last could just be a fluke. Of the four crowns I had to pay for three. But this situation is clearly one that he has the ability to "fix" by doing the right thing.

He or his office cost me $ 427 and extra pain by refusing to take any action (he supposedly was out of town and couldn't be reached). I think the right thing is to either offer to pay me back for the hospital bill or deduct it from what he says I owe him. But since he will not listen to me I have no choice but to take my argument to the court of public opinion.

Jim ****
Canton, Illinois
U.S.A.