Walthour Denise M DMD

I called the office of Walthour Denise M DMD earlier today to see if they were accepting new patients (they are) and to get a rough estimate on a couple root canals and crowns. I am absolutely appalled by the way I was treated by the receptionist, all because I have insurance through OHP, despite the fact that who I have dental insurance through isn’t even relevant seeing as I’d be entirely paying out of pocket.
I began my telling her that I have 2 molars that both need root canals and crowns and that, although I had dental insurance, I’d be paying entorely out of pocket due to a lack of coverage. Because I’d be covering the cost myself I was hoping she could give me a rough estimate of how much all this would cost me. In response, she told me that her office didn’t accept OHP, so I’d need to call someone else. So I explained again that OHP wouldn’t cover the cost of the dental work and I’d have to pay out of pocket regardless of which dental office I went to. I simply wanted an estimate of how much the root canals and crowns would cost me there. I also said that if she could only give me an estimate for a crown (because Dr. Denise didn’t do root canals in office, a common occurrence), that was fine with me. I could find and call an endodontist myself. She spoke over much of what I said, but must have heard me say something about an endodontist because she replied with a stern warning about the cost of a root canal being «like $ 1,000-or more!!» When I tried telling her that I was expecting to pay that much-​if not more-​she spoke over me again to tell me that I should call the Multnomah County Dental Clinic down the street. Again, I told her that I was expecting to pay $ 1,000 or more for a root canal, but would really appreciate an estimate on the cost of a crown. She told me that a root canal and crown would be very expensive (with the implication that it would be much too expensive for me) and so I should just call the Multnomah County Dental Clinic. They might even be able to charge me on a sliding scale based on my income. By this point I decided that I wouldn’t want to go to a dental office that considers me to be inferior simply because I have insurance through OHP, anyway. I ended up taking the number for the Multnomah Dental Office because who knows, they might actually treat me with some dignity, thanked her, and ended the call.
I’m fully aware that two root canals and crowns will be expensive. That’s why I’m price-​checking. I’ve spoken with at least fifteen high rated offices so far and that’s the first one that wouldn’t see me simply because I’m insured through OHP. I could completely understand if I planned on using my insurance and they didn’t accept it. But when I’m paying for everything out of pocket, I really don’t see why it matters that I have OHP. I can’t see any other reason why this office wouldn’t want me as a patient other than the fact that I’m low-​income and that’s just utterly deplorable.

I wanted to get a deep cleaning done by the end of this year to use up my benefits. Total time would be four hours so I had to split my appointment into two so that I’d have two two-​hour appointments instead. They only had one 2-​hour slot open for me for the rest of the year so I was bummed I’d only get that one appointment and I’d have to use my benefits for next year.
Well, they called me up to let me know another spot had opened up and they kindly let me take that spot. So now, I’m all set for the rest of the year! I’m excited to get my deep cleaning done.