We arrived an hour early and then stiffed the dentist $200

We didn’t really stiff the dentist. What happened was:

I misread a Tuesday text message. The message said today’s appointment was at 1:50 p.m. The message was sent at 12:50 p.m., and I read the sent time as the appointment time. Then the receptionist said today’s CT scan would cost $198.

My wife said, “We were told we had paid for everything four months ago.” The receptionist said the dentist ordered the CT scan after we made our payment (of $13,000, plus $7,000 to another dentist, who made new uppers). I said, “As much cash as we shelled out, I’m rather surprised at a new $200 charge.”

My wife added that we had not been informed of a new CT scan. She said, “Bob got scan when we were here before, but no one told us he would get another one.” She handed her credit card to the receptionist.

The receptionist apologized for the lack of information. She called the finance officer and passed on our comments on not being informed of a new CT scan and an additional charge. The finance officer said we would not be charged for the CT scan.

After the scan, my wife and I went to the waiting area. We expected, from our last visit four months ago, that today’s appointment was to open my gums to the five posts imbedded at my last visit. We also expected that new uppers would be attached to the posts. I anticipated the eating of real food for the first time in 18 months.

Not to be.

We were in the waiting area about 10 minutes when the CT scan technician told us, “OK, everything is good. We’re done.”

Wait, wait. What about the opening of gums and attachment of new uppers? That, we were told, will not be scheduled until the dentist studies the CT scan done today.

That was not what my wife and I understood from our last visit, but it isn’t like we can insist the dentist slice open my gums and attach new teeth now. Maybe in a week, maybe in another month, maybe three.

That’s fine. As long as there is not another charge waiting.